PhD student in Sociology

Two doctoral positions, with full salary, coming up at the Department of Sociology with the placement at the Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI).

Closing date: 8 October 2015.

Project description
The Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, invites applications for a doctoral student position in sociology within the Level of Living Project at the Swedish Institute for Social Research in cooperation with the YOUNG-project at The Institute for Futures Studies. The position will be filled conditional on external funding (decision before the end of 2015).

The project involves research focusing on the living conditions on children and youth, with a particular focus on socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities, covering topics such as integration, education, child poverty, family structure, social relations and mental well-being. A central component of the project is the CILS4EU dataset (http://cils4.eu), following young people in four countries over time, but the project has access also to other high-quality survey and register data.

The successful candidate is expected to develop and pursue a unique PhD project within this research orientation, using quantitative methods. Preference will be given to applicants whose research plan and interests have a good fit with the project’s topics, documented ability in statistical analysis of micro-data, as well as knowledge about theories within social stratification and inequality research.

More information about the YOUNG project can be found at www.iffs.se/en/project/children-and-family/, and about the Level of Living Project (LNU) at www.sofi.su.se/english/LNU.

Qualification requirements
In order to meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

In section 2 of the Syllabus for doctoral studies in Sociology (see www.sociology.su.se) you find the requirements described in detail.

Write a short description (maximum 1 000 words) outlining your intended field of research for the doctoral dissertation.

Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. The primary assessment criteria in appointing a doctoral student should be the capacity to benefit from the training.

Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity:

• ability to successfully complete doctoral studies. Special attention is devoted to the quality of the thesis and other relevant research, as well as the research plan for the dissertation.
• documented knowledge in the relevant subject area and/or related areas.
• documented skills in statistical analysis.
• good analytical abilities.
• good writing skills.

Short-listed candidates will be interviewed.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are available at: www.regelboken.su.se.

Terms of employment
The position covers four years of full-time studies. The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study.

Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Please, contact the Director of Doctoral Studies at studierektorF@sociology.su.se or for questions regarding the project, Professor Carina Mood, carina.mood@sofi.su.se.

Union representatives
Anqi Lindblom-Ahlm (Saco-S) and Lisbeth Häggberg (Fackförbundet ST), telephone: +46 8 16 20 00 (operator), Gunnar Stenberg (SEKO), telephone: +46 70 316 43 41, and PhD student representative: do@sus.su.se.

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University’s recruitment system by clicking the “Apply” button. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

Your contact details and personal data*
Text (max. 1000 words) as mentioned above
Your highest degree*
Your language skills
Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

Cover letter*
CV* – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of degree projects/theses
Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
– why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
– why and how you wish to complete the project
– what makes you suitable for the project in question
Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements* (no more than 6 files)
Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
Degree projects/theses (no more than 3 files).

Items marked with an asterisk (*) are obligatory.

The instructions for applicants are available at: Instructions – Applicants.

You are welcome to apply!

Project description
The Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, invites applications for a doctoral student position in sociology within the Level of Living Project (LNU) at the Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI). The position involves research focusing on social stratification and inequality, e.g. the emergence and reproduction of unequal distributions of resources between groups, over the life course and across generations. The successful candidates, within this research orientation, will have ample opportunity to develop and pursue a unique PhD project through access to high quality register and survey data. Assessment of applicants will be based on quality of the research proposal and on documented ability in statistical analysis of micro-data, as well as knowledge about theories within social stratification and inequality research.

More information about the Level of Living Project (LNU) and related subprojects can be found on SOFI’s website www.sofi.su.se/english/LNU.