Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Political Science

The University of Gothenburg meets societal challenges with diverse knowledge. With 58,000 students and 6,800 employees, the university is a large and inspiring workplace. Strong research and attractive educational programs attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and perspectives, the University of Gothenburg contributes to a better future. The Department of Political Science is an international academic environment that welcomes students, researchers, and staff from all over the globe. Our research covers topics such as political institutions, elections, public opinion and democracy, international and European politics, environmental policy, corruption, and political ideas. The Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg is ranked as the top in Sweden and among the top 10-15 in Europe in its field, according to the global Shanghai ranking of academic subjects for 2024. We annually organize a large number of research seminars and workshops within the department's various research areas. We offer education at all levels in both Swedish and English. Approximately 1,400 individuals study with us, and we have around 170 employees. More information about the department can be found on our website www.pol.gu.se. The Department of Political Science is now seeking a postdoctoral researcher, funded by an ERC Starting Grant. This is a two-year full-time position that offers candidates the opportunity to participate in a current and ambitious research project on the behavioral consequences of national economic improvement. Read more about the position and apply for available positions at the University of Gothenburg. **Job Responsibilities** The postdoctoral position aims to provide the employee with an early opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher after obtaining their doctoral degree and to create conditions for further qualification. The person hired as a postdoctoral researcher will primarily conduct research. Teaching may also be included in the job responsibilities, but no more than one-fifth of the working time. The postdoctoral researcher will be employed at the Department of Political Science as part of the research group and is expected to participate in research collaboration with Florence So and other members of the project group. The postdoctoral researcher’s work will be a crucial factor in successfully completing the project. We expect the successful candidate to collaborate with the project group in the initial phase of the project – the mechanisms through which individuals translate national economic conditions into their personal economic situation – with the aim of developing a systematic link between the national economy and personal economic well-being. As such, they are expected to analyze a wide range of panel surveys and cross-border surveys to investigate how individuals' assessments of the economy align with various economic indicators, as well as how groups of individuals prioritize different economic indicators. Additionally, the candidate is expected to jointly design innovative, original surveys to reveal heterogeneous effects of different economic indicators on individuals' economic well-being, with the goal of understanding how each indicator "activates" individuals in their interactions with politics. We also expect the postdoctoral researcher to conduct independent, high-quality research that aligns with the project's objectives and contributes to publications in leading international research channels. The successful candidate will be an important member of a groundbreaking, ambitious research project and a supportive, collaborative, and dynamic research team. They will also be well-integrated into a large, international, and dynamic institution and its various research environments, such as Gothenburg's research group for elections, public opinion, and political behavior (GEPOP) and the Quality of Government Institute (QoG). The postdoctoral researcher is encouraged to form independent research collaborations with other members of the department. There will be excellent opportunities to develop further research ideas within the project's objectives as well as independent research agendas. The successful candidate may be eligible to apply for a Marie Curie Individual Fellowship, which will be administered by the University of Gothenburg. The project funds conference participation, data collection, and additional career training and will create opportunities for the postdoctoral researcher to develop robust, independent research networks – all of which are important for career development in academia. **Eligibility** To be eligible for the postdoctoral position, candidates must hold a PhD in political science or a closely related field by the time the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to those who have obtained their degree no more than three years prior to the application deadline. Candidates who obtained their degree earlier may also be considered if there are special reasons. For more information on eligibility, see the Employment Regulations for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg GU 2024/1687. **Employment** This is a fixed-term employment for 2 years with the possibility of extension. The position is full-time (100%) based at the Department of Political Science. Start date is August 1, 2026, or as agreed. Applications must be submitted by: January 7, 2026. The university actively works towards a work environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings to the organization. The university applies individual salary setting. According to the regulations of the National Archives, the university is obliged to store application documents for two years