PhD Candidate 12 – Economy and Labour Markets at the Urban and Rural Interface

Social actors.

EuroMedMig PhD Network seeks to promote a sound community of leading Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the field of migration and refugees in the Mediterranean region, offering a meeting point for a variety of methodologies, disciplines and levels of analysis, connecting the new generation of outstanding researchers from the South, North, East and West of the Mediterranean.

The core philosophy is to promote multilateral knowledge production and exchange, with 10 partner universities and 6 associate partners from all rims of the Mediterranean, which ensures a plurality of perspectives by incorporating the Mediterranean as a regional scale of migration research with shared epistemological principles, avoiding research generalisations and knowledge-centrism, and with intercultural and humanitarian values.

The main objective of EuroMedMig PhD Network is twofold:

⇒ to ensure an innovative research agenda on Mediterranean migrations for the coming years, and

⇒ to create promising avenues for further research by bringing together a community of top young researchers from all shores of the Mediterranean and a variety of topics and research lines, disciplines and methodologies.

The EuroMedMig PhD network is structured around three main guiding principles

• Pillar 1: Promoting Research Excellence: EuroMedMig PhD Network promotes Mediterranean migration studies and seeks to be a platform of researchers sharing epistemological principles away from Eurocentrism and generalisations when researching migrations in the Mediterranean. It facilitates cross-discipline approaches, innovative policy frameworks related to Mediterranean human mobility, diversity management, integration principles, geopolitical thinking and advances migration governance frameworks.
• Pillar 2: Developing Advanced Training for ESRs interested in Mediterranean migration studies in the form of thematic and methodological training courses and lectures. It also seeks to develop advanced learning through interaction with policy makers, CSOs, media, consultants and experts specialised in Mediterranean Migration Studies.
• Pillar 3: Fostering Policy and Social Dialogues: Promoting evidence-based research and social/policy dialogue between practitioners and stakeholders, and ESRs on Mediterranean Migration challenges.

This call looks at promising pioneering research projects with innovative research contributions within THEME 4[1]:

ECONOMY AND LABOUR MARKET:

Mediterranean migrations have significant implications for the economy and labour markets in the region. Some key points to tentatively consider include: shaping labour market dynamics (migrants contribute to the labour force, filling gaps in various sectors and often by engaging in low-skilled or manual labour, including agriculture, construction, and domestic work), high skilled migrants working for the global Mediterranean economy, positive and negative economic impact assessment (businesses creation and entrepreneurial trans-Mediterranean ventures stimulating national/regional/local economies), so-called irregular migrants and the informal economy (this may refer to work that is not regulated, lacks social protection, and often offers low wages and poor working conditions), or successful integration of migrants into the labour market. Jobs and labour resources, including access to education, language training, and skills development programs enhancing migrants' employability, will also be considered. Policies that promote the recognition of foreign qualifications and skills can also contribute to better labour market outcomes for migrants.

For further information: https://www.upf.edu/web/euromedmig-phd-network

[1] The positions for Themes 1, 2 and 3 were fulfilled in a previous call.

PhD Candidate 12

Research scope: Economy and Labour Markets at the Urban and Rural Interface

Description: This research project seeks to decipher the interconnectedness between Economy and the Urban and Rural interface. The Rural-Urban divide needs to be assessed when analysing economic impacts linked to migration, as well as subsequent labour market restructuration. How are agricultural zones also affected by migration? Regarding agriculture and other working spheres, informal economy will also be analysed, as well as the vulnerabilities it brings to migrants working under no protection.

Host institution: University of Sousse

Supervisor: Hassen Boubakri (hassen.boubakri@flsh.u-sousse.tn)

Terms and conditions of the contract:

• Institution funding the contract, title and reference of the project Organisation:
  Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01-01):
  • EuroMedMig PhD Network.
  • REF: CPIS-PREDOC-PIPF-2026-04
  • Official number reference: 101169465, European Commission
  • Program: Horizon Europe (2021-2027)
  • Research Line: Migration, Mediterranean and Governance
• Wage: wage is as stated by the European Commission for all Marie-Curie Doctoral Networks. For indicative wages, which will differ according to the country and whether the mobility or family allowance applies to the selected candidate, further indicative information can be found in the following Horizon Europe official MSCA document (please particularly check p.109 and p.140): https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf. Bear in mind that the indicated amounts are the total recruitment costs (gross salaries + the social security coverage to be ensured by the employer), and therefore cannot be equated to gross salaries.
• Type of contract: Full-time (100%) contract as a university employee with full social security coverage.
• Job location: the DC will be required to be based at the host institutions indicated above (university of Sousse)
• The estimated starting date is January 2027 to February 2029, with the possibility of an extension in line with any extension of the project.
• Co-supervision and Consortium Synergy Encouraged
  To maximize the impact and interdisciplinary nature of the research, co-supervision with other partners within the consortium will be actively encouraged and promoted for this PhD position. This approach allows the candidate to benefit from joint expertise, shared resources, cross-sectoral collaboration, and international secondments of up to 12 months at another consortium partner's institution.

Impartiality principles and protocol for conflicts of interest

Where to apply

Website: https://www.upf.edu/web/politiques/ofertes-de-treball

Requirements

Research Field: Political sciences » Science and society

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

General eligibility criteria

• In order to be admitted as a EuroMedMig Marie Curie PhD candidate, candidates must provide evidence that they have obtained, or will have obtained before the start of the PhD, an accredited graduate/Master’s degree in the field of Social Sciences that enables them to access a doctoral programme at the host institution.
• Candidates must not be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. Candidates who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis before the date of recruitment are also considered ineligible, even if the doctoral degree has not yet been formally awarded
• Candidates of any nationality are invited to apply, provided that they comply with the MSCA Doctoral Networks mobility rule. At the date of recruitment, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment date. In determining eligibility, periods of compulsory national service, time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention, and short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

Internal Application form(s) needed

Form for Students_ EuroMedMig PhD Network Call.pdf

English

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Additional Information

Eligibility criteria

General eligibility criteria

• In order to be admitted as a EuroMedMig Marie Curie PhD candidate, candidates must provide evidence that they have obtained, or will have obtained before the start of the PhD, an accredited graduate/Master’s degree in the field of Social Sciences that enables them to access a doctoral programme at the host institution.
• Candidates must not be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. Candidates who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis before the date of recruitment are also considered ineligible, even if the doctoral degree has not yet been formally awarded
• Candidates of any nationality are invited to apply, provided that they comply with the MSCA Doctoral Networks mobility rule. At the date of recruitment, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment date. In determining eligibility, periods of compulsory national service, time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention, and short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

The following describes the main documents to be sent and evaluated, as well as their evaluation criteria:

• Curriculum Vitae 30%
• Complete CV including details of any information supporting the submission (e.g. links to papers produced during the masters’ courses, publications, participation in seminars and research debates, etc.)
• Research project proposal 40%
• Clearly indicate the position for which you are applying by ticking the appropriate box. Candidates can only apply to 1 position.
• The maximum length of the proposal is 3,000 words (excluding references).
• 1. Provisional title of the research
• 2. General literature review
• 3. Research questions, aims and main theoretical framework
• 4. Main innovations and contribution to migration Mediterranean studies
• 5. Research design, sources and methodology
• 6. Expected policy and/or societal contribution
• 7. Research schedule, including planned secondments to other partner universities and associated partners.
• 8. List of references
• Motivation Letter 20%
• The maximum length of the letter is 1,000 words. Candidates are encouraged to include the following information:
• 1) Vision for academic career in the medium and long term.
• 2) Expectations for the training received to contribute to the advancement of Mediterranean migration studies.
• 3) Brief overview of your career achievements to date.
• Letters of recommendation 10%
• Two letters of recommendation are required.
• In order to ensure the optimal treatment and security of the recommendation letters, it is the responsibility of the candidate to request them via the online application system. In doing so, the candidate is required to indicate the email address of the person or persons whom they wish to be recommended by. The individual in question will then receive an email notification indicating that the candidate has requested a recommendation letter from them. The referee will upload the letter to the online application system. It should be noted that addresses of a non-institutional nature, such as those ending in Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, and so forth, will not be accepted.

Selection process

The selection process will be divided into two phases:

1) The first stage is an assessment of the candidate's application

2) Shortlisted candidates (scoring above 70%) will be invited for a virtual interview.

Application Materials and Assessment Criteria

To apply for these positions, candidates must send the documentation by Interfolio through the following link: https://apply.interfolio.com/194918

The following documents are to be uploaded:

• ID card or passport
• Candidacy form (to be found in the Interfolio Platform)
• A copy of the undergraduate and graduate degree/diploma or certification/proof of degree completion (Bachelor degree and Master’s degree). If you have not yet completed your graduate/master's studies when formalising application, you will need to provide us with the following documents: a signed declaration of obtaining your graduate/master's degree before the commencement of the PhD programme. Combine all documents into a single PDF file (“Degrees_Lastname,Name.pdf”).
• A copy of the official final grade transcript, both of bachelor’s and master’s diploma. If the diploma or transcripts are not issued in Catalan, Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, or Italian, a sworn translation into English must also be submitted. Combine both transcripts into a single PDF file (“Grades_Lastname,Name.pdf”)
• CV (“CV_Lastname,Name.pdf”)
• Research proposal (“Proposal_Lastname,Name.pdf”)
• Motivation letter (“Letter_Lastname,Name.pdf”)
• Recommendation Letters: Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation, preferably from different universities. If both letters are from the same institution, they should come from distinct departments. Letters must be compiled into a single PDF file (“Recommendation_Lastname, Name.pdf”).
• Proof of English language (B2). In order to be exempt from accreditation, being English your mother tongue or having studied in that language, you must upload a brief letter justifying the reasons why you request to be exempted from this requirement.
• Form for Students_EuroMedMig PhD Network

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: University of Sousse

Country: Tunisia

City: Sousse

Contact

City: Barcelona

Website: https://www.upf.edu/web/politiques

Street: Ramon Trias Fargas