Postdoctoral Fellow in Political Science

University of Gothenburg

Institution: University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Department: Political Science
Reference Number: PAR 2025/838
Employment Type: Temporary, full-time (100%)
Duration: 24 months (2 years)
Start Date: 1 August 2026 or by agreement
Application Deadline: 7 January 2026

About the Department

• The Department of Political Science is internationally recognized, ranked as the best in Sweden and among the top 10–15 in Europe in its field (Shanghai Ranking 2024).
• Research covers political institutions, elections, public opinion, democracy, international politics, environmental politics, corruption, and political ideas.
• Offers education at all levels in both Swedish and English and organizes numerous seminars and workshops.

Department website: www.pol.gu.se

Project Overview

Project: “More Money, Different Problems? People’s Engagement with Politics during Good Economic Times” (ECONENGAGE)
Funding: ERC Starting Grant
Project Lead: Associate Professor Florence So
Project Goal: Examine the behavioral consequences of national economic improvement on political engagement and democratic attitudes.

Key Research Questions:

• How do national economic improvements affect individual political engagement beyond voting?
• How do individuals translate national economic conditions into personal financial well-being?
• How does economic improvement influence attitudes toward democratic institutions?

Methods: Observational survey analysis, original surveys, experimental designs, panel and cross-national survey analysis.

Project Website: https://www.florenceso.org/projects/

Responsibilities

• Conduct research as part of the ECONENGAGE team, focusing on connecting national economic conditions to personal economic situations.
• Analyze large-scale survey data and design innovative surveys to uncover heterogeneous effects.
• Contribute to independent research within the broader political economy domain.
• Collaborate with project team members and integrate into research environments such as the Gothenburg Research Group on Elections, Public Opinion, and Political Behavior (GEPOP) and the Quality of Governance (QoG) Institute.
• Participate in teaching (up to 20% of working time) if required.
• Contribute to publications in top international journals.

Eligibility

• PhD in political science or a closely related field (e.g., economics) completed no later than the employment decision date.
• Preference for candidates who completed their PhD within the last 3 years; candidates with earlier completion may be considered under special circumstances.
• Strong quantitative skills, including survey data analysis and survey design.
• Research expertise in political economy, political behavior, or public opinion is an asset.
• Excellent English proficiency (spoken and written).
• Ability to work collaboratively in an international research team.

Assessment Criteria

• Research skills and potential to produce high-quality, innovative, and high-impact research
• Ability to contribute to the ECONENGAGE project and departmental research environment
• Personal suitability: detailed-oriented, problem-solving, collaborative, and strong communication skills

Application Requirements

• Letter of application (max 2 pages) demonstrating fit with project goals
• Research proposal (2–3 pages, excluding references)
• CV with list of publications and working papers
• Writing sample (article length)
• List of at least three references with contact details

Submit applications via: University of Gothenburg recruitment portal

Deadline: 7 January 2026

Contact Information

• Project Questions: Florence So – florence.so@gu.se
• Employment Procedure Questions: Helena Jensen – helena.jensen@gu.se

International Applicant Information:

• Welcome Services for International Staff
• Living in Gothenburg