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The Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals (IBEI) is seeking applications for two doctoral candidates positions under the MSCA-DN Understanding Latin American Challenges in the 21st Century (LAC-EU). The selected candidates will be employed by IBEI and will be required to enrol in the PhD training programme at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra.

Funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Doctoral Networks, the LAC-EU doctoral network will establish a novel, comprehensive and interdisciplinary framework to understand LAC and its relationship with the EU, fostering respectful, non-Eurocentric research and engagement. It will enable a better understanding of current challenges in Latin American governance and support sustainable, equitable and successful relations between the EU and LAC.

LAC-EU is an integrated four-year doctoral network programme, providing world-class, interdisciplinary research and training in social and political sciences, law, and the humanities, as well as research exchanges and policy-relevant secondments in the EU and LAC. Research themes include the rise of populism, democracy, gender rights, trade, migration, health, global cities, sustainability and green finance, and cultural studies.

The LAC-EU doctoral programme comprises an interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral network composed of seven leading higher education institutions and key, highly relevant civil society organizations, and policy partners from a range of European and LAC countries. It offers an exceptional combination of academic and research-related training and transferable skills to deliver scientific excellence, occupational mobility, and preparation for lifelong, policy-relevant learning for a new generation of researchers.

Network members

• Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, FLACSO Argentina, Universitat de Barcelona, Sciences Po, University of Oslo, and University of York.
• Associated partners: Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona Centre for International Affairs, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Universidad de Chile, EU-LAC Foundation, Instituto Português de Relações Internacionais -Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, FLACSO-Ecuador, Université de Poitiers, Democracia Abierta/Open Democracy.

Available positions at IBEI

• Fellow: R01
• Host institution: IBEI – UPF PhD Programme
• Duration: 36 months
• Start date: October 2024
• Project title: LAC involvement in transnational and global cities networks
• Supervisor: Jacint Jordana (IBEI-UPF)
• Objectives: This PhD project analyses the involvement of LAC global cities in global governance, specifically in relation to climate change. It also evaluates their strategies for participating in global governance networks and multilateral conversations. The project aims to identify and assess collaboration initiatives between LAC and EU cities in global networks.

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• Fellow: R02
• Host institution: IBEI – UPF PhD Programme
• Duration: 36 months
• Start date: October 2024
• Project title: Gender, social policy, and trade in LAC regional governance
• Supervisor: Andrea C. Bianculli (IBEI)
• Objectives: This PhD project explores and compares the principle of equality and the gender perspective in LAC, while also assessing the impact of EU policies and instruments on gender and social issues. The thesis aims to improve the analytical and empirical understanding of the challenges of achieving gender equality in LAC at the regional and interregional levels of governance.

Benefits

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellows are offered a full-time, three-year contract that includes full social security benefits, a highly competitive monthly living allowance, as well as mobility and family allowances. Salary and working conditions correspond to the criteria set out in the MSCA-DN call.

The programme offers students an exceptional opportunity to engage in network-wide training and acquire a broad range of research-focused and transferable skills at various locations across Europe and LAC. This includes working with leading scientists and experts in the field.

Requirements

We seek motivated researchers who hold a Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, Law or equivalent (early-stage researchers) and possess excellent empirical and theoretical skills, as well as good teamwork abilities. Proficiency in both English and Spanish is a requirement.

Doctoral candidates’ recruitment is subject to the mobility rule. Applicants may be nationals of Member States, Associated Countries, or any other third country. Additionally, the applicant must not have lived or worked in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to their date of recruitment, excluding short stays such as holidays.

Applicants who hold a doctorate or have more than 4 years of full-time research experience are ineligible.

Final candidates should ideally begin their PhD enrolment/employment in October 2024.

Applications must be submitted by 13 May 2024 (10.00 am Barcelona time)

🖊️ Applications must be submitted through the Application Form and it should include:

• Cover letter (in English)
• Current CV (in English)
• Project proposal based on one of the topics (2000-2500 words).
• Names and contact details of 3 referees who can comment on the applicants’ capabilities and abilities.

For further information, please contact laceu@ibei.org

   

Grant Agreement Number 101120060