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The Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals invites applications for one 3.5 year full time pre-doc position (training of research personnel contract-FPI). Successful applicants would work as part of the research project “The social politics of risk in Africa (AFRICA's RISKS)”, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Proyectos de I+D de Generación de Conocimiento). Candidates would work under the supervision (doctoral and project-related) of Dr. Frank Borge Wietzke, the PI of the grant. The successful applicant will become a core member of AFRICA’s RISKS’ project team, which will include the Principal Investigator and other external partners.

The project explores the relationship between individual and country-specific experiences of risk (economic, climatic, health-related) and the adoption of social protection policies like cash transfers, food aid, and social insurance programs in Africa. We pay particular attention to the hitherto understudied demand-side of social protection policies in the region. When and why do people in the region demand social assistance from their governments? And how do these expectations vary with previous experiences of risk, government services, and/or local social and institutional contexts?

We are seeking candidates, preferably but not exclusively, with strong quantitative training in political science, economics, sociology, or related disciplines. Those working in the area of social policy are particularly encouraged to apply. The doctoral research of the selected candidate will be expected to contribute to the project through comparative country case studies or quantitative analyses. Those with appropriate skills will further be invited to contribute to survey experiments about the determinants of social policy preferences that will be carried out under the project. Excellent English skills (both oral and written fluency) are a requirement.

Unless they are already part of a PhD program at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona or Universitat de Barcelona, successful applicants will be requested to apply for the PhD Programme in Political and Social Sciences at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), under the supervision of Dr. Frank Borge Wietzke.

Remuneration is commensurate with a PhD grant under the Spanish government fellowship system (contratos de formación de personal investigador predoctoral). The start date should be no later than 1st July 2024.

Applications must be submitted by 5 June, 2024.

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

• A current CV
• Academic transcripts
• A cover letter outlining your research ideas and suitability for this position

Grant PID2022-140461NB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ESF+