The Department of Political Science of the University of Antwerp invites applications for
Two PhD positions for research on interest groups
Background:
Interest groups are important political actors, which face a changing political environment as a result of globalisation and internationalisation. Obtaining a thorough understanding of how interest groups cope with such challenges is important in explaining their role in democratic policy making. Why, for instance, are some interest groups better capable of exerting influence in a multi-level political system than others? Or, why do some groups seek access to only national governments and others to European institutions as well? Answering these and related questions is the overarching aim of the Odysseus project. The available PhD-positions concern two sub-fields within the larger project:
I The politics of EU territorial lobbying.
This project studies the European strategies of interest groups that are territorially defined (such as the port of Antwerp, Schiphol airport or Scottish interests).
II Multi-level venue shopping of interest groups
This project entails a comparative research on how interest groups make use of multiple access opportunities situated at different levels of government (national, regional, European, international).
Candidates write a dissertation on one of the above mentioned topics. Candidates are also expected to be an active member of the research group on European and International Politics by contributing to its collective research and fulfilling small supportive and coordinating tasks.
Research environment:
Several scholars already participate in this Odysseus-project, which is embedded in the European and International Politics Research Group. They conduct research into interest groups strategies at the WTO, population dynamics of interest groups, and strategies of interest groups to seek access to political and administrative elites. This research group is part of the Political Science Department. Apart from European and international politics, researchers at the department are involved in research into the areas of comparative politics; media, movements and politics; diplomacy and geopolitics, and public administration. What we have to offer is, in sum:
§ an interesting research area and dissertation topic for a period of two years. The appointment will be prolonged with two years after a positive evaluation;
§ involvement in a highly prestigious Odysseus Program of the Flanders Science Foundation (http://www.fwo.be/en/FWOOdysseus.aspx);
§ a working environment with young and entrepreneurial colleagues;
§ the opportunity to participate in training and educational programs within an international academic network.
Requirements:
We expect that candidates:
§ can independently conduct a research project, like to work within a team and are proactive in supporting the research group;
§ hold a master degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Economics or in another related field within the social science (candidates who graduate this year are also invited to apply);
§ have obtained excellent grades during their studies;
§ have good writing skills;
§ have a visible interest in qualitative and quantitative research methods;
§ have a special interest in theoretical issues, in particular related to political institutions and political organizations;
§ have a good command of English (in case of project II on multilevel venue-shopping, also a good command of Dutch and French or the willingness to learn Dutch and/or French);
Application (deadline April 15st 2009):
§ application form (via http://www.ua.ac.be/vacatures) or: tel.: 03 265 31 53/54);
§ letter of application;
§ curriculum Vitae and a list of grades obtained;
§ two letters of recommendation;
§ a written essay (three pages in English) in which you critically discuss the project description which you can obtain from Caelesta Poppelaars (for contact details see below). In this essay, you sketch your ideas on the theoretical and methodological approach you would pursue when conducting research into one of the sub-areas outlined above.
Please send your application to:
Professor Jan Beyers
Departement of Political Science
Meerminne Building, M. 285
St. Jacobstraat 2
2000 Antwerp
For more information, contact professor Jan Beyers (jan.beyers@ua.ac.be) or Caelesta Poppelaars (caelesta.poppelaars@ua.ac.be).