Category: Fellowships

PhD Studentship on Reframing in Mediation (Switzerland)

The Institute of Argumentation, Linguistics and Semiotics (IALS) of USI Università della Svizzera italiana invites applications for a PhD position (100%, 3 years). The PhD candidate will develop his or her dissertation within the project: “The inferential dynamics of reframing within dispute mediators’ argumentation”, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. This dissertation will be supervised by Prof. Sara Greco.

The research project
The selected candidate will develop his or her dissertation in the framework of a research project directed by Prof. Sara Greco; this project proposes a novel interpretation of reframing as an argumentative competence of dispute mediators. The PhD candidate will be equally expected to substantially contribute to activities related to this research project, both at the scientific and at the organizational level. The project “The inferential dynamics of reframing within dispute mediators’ argumentation” is part of a broader stream of research concerning argumentation in dispute mediation that is carried out at the IALS. Within this project, regular interaction with professional mediators in Switzerland will be required.

Place of work
Lugano. Availability to travel to other parts of Switzerland and abroad (for purposes of collaboration and research) is required.

The IALS institute represents a lively research environment for a PhD student who specializes in argumentation. Interaction with several researchers specializing on argumentation in different contexts, as well as interdisciplinary interactions with colleagues inside and outside the Faculty is an asset for a PhD candidate who wants to work on argumentation in a specific communication field such as conflict resolution. The candidate will also take part in the activities of the Laboratory for the study of Argumentation in the Contexts of the Public Sphere (LACoPS).

Requirements
• A Master (or equivalent title) in argumentation, communication, language sciences, social sciences, psychology, conflict studies, or related disciplines.
• High personal interest in the analysis of discourse and argumentation. Proven attitude for a fine-grained analysis of communicative interaction. Inclination towards the study of argumentation, discourse analysis, and the linguistic specificities of the discourse of conflict resolution.
• Interest for dispute mediation and other conflict resolution practices; nuanced understanding of the human and social value of conflict resolution.
• Fluency in English is necessary. Fluency in French is also strictly required, as the PhD candidate will conduct his or her research in collaboration with a board of experts, including academics and mediators, who are largely based in the French part of Switzerland. Knowledge of Italian will be considered an added value; in any case, it is expected that the selected candidate will learn to communicate in Italian during the PhD.
• Motivation to engage in the elaboration of a PhD dissertation. Ability to work in team and autonomy in scheduling research steps. Interest for teaching and availability to collaborate with colleagues (engage in scientific dialogue, listen and think critically) are required. The ability to establish good working relations with professional mediators will be considered an important asset.

Job description
The PhD candidate will participate in all phases of the research project. He or she will have the task of setting up a collection of data for his or her dissertation, while at the same time pursuing the goals of the project. Data collection will require interaction with professional mediators in Switzerland.

The PhD candidate will write a dissertation related to the research topic of the project. He or she will collaborate in the organization of scientific and dissemination activities related to the project. It is expected that he or she will regularly collaborate with researchers at the IALS as well as other scholars who are in the scientific board of the project.

The PhD candidate is also asked to present papers at scientific conferences, and produce publications for scientific journals.

Contract terms
The project is financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the PhD student will be receiving a salary according to the SNF policies.

Starting date
1st March 2017 (at the earliest). However, the position will be kept open until a suitable candidate has been found.

Application
Applications must include: a motivation letter, a complete CV, copies of university titles, an electronic version of a research work (Master thesis or other scientific publication). The latter must be accompanied by a short summary in English (1 page maximum). A support letter written by the Master thesis supervisor (or another Professor who knows the candidate well) is equally welcome.

Applications must be sent to Prof. Sara Greco in electronic format (sara.greco AT usi.ch). For any further information about this position, please contact her.

Deadline for applications
The deadline for applications is February 10, 2017; but applications will be received until the position is filled.

PhD Studentships: Centre for Trust, Peace & Social Relations (UK)

PhD Studentships: Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations
Coventry University

Funding for: UK Students, EU Students, International Students
Closes: 17th February 2017

As part of a continuing programme of expansion of research activity in these areas, Coventry University is offering full-time PhD studentships to well-qualified individuals, to start in September 2017.

Proposals invited

We welcome applications with proposals for PhD research projects in distinct and cross disciplinary areas related to our current research themes.

These are:
• Communities, Representation and Inclusion
• Faith and Peaceful Relations
• Global Development
• Migration, Displacement and Belonging
• Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation
• Protective Security and Resilience
• Transnational and Maritime Security
• Trust and Workplace Relations

In addition to these broad themes, we would also welcome proposals on the following topics:
• Gender and development or health and development
• Humanitarianism in conflict & disaster
• Transitional justice
• Trust in transitional societies
• Natural resource governance
• Organised crime and the privatisation of security
• Social movements and democratisation
• Religion, peace and conflict
• Religious diversity, inter-faith dialogue or intercultural dialogue
• Faith, social policy and social justice
• Religious literacy and education
• Migration and social cohesion
• Trusting individuals and trusting institutions.

We are looking for proposals that challenge existing ideas in these areas and expand current thinking, offering original insights and approaches by undertaking significant and rigorous research. We welcome PhD proposals that link to more than one member of staff’s research interests or are in related areas. It is standard practice for supervision teams to consist of three staff members. For further information about potential supervisors interests and expertise, visit the CTPSR website.

The full-time PhD studentships will cover UK/EU or overseas tuition fee equivalent, and an annual stipend for the duration of the studentship. The fee-only scholarships will cover tuition fee ONLY.

About the host Centre/Department

The Centre for Trust, Peace, and Social Relations has over 60 full-time research staff supported by a team of professional support staff. Our staff are extremely well-connected and are called upon to contribute their expertise on the national and international stage, as advisers to governments and international bodies or at conferences worldwide.

We take a multi-disciplinary approach to our work that brings together creative thinking on concerns of trust and trust repair, peacebuilding, peace and reconciliation and on the contemporary challenges of societal relationships in a diverse and connected world. Our portfolio of excellent and impactful research seeks to change lives and enhance well-being. We convene and contribute to public debates, provide effective policy guidance at local, national, regional and global levels and generate international collaborative research through our global networks.

Candidate specification
• Entry criteria for applicants to PHD (standard)
• A taught Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, involving a dissertation of standard length written in English in the relevant subject area with a minimum of a merit profile: 60% overall module average and a minimum of a 60% dissertation mark.

PLUS
• The potential to engage in innovative research and to normally complete the PhD within a three-year period of study
• A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component)

In all cases the most recent and highest qualification attained will be that utilised for assessment purposes.

Additional items for candidate specification
• A first or good upper second class undergraduate degree in a related social science or in the humanities and a strong interest in pursuing research in this field.
How to apply: Application form and covering letter, plus a 2000-word proposal addressing the research theme

PhD funding award: Bursary and/or tuition fees – UK/EU/International
Start date: Sept 2017
Duration of study: Full-Time – maximum term three years 6 months
Interview dates: 06/04/2017 – 07/04/2017
Enquiries may be addressed to: Academic enquiries may be address to Professor Matt Qvortrup, Head of PhD Programmers, matt.qvortrup@coventry.ac.uk. However the Research Admissions team will process your formal application and are the main contact point for all admission and administrative related enquiries.

Northwestern U Postdoctoral Fellowships: Global, Comparative, International Affairs

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Buffett Institute for Global Studies
Postdoctoral Fellowships in Global, Comparative, or International Affairs

The Buffett Institute for Global Studies at Northwestern University invites applications for two-year postdoctoral fellowships in the study of global, comparative or international affairs. Up to three Fellows will be selected. Applications are welcome from scholars from any range of social science or interdisciplinary perspectives whose research addresses global, international, or transnational social processes, problems, governance, or conflicts.

Fellowships will run from September 1, 2017, to August 31, 2019.

The salary is $55,000. In addition, Fellows are eligible for $5,000 per year to fund research and conference travel, and up to $2,000 in reimbursement for allowable relocation expenses in the first year. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position.

Applicants must have received their PhD between January 2, 2015, and August 31, 2017.

Application deadline is January 3, 2017, at 5 p.m. (CT).

For a complete position description and application procedures, please click here

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.

Northeastern U Future Faculty Fellow (postdoc)

Northeastern University (Boston, MA) invites applications from candidates for the 2017-18 Northeastern University Future Faculty Fellowship (Postdoctoral) Program.

Northeastern University’s mission emphasizes translational research that addresses global challenges and enhances social wellbeing.  Northeastern University strives to create a vibrant and diverse community, characterized by collaboration, creativity, and unwavering commitment to excellence and an equally unwavering commitment to exhibiting respect for one another.  Northeastern celebrates diversity in all its forms and fosters a culture of respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds community.

Consistent with Northeastern’s mission, vision and core values, the objectives of the Future Faculty fellowship program are:

1)      to encourage and promote excellence and diversity in the pool of future faculty candidates in all disciplines at Northeastern;

2)      to introduce to Northeastern’s academic community postdoctoral researchers who are considering faculty careers;

3)      to enhance opportunities for academic careers for persons from diverse backgrounds who have demonstrated a commitment to an inclusive faculty and an inclusive academic experience for all students;

4)      to prepare Future Faculty Fellows for possible tenure-track appointments at Northeastern;

5)      to enhance the academic environment of Northeastern’s departments by providing opportunities for students and faculty to gain experience in multi-cultural, broadly diverse and inclusive work settings and research collaborations that improve the capacity of all their members.

The complete Future Faculty Fellowship description that includes eligibility, fellowship terms, and the online application information can be found online.

Max Planck Fellowships for Language Sciences (Netherlands)

IMPRS 2017 Fellowships

The IMPRS for Language Sciences is now advertising three fully funded PhD positions for the duration of four years. Closing date for the applications is January 4 2017.

The IMPRS for Language Sciences is now advertising three fully funded PhD positions.

The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Language Sciences is the leading research school in the world devoted to studying the foundations of human language. It is a joint initiative of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, and the Centre for Language Studies of the Radboud University. The research school offers unrivalled training, top facilities (from genetics labs, advanced brain imaging techniques, psychology labs to supported fieldwork opportunities), and an outstanding interdisciplinary environment (see http://www.mpi.nl/education/imprs-for-language-sciences).

We aim to attract outstanding students who wish to earn a PhD degree in any area of the Languages Sciences. Broad questions addressed by students of the IMPRS include:
• What is the architecture of the language system?
• How is language represented in the brain?
• What is the genetic basis of neurodevelopmental communication disorders?
• Why is the human brain capable of learning and processing diverse languages?

If you have a background in (psycho)linguistics, psychology, cognitive neuroscience, molecular biology or genetics, computer science, or artificial intelligence, you could contribute to fundamental science in this area and earn a PhD degree from the International Max Planck Research School for Language Sciences.

PhD projects are fully funded for four years. PhD students receive a monthly salary sufficient to cover living costs in Nijmegen.

Applicants must have a Master’s degree (or expect to complete the degree before September 2017) in a relevant field. The working language of the research school is English.

Please compile your application as one PDF document including the following information:
1. Curriculum vitae. Include:
• Relevant work and educational background
• Details about your Master’s degree, including names of supervisors, (intended) date of completion, title of thesis, a brief description of your topic
• Grades for relevant coursework
• Details about relevant technical or research skills (e.g., programming, statistics, experimental design/methods, molecular biology, neuroimaging, practical phonetics, corpus methods, fieldwork).
2. One-page report of your (completed or ongoing) Master thesis project or equivalent research project for a general scientific audience (max. 500 words).
• Include only the theoretical motivation, research question, experimental design, results and/or implications.
3. Specify a potential supervisor and motivate why you want to work in her or his research domain (max. 200 words)
• See the list of potential promotors in the IMPRS here which includes links to the department websites of these professors.
4. References. Please provide contact details of two academic referees.
5. English proficiency. Non-native speakers of English must also provide a TOEFL/Cambridge/IELTS certificate or equivalent before taking up the post.

Closing date for the applications is January 4 2017.

Skype interviews are planned for the period between 8 and 19 February. Short-listed candidates in the final round will be invited for interviews at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics planned for the end of February. Start date for the positions is 1 September 2017.

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women, people with disabilities and under-represented groups are particularly encouraged.

Please send your application and any queries by e-mail with the subject header “IMPRS 2017 application” to imprs@mpi.nl

U Hong Kong Society of Fellows in the Humanities

Society of Fellows in the Humanities
Faculty of Arts, The University of Hong Kong
Creating a vibrant, young research community at the heart of
Asia’s top university for the arts and humanities

The Society of Fellows in the Humanities is a prestigious new initiative that aims to attract exceptional, early-career post-doctoral scholars from around the world to Asia’s global university. Located in one of the world’s most dynamic cities and on Mainland China’s doorstep, the University of Hong Kong offers unique opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research through its commitment to innovation and interdisciplinarity.

The Faculty of Arts is one of the University’s oldest and largest faculties and is consistently recognized as the first in Asia for the Arts and Humanities. Our international outlook is reflected in the incredible diversity of our staff and students and our collaborations with other top universities around the globe. As a Fellow, you will be contributing to a vibrant research community and interacting with acclaimed scholars from across all humanities disciplines.

The Society is seeking outstanding applicants for up to six inaugural, three-year Fellowships for 2017-2020. 

Deadline for applications: January 1, 2017
Notification of application result: by or before the end of March 2017
Expected start date: September 1, 2017
Enquiries: Mr Edward Shen at sofhku@hku.hk

Ghent U PHD Support: Sociolinguistics (Belgium)

MULTIPLES (Research Centre for Multilingual Practices and Language Learning in Society) seeks to recruit a PhD candidate to work on a project titled “Language and employability. A sociolinguistic ethnography of the activation of migrant job seekers in Flanders”, financed by the Special Research Fund at Ghent University.

Project description
The research is situated in the domain of sociolinguistics. The project proposes an ethnographic analysis of the activation trajectories in which migrant job seekers are inserted in Flemish Belgium. The project’s goal is to acquire insight in the role of language in the different stages of these trajectories, focusing on the relation between small-scale interactional practices, policy requirements and public macro-discourses on integration, linguistic diversity and work. The project will analyze the implementation of language policies in daily institutional practice, the logics that underpin these policies, the ways in which counselors, teachers and job seekers negotiate these policies, and the eventual outcomes of these policies for the different actors involved. Data will be collected through conducting participant observation in the Flemish employment agency and its partner organizations, interviewing counselors, teachers and job seekers and collecting policy documents.

Your profile
–       master’s degree in linguistics, communication, anthropology or a related discipline, obtained with good grades before the start of the project
–       good social and communicative skills
–       capacity for independent research
–       willingness to carry out ethnographic fieldwork
–       excellent competence in Dutch
–       good academic skills in English

Your tasks
–       collecting and analyzing ethnographic data
–       preparing a PhD on the basis of the project
–       preparing individual and joint publications for national and international scientific journals
–       presenting research at national and international conferences

We offer: a 48-month PhD position at Ghent University (Research Centre MULTIPLES & Department of Translation, Interpreting and Communication), starting 1 January 2017.

How to apply
Applicants must submit the following documents:
–       a motivation letter, curriculum vitae and copy of the master’s degree, merged into one PDF document
–       a piece of writing (e.g. a student paper) in English or in Dutch which demonstrates the applicant’s academic competences

Applications are to be sent by e-mail to prof. dr. Sarah Van Hoof (sarah.vanhoof[at]ugent.be). The deadline for application is 5 December 2016, 23:59 (CET).

More information
For inquiries, please contact Sarah Van Hoof (sarah.vanhoof[at]ugent.be).

U South Florida Postdocs: Global Change in a Dynamic World

Global Change in a Dynamic World
University of South Florida Postdoctoral Scholars
Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017-18

The University of South Florida is pleased to announce the 9th year of its Postdoctoral Scholars program in the Social Sciences and Humanities. The over-arching theme for this program is Global Change in a Dynamic World. Potential themes include (but are not limited to) sustainability; sustainable development; hazard and disaster management; climate change; population changes; technology and information issues; communication and language development; cultural diasporas; ethnicity, gender, and aging issues; cultural heritage and histories; digital humanities; citizenship; identity; health, economic, education, and environmental disparities; political economy; ethics; human rights; animal rights; peace and conflict studies; injury and violence; security and surveillance issues. Specific research and geographical areas are open, and applicants may consider both past and contemporary perspectives.

Postdoctoral Scholars will: (i) work closely with distinguished faculty; (ii) participate in an interdisciplinary project with the cohort of postdoctoral scholars; (iii) teach two courses over a twelve-month period; and (iv) continue to build an independent research record and engage in publishing refereed articles and creative scholarship.

Postdoctoral Scholars
At least five twelve-month postdoctoral scholarships will be awarded in Spring 2017 with appointments beginning in August 2017. Appointments are for full time employment (40 hours per week). Renewal for an additional year may be possible, contingent on performance and available funding. The salary is $47,500 per year and the University contributes to a health insurance program for postdoctoral scholars and their dependents. Support for travel to academic conferences will also be available. Scholars will be responsible for relocation and housing expenses.

Eligibility
Applicants must have a doctoral degree in one of the following disciplines: Anthropology; Communication; English; Geography, Environmental Science and Policy; Government and International Affairs; History; Philosophy; Sociology, or an affiliated program, earned no earlier than 2014. Candidates who will have successfully defended their dissertations by July 1st, 2017 will also be considered, however the doctoral degree must have been conferred prior to the first day of employment. Note: applicants must have received their doctoral degree from an institution other than the University of South Florida.

Application
Letters of application and supporting material must include the following:
1.      A cover letter stating your interest in this Postdoctoral Initiative. It must provide details on (i) how your research and teaching expertise would contribute to the theme of Global Change in a Dynamic World and the goals and aspirations of the USF Strategic Plan (http://www.ods.usf.edu/Plans/Strategic/docs/USF-Strategic-Plan-2013-2018.pdf (ii)the department with which you would like to be affiliated; (iii) your teaching experience and courses that you would like to offer; and (iv) your long-term goals.
2.      A Curriculum Vitae,
3.      Two letters of reference,
4.      Scanned copies of your published papers/scholarly works or book chapters (maximum of 50 pages).
5.      Scanned copy of your current academic transcript from your doctoral-granting institution.
6.      Copies of teaching evaluations from the most recent academic year.
Send all application materials to:  postdoc@usf.edu
Applications should be in one file (PDF) except for the reference letters.

Final application submission deadline is Friday December 2nd, 2016.

The University of South Florida is one of only four Florida public universities classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in the top tier of research universities (RU/VH), a distinction attained by only 2.3% of all U.S. universities. USF is ranked 43rd in the nation in total research expenditures.  The university is authorized to provide 241 degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. USF ranks 10th among all universities granted U.S. patents in 2014 according to the Intellectual Property Owners Association. The University has a $1.5 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 48,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee.

CFP IMéRA Fellowships (France)

IMéRA : Call for applications 2017-2018
Application deadline: Friday, 18 November, 2016 – 23:59
IMéRA: Laboratory for Cross-disciplinary Exploration

A foundation of Aix-Marseille University, IMéRA is an Institute for Advanced Study, a unique research centre where both emerging and top-level scientists can take advantage of residence schemes to carry out innovative research projects.

IMéRA is specifically aimed at fostering cross-disciplinary projects. It receives scientists and artists of all disciplines (in residence between 3 and 10 months), as well as a few cross-disciplinary teams with joint projects for short stays (2 to 4 weeks).

Research undertaken at the Institute is meant to develop interaction within social science, within science, between social science and hard, experimental and health sciences, and links between art and science. The Institute thus contributes to the emergence and development of world-class cross-disciplinary research approaches on Aix-Marseille University ground and grooms young researchers for such approaches. IMéRA also enthusiastically welcomes projects bearing on Mediterranean territories or submitted by researchers from the Mediterranean rim.

In their applications, candidates should clearly demonstrate their interest in cross-disciplinary projects on the basis of their research or itineraries, by:

  • providing a list of already experienced cross-disciplinary collaborations or of publications calling for such collaboration schemes; or
  • proposing to start one such collaboration and specifying its characteristics; or
  • detailing expected contributions from cross-fertilisation of their own research program with perspectives and intellectual resources of other disciplines.

IMéRA gives preference to high-aspiring research projects conducive to inter-disciplinary collaboration on complex science issues or major society challenges. Residents carry out their research in connection with Aix-Marseille University (AMU) teams and laboratories or with partner bodies. It is compulsory to include a letter of interest by an Aix-Marseille University researcher to the application.

SCHEDULE
Deadline: 18 November 2016 (this date included)
Duration of residences: 5 or 10 months
Residence periods (to be chosen by the candidates, several choices are possible)

WHO CAN QUALIFY
This call is open to scientists with official status and artists of all disciplines, both junior and senior.

Applications must be in English or French.
Candidates must submit their applications EXCLUSIVELY on IMéRA’s website 

For further information, contact: pascale.hurtado[at]univ-amu.fr

CFP AFIRC Fellowship (Australia)

2017 AFIRC Research Fellowship

The AFI Research Collection, in partnership with Screen Cultures from the Centre for Communications, Politics and Culture, is pleased to announce the 2017 AFIRC Research Fellowship.

We invite proposals from scholars wishing to undertake research that utilises and promotes the resources of the AFI Research Collection.

The Fellowship is designed to showcase the unique holdings of the AFIRC, including film stills, newspaper clippings and other significant artefacts from the Australian film and television industry.

The Fellowship will provide a stipend of up to $5,000 (AUD).

*Applications close Thursday 27 October 2016*

Contact Alexander Gionfriddo, alexander.gionfriddo[at]rmit.edu.au with questions.