The International Dimensions and Effects of Populism (IDEoPOP) 

The Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies at the University of Bath is seeking to appoint two fully funded PhD Fellowships to join European Union’s Horizon Europe Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions-Doctoral Networks/UKRI for a duration of 36 months. 

PhD1: Regional and international populist orders

This project analyses how populists conceive of regional and international orders. This project will provide an understanding about whether populist governments and leaders have an overall unitary conception of international order or whether this conception is segmented and depends on geopolitical factors such as belonging to specific regional orders, notions of regions and regionness as type of subsystem and order. In order to capture the expected diversity of understandings of international orders out there, the study cases will have a cross-regional dimensions, like for example, India, Turkey, Brazil and the US as well as other populist experiences. In this way, this project will also contribute to the further understanding of the reciprocal nexus of regions and international orders. 

PhD2: Populist branding in international politics

This project analyses how populist leaders brand themselves in international politics. This project will bring together different theoretical elements of comparative electoral politics such as electoral branding of candidates, and electoral marketing, and foreign policy elements such as roles and identity aspects of the state to analyze how populist leaders when acting internationally also promote a type of self-brand which is used for further domestic and international identification. This project will also unveil the type of relationships that populist leaders seek to advance and locate internationally. Within this relational dimension the project also analyses whether this brand is welcomed and accepted by domestic actors and by international peers and institutions, or whether the brand as performed is challenged and adjusted as being contested. A priority for Latin American case studies (at least to a certain extent) will be given, like for example, the case of J.Milei in Argentina, J.Bolsonaro in Brazil, N.Bukele in Salvador, and AMLO in Mexico.

About IDEoPOP Consortium

IDEoPOP offers training-through-research within a uniquely structured doctoral program imparting academic and complementary professional skills. A multifaceted scholarly training is provided by seven academic partners: University of Freiburg, Sciences Po Paris, University of Gothenburg, Bilkent University, University of Genova, Jagiellonian University, and University of Bath. Doctoral candidates will learn how to develop and communicate academic and policy- solutions to the challenges of populism in international politics via temporary assignments to renowned think tanks (Institute of International Relations Prague, International Youth Think Tank in Gothenburg, Institute for International Economic Relations in Athens, BRICS Policy Center in Rio de Janeiro, Stiftung Genshagen near Berlin, and Institut Jacques Delors in Paris). 

Further information:  

Academic Requirements 

• MA degree in Political Science/International Relations or a related discipline with a First or 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent), from a recognised university.
• When considering applications, we also take the following into account: extended and responsible experience in a relevant field in commerce, or industry, or in teaching, or in a government establishment, together with authorship of papers or other work of an acceptable academic standard, e.g. published translation.

English Language requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
• The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
• TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

References

Two references are required. At least one of these should be an academic reference from your most recent place of study.

Other requirements 

Doctoral candidates’ recruitment is subject to the mobility rule. Applicants may be nationals of EU 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 at the date of recruitment are ineligible to apply. 

Please note: you must include the following documents in your application: 

• Please indicate explicitly that you apply for the IDEoPOP funding scheme; 
• A research project in PDF or Word format describing how you would approach one of the above-mentioned PhD topic (2000 words maximum); 
• A CV summarising education, academic work and, if relevant, publications ; 
• An identity document. 
• A copy of degrees and academic transcripts
• A PDF copy of your Master dissertation, if completed (even before defence); 
• Two letters of recommendation. 

Allowance 

The two doctoral positions are fully funded by UKRI guaranteed safety net regarding EU Horizon projects. The monthly gross salary is £38,700 per year. As part of the funding there is also a Mobility Allowance and Family Allowance (if applicable). 

Applications 

You must submit your application for this post by Sunday 19 January 2025. 

In addition, by the same deadline, you must complete and submit a PhD application.  .  

Important: 

When completing the PhD online application form:

1. In the Funding your studies section, select ‘Marie Curie’ as the studentship for which you are applying.
2. In the Your PhD project section, quote the project title of your preferred PhD project (from the two options mentioned above, and quote ‘Prof Leslie Wehner’ as the name of your intended supervisor at the University of Bath.

Failure to complete these steps will cause a delay in processing your application and may mean that your application is not identified as being for the Marie Curie PhD Fellowship.

For more information on how to complete the PhD application, including the documents you must upload with it, please visit our ‘How to apply for doctoral study’ webpage.

Following the deadline to apply, short listed candidates will be invited to an online interview.

Further Information:

The PhD student selected will join the Politics, Languages and International Studies Doctoral program. See /courses/postgraduate-research/phd-politics-languages-and-international-studies-full-time/ 

Please also check the University of Bath Doctoral College website for further information: /departments/doctoral-college/

For more information about the positions, contact: Professor Leslie Wehner l.e.wehner@bath.ac.uk 

What we can offer you:

• a very generous employer contributory pension scheme
• generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• we are a family-friendly University and with an increasingly agile workforce, are open to flexible working arrangements
• an excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities
• a number of support options available for new and existing staff to help with the cost of some immigration expenses which you may be eligible for: Relocation allowance, Visa Reimbursement, Interest-Free Loan.

Find out more about our benefits.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us and on Twitter for more information.

Closing Date: 19 Jan 2025

Department: Education & 69É«ÇéƬ

Salary: £38,700 per annum