Uppsala University Fully Funded PhD Positions in Peace and Conflict Research 2027: 2 Doctoral Vacancies in Sweden.

Uppsala University in Sweden is inviting applications for two fully funded PhD positions in Peace and Conflict Research under the European Union-funded Doctoral Network: Democratic Institutions and Violence Network in Europe (DIViNE). The positions offer early-career researchers an opportunity to pursue doctoral research examining political violence, democratic institutions, institutional reform, public attitudes towards violence and the challenges democracies face in maintaining peace and protecting democratic values.

The two positions are based at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University and form part of a wider international doctoral network involving five leading European universities. Through this programme, selected candidates will conduct doctoral research, participate in specialist training and research workshops, collaborate with scholars across Europe, and undertake research stays and non-academic secondments designed to strengthen their academic and policy engagement experience.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to graduates interested in political science, peace and conflict studies, international relations, sociology, democratic governance, political behaviour, public opinion, institutional development and related interdisciplinary fields.

Both positions are fully funded, with employment on a full-time basis. The expected starting date is 1 January 2027, or another date agreed upon with the university. Applicants must meet the doctoral admission requirements of the Department of Peace and Conflict Research and satisfy the European Union’s mobility requirements for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks scheme.

Application deadline: 9 November 2026.

Overview of the Uppsala University PhD Positions 2027

• Host institution: Uppsala University, Sweden
• Department: Department of Peace and Conflict Research
• Research programme: Democratic Institutions and Violence Network in Europe (DIViNE)
• Funding framework: European Union Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks
• Number of positions: Two PhD candidates
• Position 1: Institutional Reform, Violence, and Democratic Consolidation
• Position 2: Public Support for Political Violence in Advanced Democracies
• Study level: Doctoral or PhD research
• Funding: Fully funded doctoral employment
• Employment level: Full-time, 100%
• Expected start date: 1 January 2027, or as otherwise agreed
• Location: Uppsala, Sweden
• Application deadline: 9 November 2026
• Job reference number: UFV-PA 2026/2962
• Application method: Online through Uppsala University’s recruitment system
• Application language: Preferably English

Applicants may apply for one position or both positions. Those applying for both must indicate this in their application and may submit two separate project plans, with each plan aligned to the relevant research position.

About Uppsala University and the Department of Peace and Conflict Research

Uppsala University is a research-intensive university in Sweden with an established international academic profile. Its mission is to deliver education and research of high quality and relevance, with the goal of making a positive difference in society.

The university has a large academic community comprising approximately 7,500 employees and 53,000 students, making it a significant centre for research, education and international collaboration.

The Department of Peace and Conflict Research was established in 1971 to advance research on peace and conflict and provide education in the field. It has an internationally oriented academic environment, with approximately 90 employees and around 1,000 students from different parts of the world enrolled each academic year.

The department examines the causes, dynamics and consequences of conflict, as well as the conditions under which peace can be established and sustained. Its research environment provides a setting for examining political violence, institutions, democratic governance and other issues relevant to understanding conflict in contemporary societies.

The two advertised PhD positions will enable successful candidates to contribute to this research environment while undertaking their own doctoral education.

Department website: https://www.pcr.uu.se/

About the DIViNE European Doctoral Network

The two positions are part of the Democratic Institutions and Violence Network in Europe (DIViNE), a doctoral network funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) framework.

The network addresses a central question in contemporary political research: why does political violence occur in democracies, and how can democratic institutions respond to violence without undermining the principles they are intended to protect?

Democratic systems are generally expected to provide institutional channels through which citizens and political groups can express disagreement, compete for power and pursue change without resorting to violence. Elections, legal institutions, public debate and established political processes are intended to manage disagreement peacefully.

However, democratic countries also experience various forms of political violence. These may include riots, organised electoral intimidation, extremist mobilisation and criminal violence. Such events can challenge democratic institutions, weaken public confidence and threaten the norms that support democratic governance.

The problem becomes more complicated when governments respond to perceived security threats through measures such as militarised policing, emergency legislation or selective repression. Although these measures may be justified as responses to instability, they can also threaten civil liberties, the rule of law and the impartial functioning of institutions.

DIViNE brings together complementary research expertise to investigate these challenges. The network combines quantitative conflict research, behavioural and experimental methods, historical and archival inquiry, institutional and normative theory, and applied policy engagement.

The wider network involves five European university research environments:

• University of Amsterdam (UvA), Netherlands
• University of Essex (UESSEX), United Kingdom
• University of Milan (UMIL), Italy
• Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), Spain
• Uppsala University (UU), Sweden

Across these institutions, the network will support ten doctoral candidates. The two positions advertised at Uppsala University are therefore part of a broader European research initiative rather than isolated doctoral projects.

The network structure is intended to encourage intellectual exchange, methodological development and collaboration across different research traditions. Candidates will have opportunities to engage with scholars and institutions beyond their primary university and to explore how academic research can inform policy discussions about democracy, political violence and institutional resilience.

PhD Position 1: Institutional Reform, Violence, and Democratic Consolidation

The first doctoral position, identified as Doctoral Candidate 5 (DC 5) within DIViNE, focuses on how institutional reforms introduced during democratic transitions influence violence, reconciliation and the consolidation of democratic institutions.

This position is suitable for researchers interested in democratic transitions, transitional justice, constitutional development, conflict resolution, political institutions and the long-term consequences of institutional change.

Research focus

Countries emerging from authoritarian rule, civil conflict or periods of political instability often introduce institutional reforms intended to reduce violence, address past injustices and establish more stable political systems.

However, reforms do not always produce the expected results. Their effects may depend on when they are introduced, how they are designed, which groups benefit from them and how they influence the incentives of political actors.

This PhD project will examine how reforms enacted during democratic transitions affect incentives for violence and reconciliation.

The advertised themes include:

• Transitional justice mechanisms.
• Decentralisation.
• Land and territorial reform.
• Constitutional redesign.
• Power-sharing arrangements.
• Democratic consolidation.
• The relationship between institutional reform and violent legacies.
• The sequencing of reforms during political transitions.

These reforms can influence how political power is distributed, how competing interests are represented, how grievances are addressed and whether groups perceive peaceful political participation as a viable alternative to violence.

For example, a researcher might examine whether particular power-sharing arrangements help reduce incentives for political violence, or whether the timing of transitional justice measures influences reconciliation after conflict. Such examples illustrate the broad research area; applicants must develop their own project within the advertised theme.

Freedom to develop an independent research project

The selected candidate will be expected to pursue research within the stated topic while having the freedom to define and develop a project idea that fits the position’s parameters.

Applicants must submit a project plan as part of their application. The plan should identify a clear research problem, explain the project’s contribution to scholarship and establish how the research will investigate the relationship between institutional reform, violence and democratic consolidation.

Candidates should avoid submitting an overly broad proposal that attempts to investigate every form of institutional reform across all countries. A focused question, a defensible research design and a realistic empirical strategy will help demonstrate the project’s feasibility.

Research methodology and empirical work

The position allows empirical research combining quantitative analysis with qualitative case-based research.

Possible approaches include:

• Cross-national quantitative analysis: Comparing countries to identify patterns between institutional reforms, violence and democratic consolidation.
• Event-level data analysis: Examining political violence and institutional developments over time.
• Qualitative case studies: Investigating particular political transitions or reform processes in depth.
• Comparative research: Assessing how similar reforms produce different outcomes in different political or historical contexts.

The final methodology should be appropriate to the applicant’s research question and the available evidence. The announcement does not require every candidate to use all these methods.

Academic contribution

The project is expected to contribute to theoretical discussions concerning reform sequencing, violent legacies and institutional consolidation.

This means the candidate should aim to explain not simply whether reforms are associated with violence or peace, but also how and why particular institutional arrangements influence political incentives and longer-term democratic development.

A strong proposal should identify the existing academic debate it seeks to advance and explain what new evidence, comparison or theoretical insight it will contribute.

Research stay at the University of Essex

The doctoral trajectory includes a research stay at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom.

This provides an opportunity to engage with another research environment, develop academic networks and benefit from expertise relevant to the candidate’s project.

Applicants should consider how an international research stay could strengthen their research design, analytical approach or engagement with the wider DIViNE network.

Non-academic secondment at CIDOB

The position also includes a non-academic secondment at CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs) in Barcelona, Spain.

The secondment is intended to provide opportunities for policy-oriented research and practical experience in policy engagement and strategic communication.

This element is particularly relevant to researchers interested in how academic findings can inform discussions about democratic institutions, political reform and conflict prevention.

Through engagement with a policy-oriented organisation, the candidate may develop a better understanding of how research is communicated to non-academic audiences and how evidence can contribute to policy discussions.

The candidate will be part of DIViNE Working Group 2.

PhD Position 2: Public Support for Political Violence in Advanced Democracies

The second doctoral position, identified as Doctoral Candidate 7 (DC 7) within DIViNE, focuses on public support for and tolerance of political violence in advanced democracies.

This position is especially relevant to researchers interested in political behaviour, public opinion, political psychology, democratic legitimacy, survey research, extremist mobilisation, political communication and the relationship between state authority and violence.

Research focus

Political violence is not driven solely by the actions of political leaders, armed groups or organised movements. Public attitudes can also influence whether violent behaviour is tolerated, justified, rejected or regarded as legitimate.

Understanding these attitudes is important because democratic societies depend partly on public acceptance of nonviolent political competition, institutional rules and the peaceful resolution of disagreements.

Nevertheless, citizens may support or tolerate political violence under particular circumstances. The reasons for such support may differ across countries, political contexts, social groups and forms of violence.

The second PhD project will investigate the drivers of public support for political violence in advanced democracies and the strategies used by violent actors, both state and non-state, to cultivate legitimacy.

The candidate will have the opportunity to define a project within this broader research theme.

Possible areas of investigation

Research within this position may address questions such as:

• Why do some members of the public justify political violence while others reject it?
• Under what circumstances do citizens tolerate violence carried out by political groups or state institutions?
• How do political messages and public narratives influence attitudes towards violence?
• How do political actors attempt to legitimise coercion or violent action?
• How do perceptions of threats, security or political opponents influence public acceptance of violence?
• How do attitudes towards political violence vary across countries or within a particular country?

These are illustrative research questions, not prescribed questions that every applicant must answer. Candidates should develop a focused project that fits the advertised theme and can be investigated through a rigorous empirical design.

Research methodology

The position may involve a range of empirical methods, including survey experiments, content analysis, framing analysis and comparative research.

Potential methods include:

1. Survey experiments

Survey experiments can help researchers investigate how changes in information, political messages or hypothetical scenarios influence public attitudes towards political violence.

Depending on the research question, an applicant might design an experiment to examine whether different justifications for coercive action affect respondents’ judgements about its legitimacy.

2. Content analysis

Content analysis can be used to systematically examine political statements, media content, public communications or other materials relevant to how violence is represented and justified.

This may help researchers identify recurring themes, arguments and patterns in the language used by political actors.

3. Framing analysis

Framing analysis examines how political issues and actions are presented to audiences. It can help investigate how actors portray violence as necessary, legitimate, defensive or unacceptable.

4. Comparative research

The candidate may conduct cross-country or country-specific comparative research to examine whether public attitudes towards political violence vary across different political environments.

Applicants should explain why their chosen methods are appropriate, what evidence they expect to collect and how they will analyse the results.

Academic contribution

The position focuses on the micro-foundations of public support for and tolerance of political violence.

In this context, micro-foundations refers to the individual-level beliefs, attitudes, judgements and motivations that help explain broader political outcomes.

The research is expected to contribute to understanding why political violence gains public acceptance in some circumstances and how actors attempt to build legitimacy for violent actions.

A strong proposal should establish how the project will advance existing scholarship, explain its analytical contribution and demonstrate that the proposed research can be completed within a doctoral programme.

Research stay at the University of Milan

The doctoral trajectory includes a research stay at the University of Milan in Italy.

This provides an opportunity to engage with an additional European academic environment and connect the candidate’s work with wider research on political violence, public attitudes and democratic institutions.

Applicants should consider how this placement could contribute to their project’s intellectual development, research methods and engagement with the DIViNE network.

Non-academic secondment at the Clingendael Institute

The candidate will also undertake a non-academic secondment at the Clingendael Institute in the Netherlands.

The secondment is designed to provide experience in policy-oriented research, policy engagement and strategic communication.

This component offers an opportunity to understand how research on public attitudes, political violence and democratic governance can inform policy discussions and be communicated to audiences beyond academia.

The candidate will be part of DIViNE Working Group 3.

What will successful PhD candidates do?

Although the two positions focus on different research questions, both candidates will primarily concentrate on their own doctoral education and research.

In addition to conducting their individual PhD projects, successful candidates are expected to participate actively in the DIViNE training network.

Their responsibilities will include:

• Developing and conducting an original doctoral research project.
• Participating in network training modules.
• Attending PhD colloquia.
• Contributing to research workshops.
• Participating in relevant network activities.
• Undertaking the research stay associated with their position.
• Completing the designated non-academic secondment.
• Engaging with opportunities for policy-oriented research and strategic communication through their placement.
• Contributing to the academic and collaborative environment of the Department of Peace and Conflict Research.

A maximum of 20% of the position may involve other administrative and educational responsibilities at the department.

This means that the positions are full-time doctoral employment opportunities, but a limited proportion of working time may be allocated to departmental duties beyond the candidate’s own research and doctoral training.

Applicants should understand that participation in the network, international placements and secondments forms part of the advertised doctoral trajectory rather than being merely optional activities.

Funding, salary and employment conditions

Uppsala University describes both PhD positions as fully funded.

The positions are offered as full-time doctoral employment, with working hours at 100%. The university states that local salary rules apply and identifies the pay structure as the doctoral salary scale, referred to in the Swedish announcement as Doktorandstege.

The announcement does not specify a single fixed salary amount in the supplied vacancy text. Prospective applicants should therefore consult the university’s official employment information or contact the listed programme representatives if they need clarification about salary progression and applicable employment conditions.

The main employment details are:

• Funding status: Fully funded.
• Employment level: Full-time, 100%.
• Employment type: Temporary position.
• Salary arrangement: Local university salary rules and the doctoral salary scale.
• Expected start: 1 January 2027, or as otherwise agreed.
• Location: Uppsala, Sweden.
• Department: Department of Peace and Conflict Research.
• Reference number: UFV-PA 2026/2962.

The opportunity is linked to the European Union’s Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks scheme. Candidates should review the university’s employment conditions and the applicable doctoral admission rules before applying.

Uppsala University also notes that the position may be subject to security vetting. If such vetting is conducted, the applicant must pass the vetting process to be eligible for employment.

Eligibility requirements for international applicants

Applicants must satisfy both the academic admission requirements for doctoral studies in peace and conflict research and the mobility requirements associated with the MSCA Doctoral Networks scheme.

1. Eligibility for doctoral studies

Employment as a PhD candidate requires acceptance into the Department of Peace and Conflict Research’s PhD programme.

Admission is determined through an assessment of the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the doctoral programme and their suitability for the advertised position.

Prospective applicants should first establish that they meet the general and any applicable specific eligibility requirements for postgraduate studies in peace and conflict research.

Applicants should consult the official programme information to confirm the precise academic qualifications required. The supplied vacancy announcement does not set out a complete list of accepted degrees, subject-specific prerequisites or minimum grade requirements.

For more information, VISIT HERE.

2. MSCA mobility requirement

The vacancy is funded under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks scheme.

Under the mobility rule stated in the announcement, recruited doctoral candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity, such as work or studies, in Sweden for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding their recruitment date.

For this purpose, the recruiting beneficiary organisation is Uppsala University in Sweden.

This requirement is important because it applies regardless of whether a candidate otherwise meets the academic admission criteria. Applicants who have spent significant periods living, studying or working in Sweden should review their circumstances carefully before applying.

Candidates should consult the university or the applicable MSCA rules if they are uncertain about how their residence or main activities affect eligibility.

3. Research proposal must match the chosen position

Applicants must submit a project plan that fits the topic of the position or positions for which they are applying.

For the institutional reform position, the plan should focus on institutional reform, violence and democratic consolidation.

For the public support position, the plan should focus on the drivers of public support for political violence in advanced democracies and the strategies used by violent actors to cultivate legitimacy.

Applicants applying for both positions may submit two project plans. Each plan must be appropriate to the corresponding research theme.

4. English-language application

The university states that applications should preferably be submitted in English.

Applicants should ensure that their personal letter, CV, project plan and supporting materials communicate their qualifications and research ideas clearly.

5. Diversity and equal opportunity

Uppsala University states that it aims to promote gender balance and diversity throughout its activities to support quality at all levels of the organisation.

The university welcomes applicants of any gender and with different birth backgrounds, functional abilities and life experiences.

The announcement does not specify a nationality or race-based restriction. However, applicants must meet the academic admission requirements and the MSCA mobility rule, which may affect candidates regardless of nationality.

Application documents required

Applicants must submit an online application containing the required academic and supporting documents.

The university identifies eight application components.

APPLY HERE.

1. Completed application form for doctoral studies

Applicants must complete the university’s application form for doctoral studies.

The form is available through the relevant application information, alongside detailed instructions for completing the application.

Candidates should follow the university’s instructions carefully and ensure that all requested information is provided.

2. Short personal letter of one to two pages

The application must include a personal letter of approximately one to two pages.

The letter should explain the applicant’s academic background, motivation for doctoral research and interest in the specific position.

Applicants should make a clear connection between their experience, their research interests and the advertised project’s objectives.

For candidates applying for both positions, the letter should make their application preference clear and explain their suitability for the relevant research themes.

3. Curriculum vitae

Applicants must provide a CV summarising their academic background, qualifications, research experience and other relevant achievements.

The CV should be accurate, clearly organised and relevant to doctoral study in peace and conflict research.

Applicants may include relevant research projects, academic writing, research methods, presentations, publications and other experience that demonstrates their preparedness for doctoral-level work.

4. Certified academic transcripts

The application must include certified transcripts of academic records.

Applicants should obtain the appropriate official documentation from their educational institutions and ensure that the transcripts meet the university’s requirements.

Candidates with qualifications obtained outside Sweden should consult the application instructions for any relevant certification, translation or documentation requirements.

The vacancy announcement does not specify the detailed certification format for every country, so applicants should follow the official instructions rather than assume that ordinary unofficial transcripts will be sufficient.

5. Research project plan of three to five pages

The project plan is one of the most important components of the application.

It must be between three and five pages, excluding the reference list, and must fit the theme of the advertised position.

For the first position, applicants should develop a research plan addressing institutional reform, violence and democratic consolidation.

For the second position, applicants should propose research on public support for political violence in advanced democracies.

A strong project plan should generally identify:

• The central research question.
• The research problem and its importance.
• The relevant academic debates.
• The project’s aims and contribution.
• The theoretical framework or conceptual approach, where appropriate.
• The proposed methodology.
• The empirical material or data to be investigated.
• The feasibility of the research.
• The expected contribution to peace and conflict research.
• Relevant academic references.

These elements are recommendations for developing a well-structured proposal; applicants should follow the university’s official application instructions for any additional requirements.

Candidates should avoid submitting a generic proposal that could apply to either position without modification. The research plan must fit the specific topic selected.

6. Letters of recommendation or a list of referees

Applicants must provide either:

• A maximum of two letters of reference or recommendation; or
• A list of no more than two references who can be contacted.

Applicants should select referees who can comment meaningfully on their academic ability, research potential, writing skills and suitability for doctoral study.

Candidates should inform their referees in advance and ensure that the contact details supplied are accurate.

The vacancy does not require applicants to submit more than two letters or list more than two referees.

7. Writing samples: One to three samples

The application must include between one and three writing samples.

Writing samples help demonstrate the applicant’s ability to conduct academic research, develop an argument, engage with relevant literature and communicate findings in writing.

Depending on the applicant’s background and the university’s instructions, suitable samples might include a previous research paper, dissertation chapter, master’s thesis excerpt or an academic manuscript.

Applicants should select samples that are relevant to their proposed research and demonstrate their strongest analytical and writing abilities.

They should also ensure that submitted materials comply with the application instructions and any relevant confidentiality or authorship requirements.

8. Indication of the position or positions applied for

Applicants must clearly indicate which position they wish to be considered for.

The application should identify one of the following options:

1. Institutional Reform, Violence, and Democratic Consolidation.
2. Public Support for Political Violence in Advanced Democracies.
3. Both positions.

Candidates applying for both positions may submit two project plans. Each plan must fit the specific research theme it addresses.

Applicants should make this choice explicit to help the university assess the appropriate project proposal and research fit.

How to apply for the Uppsala University PhD positions

Applicants should follow the steps below when preparing their applications.

Step 1: Read the official vacancy announcement.

Review the university’s job advertisement and confirm the details of the two positions, including their research themes, mobility requirements, funding arrangements and application deadline.

Step 2: Check the doctoral admission requirements.

Visit the Department of Peace and Conflict Research’s PhD programme page to verify that you meet the general and any applicable specific eligibility requirements.

Step 3: Review the MSCA mobility rule.

Confirm that you meet the requirement concerning residence and main activities in Sweden during the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment.

If you have lived, studied or worked in Sweden during this period, carefully assess the duration and circumstances before submitting your application.

Step 4: Select your preferred research position.

Decide whether to apply for the institutional reform position, the public support position or both.

Your choice should be reflected in the application form and supported by a project plan that fits the selected research theme.

Step 5: Prepare your research plan.

Develop a focused proposal of three to five pages, excluding references. Clearly explain the research question, academic contribution, methodology and proposed empirical investigation.

If applying for both positions, prepare a separate plan for each.

Step 6: Compile all supporting documents.

Prepare the completed doctoral application form, personal letter, CV, certified academic transcripts, project plan or plans, references or recommendation letters, and one to three writing samples.

Check that every document meets the stated requirements.

Step 7: Submit your application online.

The university requires applications to be submitted through its recruitment system. Use the official Uppsala University vacancy page and select the Apply for position option.

The supplied vacancy text does not include the direct recruitment-system URL. Applicants should therefore open the official announcement on Uppsala University’s website and follow its application link rather than relying on an unverified third-party form.

Step 8: Submit before 9 November 2026.

Ensure that your application is complete and submitted by the deadline. Allow enough time to obtain certified transcripts, finalise the research plan and arrange references.

Important dates and administrative information

The following dates and administrative details are relevant to applicants:

• 9 October 2026: Publication date of the vacancy announcement.
• 9 November 2026: Application deadline.
• 1 January 2027: Expected start date, or another date agreed upon with the university.
• 36-month reference period: The period used to assess the MSCA mobility requirement immediately before the recruitment date.
• 12-month mobility limit: Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Sweden for more than 12 months during that 36-month period.

The vacancy reference number is UFV-PA 2026/2962. Applicants should use this reference when identifying the advertisement in correspondence where appropriate.

Contact information for enquiries

For further information about the positions, applicants may contact the following representatives of the Department of Peace and Conflict Research and the DIViNE network.

Desirée Nilsson
Director of Studies, Department of Peace and Conflict Research PhD Programme
Email: phdprogramme@pcr.uu.se

Hanne Fjelde
Team Leader of the Uppsala University node in DIViNE
Email: hanne.fjelde@pcr.uu.se

Applicants should use the official recruitment system to submit their applications. Sending an email enquiry is not a substitute for completing the required online application.

Employment conditions, university benefits and security vetting

Uppsala University provides information about its employment environment, benefits and working conditions through its official jobs website.

The university has also received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research acknowledgement, which recognises an institution’s commitment to a stimulating and favourable research environment.

Applicants should note that the advertised positions may be subject to security vetting. If security vetting is conducted, successful completion is a condition of eligibility for employment.

The university also asks that recruitment or advertising service offers not be sent in response to the vacancy announcement.

Why consider these PhD opportunities?

These two positions provide an opportunity to pursue doctoral research on issues that are important to the future of democratic governance and conflict prevention.

For researchers interested in institutional reform, the first position offers a framework for investigating how political and constitutional changes influence incentives for violence, reconciliation and democratic consolidation.

For researchers interested in public opinion and political behaviour, the second position offers a route to study why people support or tolerate political violence and how political actors seek to legitimise it.

Both positions combine individual doctoral research with participation in an international network of universities. Research stays at the University of Essex or the University of Milan, together with non-academic secondments at CIDOB or the Clingendael Institute, will expose candidates to academic and policy-oriented research environments.

The network’s emphasis on training, research workshops, collaboration and strategic communication may be particularly valuable to researchers seeking to develop both scholarly expertise and an understanding of how research can inform policy.

However, prospective applicants should consider the two projects carefully before applying. The positions have distinct research aims, and the quality of the match between the candidate’s proposed research and the advertised theme will be important in demonstrating suitability.

Conclusion

Uppsala University’s two fully funded PhD positions in Peace and Conflict Research offer doctoral research opportunities for eligible candidates interested in democratic institutions, political violence, institutional reform and public attitudes towards violence.

Through the EU-funded DIViNE Doctoral Network, successful candidates will undertake their own doctoral research while participating in international academic training, research stays and non-academic secondments. The institutional reform position focuses on how reforms introduced during democratic transitions influence violence and democratic consolidation, while the public support position investigates the drivers of support for political violence in advanced democracies.

Applicants must meet the department’s doctoral admission requirements and the MSCA mobility rule, prepare a research plan of three to five pages and provide all required academic and supporting documents. Those interested in both positions may apply for both, provided that they clearly identify their choices and submit suitable project plans.

The application deadline is 9 November 2026, and the expected start date is 1 January 2027, or as otherwise agreed.

Interested candidates should review the official Uppsala University vacancy announcement, verify their eligibility and submit a complete application through the university’s recruitment system before the deadline.

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