Uppsala University: Three to five PhD candidate positions in Economic History

Full information: Three to five PhD candidate positions in Economic History - Uppsala University, Sweden (uu.se)

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In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

The Department of Economic History is a strong research and teaching environment with over 40 researchers, plus 15 PhD students. Our PhD Program forms part of the National Postgraduate  School in Economic History. For more information, please see our website

Duties/project description: The Department of Economic History invites applications for three to five PhD candidates all beginning on 1 September 2021. Two PhD candidate positions are available without a specific research orientation and one to three PhD candidate positions in specific research projects can be applied for.

The PhD program consists of four years of full-time studies. In terms of the Swedish university credit system, the program comprises 240 credits (30 credits = 1 semester of full-time study). There are two main components of the program: coursework (75 credits) and work that is related to the PhD dissertation (165 credits). PhD students are also expected to participate in departmental activities such as seminars, workshops, etc., as well as in the activities of the National Postgraduate School.

PhD candidate positions without a specific research orientation denote that the subject matter of the dissertation can be chosen within the economic-historical field, provided that the department has the capacity to supervise the chosen project. PhD candidate positions linked to specific research projects have a stipulated research direction within the project, but the PhD candidate can define his/her own research in line with the project, together with the project’s principal investigator. Today, the following research project offers a doctoral position:

Market structure, profitability, and firm survival in the Swedish beer industry, 1920–1990 The project is concerned with the effects of Swedish alcohol legislation on the domestic brewery sector  during the 20th century. Focus will be placed on investigating issues such as profitability, market concentration, firm survival, and firm strategies, in order to analyze the development of the industry during a long period in time and different regulation regimes. The main quantitative material consists of data on firm level, for instance from annual reports, balance sheets, and profit- and loss accounts. Documented experience of quantitative data collection and quantitative methods is therefore desirable. For more information please contact principal investigator: Henric Häggqvist (henric.haggqvist@ekhist.uu.se)

More PhD positions in externally funded projects may be added.

Qualifications: Entry requirements for third-cycle (doctoral) programmes require both general and specific eligibility. These should be upheld on the last application day.

The general entry requirements for third-cycle (doctoral) programmes are: academic degree at an advanced (Master’s) level, or attainment of at least 240 higher education (HE) credits for courses, of which at least 60 HE credits are awarded in the second cycle, or equivalent training either in Sweden or abroad.

Additionally, admission to the third-cycle programme in economic history also requires: attainment of 90 higher education credits for courses in economic history at any level, achievement of equivalent training either in Sweden or abroad.

Qualified persons must have mastered English in speech and writing. Applicants not fluent in Swedish are expected to learn Swedish during the employment period. For some specific projects, it may be a demand that the applicant masters Swedish from the beginning.

How to apply: Applications can be written in Swedish or English, should be posted via the link specified at the bottom of the page, and consist of:

• A completed application form
• A Curriculum Vitae
• A description (max. 2 pages) of your research interests, skills, outlook, and motivation for applying for the PhD program. As well, state if you are interested in the PhD candidate positions without specific research project and/or those related to specific research projects
• A short research plan (max. 3 pages)
• Certified transcript(s) of your academic record/degree(s) to date
• Copies of your thesis work (from bachelor and master degrees or equivalent academic papers)
• Two academic reference letters (with contact details), primarily from teachers and/or supervisors
• Other documents you may wish to attach (including, for instance, concerning relevant work-life experiences, additional written academic work, or other references)

Assessment procedure: Admittance of a doctoral student is based on an assessment of the candidate’s ability to benefit from third-cycle studies. It is also dependent on the possibility of the Department to provide high-quality supervision to the doctoral student’s research. The applicant’s ability to benefit from third-cycle studies and research will be assessed with reference to the following selection criteria:

• Ability to perform independent work
• Quality and content of previous written work, such as a master’s thesis, and the research plan.
• Scientific maturity and independence, such as in structure, methodology, and analysis
• The ability to formulate research areas and scientific problems
• Ability to cooperate
• Following time plans and deadlines
• Written and oral communication skills.
• Relevant educational background and grades/grade average.
• Relevant work experience.

A recruitment committee first makes a shortlist selection based on the submitted files and contacts with references. This shortlist is discussed within the supervising committee to select a small group for interviews with representants at the department for the doctoral school, research, and eventual principal investigators for specific projects, after which a final selection is made. The interviews will be carried out in the last two weeks in June 2021. The applicants will be informed of the results of this selection process shortly thereafter.  

More information concerning doctoral education, requirements and rules for admission can be found at http://www.ekhist.uu.se/phd-studies/ at http://www.uu.se/en/admissions/phd-studies/ and http://www.hum-sam.uu.se/research/forskarutbildning/

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.
 
Starting date: 01-09-2021.

Type of employment: Temporary position.

Scope of employment: 100 %.

For further information about the position please contact: Director of research, professor Anders Ögren, email: anders.ogren@ekhist.uu.se or Director of doctoral studies, associate professor Kristina Lilja, email: kristina.lilja@ekhist.uu.se

Please submit your application by 7 June 2021, UFV-PA 2021/1508.

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Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.