Postdoctoral fellow in Political Science

Göteborgs universitet; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 436,347 - 599,977; Full time

Job summary

Göteborgs universitet is inviting applications for a full‑time, two‑year Postdoctoral Fellow position in Political Science. The role focuses on research relating to political behavior, health, and social outcomes. Candidates should have a doctoral degree, strong scientific writing skills, and proficiency in English.

The position, based at the Department of Political Science, offers opportunities for independent research and collaboration with various institutions. Starting date is 1 January 2027, or as agreed.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in political science or a related subject no later than the time of the employment decision.
• Documented research competence relevant to one or more of the research areas of the position.
• Good ability to independently produce high-quality scientific writing.
• Excellent written and oral proficiency in English.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research and develop theoretical and empirical ideas.
• Lead and contribute to scientific publications and analyze register and survey data.
• Possibly teach for up to one-fifth of the working time.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to methodological training.

Skills

Scientific writing

Quantitative methods

Statistical software (Stata, R, Python)

Research in political participation

Research experience in health inequalities

Education

Doctoral degree in political science or related subject

Tools

Statistical software

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellow, Political Science – University of Gothenburg

The Department of Political Science invites applications for a 100% full‑time, two‑year postdoctoral fellowship focusing on research in political behavior and comparative politics with an emphasis on parenthood, health, pregnancy, and social outcomes.

Research Project and Research Environment

The Gothenburg Research Program on Pregnancy and Politics (PregDem) is a cross‑disciplinary collaboration between the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Princeton University, and McGill University. Its overarching aim is to deepen understanding of how pregnancy and becoming a parent influence people’s relationship to society, work, and politics, and how political and institutional conditions shape experiences of pregnancy, care, and early parenthood.

The program is led by Professor Elin Naurin and funded by the Swedish Research Council, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and the University of Gothenburg.

Project 1: Having a child, political participation, and representation

This project investigates how having a child affects women's political participation and opportunities in representative politics. Using a research design based on IVF treatment, the project follows outcomes such as voter turnout, candidacy, elected office, and labor market and career outcomes over time through linked Swedish register data. The postdoctoral fellow will develop theory and the empirical strategy, analyze data, and produce scientific publications on how having a child may shape political participation, representation, and career development.

Project 2: Perinatal health, measurement strategies, and inequality in social outcomes

This project examines differences in perinatal health and care and explores long‑term consequences of health complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood. One component uses data from the Swedish Pregnancy Register and the Swedish Neonatal Care Register to develop comparable measures of health need, care burden, and complications. Another component links these measures to sources such as LISA and electoral registers to analyze inequalities in care relative to need and possible consequences for political participation and labor market outcomes. The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to methodological development and substantive analyses of health, inequality, and civic participation, and will help develop theoretical insights.

Duties

• Conduct independent research and develop theoretical and empirical ideas at the intersection of political science, health research, economics, register‑based methods, and research on inequality.
• Lead and contribute to scientific publications, develop quantitative analyses, and prepare, link, and analyze register and survey data from sources such as the Swedish Pregnancy Register, Swedish Neonatal Care Register, LISA, electoral registers, and other Swedish administrative registers.
• Possibly teach for up to one‑fifth of the working time.
• Prepare ethics applications, documentation, measurement strategies, data preparation; participate in project meetings, workshops, and international collaborations.
• Mentor junior researchers, attend conferences, and contribute to methodological training.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in political science or a related subject no later than the time of the employment decision.
• Documented research competence relevant to one or more of the research areas of the position.
• Good ability to independently produce high‑quality scientific writing.
• Excellent written and oral proficiency in English.
• Meritorious: experience with quantitative methods, especially causal or quasi‑experimental research designs.
• Meritorious: experience with register data (health quality registers, longitudinal survey data, or other large‑scale data sources).
• Meritorious: experience with statistical software (Stata, R, or Python).
• Meritorious: research experience in political participation, representation, gender and politics, health inequalities, labor market outcomes, or social inequality.
• Meritorious: scientific publications, interdisciplinary collaboration, project coordination, or responsibility for sub‑studies.

Assessment Criteria

• Scientific merit and ability to conduct and develop research within the area of the position.
• Quality of applicant’s research, ability to work independently, and potential to contribute to the projects.
• Personal suitability: collaborative ability, analytical independence, and responsibility for research tasks within joint projects.

Employment

Full‑time position limited to two years, with the possibility of a one‑year extension. The position is located at the Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg. Starting date: 1 January 2027, or as agreed.

Contact Information

Questions about the position: Elias Markstedt, [e-mail]

Questions about the recruitment process: Helena Jensen, [e-mail]