APPLICATION STATUS: OPEN
Are you considering a PhD in Europe focused on political institutions, democracy and conflict? Uppsala University in Sweden is recruiting two doctoral candidates in Peace and Conflict Research through the Democratic Institutions and Violence Network in Europe (DIViNE), a European research network funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions program.
The positions combine doctoral research and employment with opportunities to collaborate across five European universities. Each candidate will develop an independent research project, participate in network training and complete a research stay and a secondment at a policy organisation.
The two vacancies focus on different questions: how institutional reforms influence violence and democratic consolidation, and why people support or tolerate political violence in advanced democracies.
Applications are due by 9 November 2026. The expected start date is 1 January 2027, or another date by agreement.
Opportunity at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Uppsala University |
| Country | Sweden |
| Department | Department of Peace and Conflict Research |
| Positions available | 2 doctoral candidates |
| Research network | DIViNE |
| Funding | Fully funded doctoral employment |
| Employment | Full-time, 100% |
| Salary | According to the university’s local doctoral salary rules |
| Expected start | 1 January 2027, or by agreement |
| Application deadline | 9 November 2026 |
| Vacancy reference | UFV-PA 2026/2962 |
| Application route | Uppsala University’s online recruitment system |
| Application status | Open at the last official check on 20 October 2026; confirm before applying |
Official vacancy: Read the announcement and access the application system.
About the DIViNE Doctoral Network
The Democratic Institutions and Violence Network in Europe (DIViNE) investigates the relationship between democratic institutions and political violence.
Democratic systems are designed to manage disagreements through elections, legal processes and peaceful participation. However, democracies can still experience riots, electoral intimidation, extremist mobilisation and other forms of political violence. Government responses to perceived threats may also challenge civil liberties, the rule of law and institutional impartiality.
DIViNE brings together researchers using quantitative conflict analysis, behavioural and experimental methods, historical research, institutional theory and policy engagement to investigate these challenges.
The network involves five universities:
- Uppsala University, Sweden
- University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- University of Essex, United Kingdom
- University of Milan, Italy
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain
The two doctoral candidates recruited at Uppsala will join a wider network of 10 doctoral researchers across these institutions.
More information is available on the official DIViNE website.
Compare the Two PhD Positions
Applicants can choose one position or apply for both. The research proposal must match the theme of each selected position.
| Feature | DC 5 | DC 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Research theme | Institutional reform, violence and democratic consolidation | Public support for political violence in advanced democracies |
| Central question | How do reforms during democratic transitions affect violence and reconciliation? | Why do people support or tolerate political violence? |
| Possible methods | Quantitative analysis and qualitative case studies | Survey experiments, framing analysis and comparative research |
| Research stay | University of Essex | University of Milan |
| Policy secondment | CIDOB, Barcelona Centre for International Affairs | Clingendael Institute, Netherlands |
| Required project plan | Must address institutional reform, violence and democratic consolidation | Must address public support for political violence |
PhD Position 1: Institutional Reform, Violence and Democratic Consolidation
This position, designated Doctoral Candidate 5 (DC 5), examines how reforms introduced during democratic transitions influence violence, reconciliation and the consolidation of democratic institutions.
Potential research areas include transitional justice, decentralisation, land and territorial reform, constitutional redesign and power-sharing arrangements.
The candidate will develop an independent research project within this theme. Possible approaches include analysing cross-national or event-level data and conducting qualitative case studies.
The position includes a research stay at the University of Essex and a non-academic secondment at CIDOB in Barcelona. These activities provide opportunities to engage with policy-oriented research, strategic communication and policy communities.
Applicants must submit a project plan addressing institutional reform, violence and democratic consolidation.
This position may interest candidates whose research focuses on democratisation, transitional justice, post-conflict governance, comparative politics or peacebuilding.
PhD Position 2: Public Support for Political Violence in Advanced Democracies
This position, designated Doctoral Candidate 7 (DC 7), investigates why people support or tolerate political violence and how state and non-state actors attempt to legitimise violent actions.
Possible approaches include survey experiments, content and framing analysis, and comparative research across countries or within a particular country.
Candidates can develop their own research ideas within the advertised theme, provided their proposals fit the position’s objectives.
The doctoral trajectory includes a research stay at the University of Milan and a non-academic secondment at the Clingendael Institute in the Netherlands.
Applicants must submit a project plan relevant to public support for political violence in advanced democracies.
This position may be relevant to candidates interested in political behaviour, public opinion, political communication, extremism or comparative politics.
What Does the Funding Cover?
Uppsala University describes both positions as fully funded doctoral appointments. They are employment-based doctoral opportunities, not conventional scholarships with a fixed award amount.
The university states that remuneration follows its local doctoral salary rules. The announcement does not specify a single salary figure, so applicants should consult the university for the applicable doctoral salary scale.
The positions include:
- Fully funded doctoral employment.
- Full-time doctoral research and education.
- Participation in the DIViNE international research network.
- Network training modules, doctoral colloquia and research workshops.
- A research stay at the University of Essex or the University of Milan, depending on the position.
- A non-academic secondment at a policy organisation.
- Opportunities to develop research and policy-engagement skills.
Candidates will primarily focus on their doctoral research and education. Up to 20% of the position may involve additional teaching or administrative responsibilities within the Department of Peace and Conflict Research.
Applicants should not assume that separate relocation grants, accommodation allowances or other benefits are included unless the university confirms them.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must satisfy Uppsala University’s general and specific eligibility requirements for doctoral studies in Peace and Conflict Research.
The selection process considers candidates’ ability to complete the doctoral programme successfully and their suitability for the advertised research position.
Before applying, review the department’s PhD programme guidance and check the academic requirements for postgraduate study.
Important: The MSCA Mobility Rule
Because the positions are funded through the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks scheme, candidates must meet a mobility requirement.
Applicants 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 recruitment.
Applicants who have lived, studied or worked in Sweden should assess their circumstances against the full rule and contact the university if they need clarification.
Meeting the mobility requirement does not guarantee eligibility. Candidates must also meet the university’s academic requirements and demonstrate a suitable research background.
The university welcomes applicants of all genders and diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities.
What African Applicants Should Know
Applicants from Nigeria and other African countries should pay particular attention to three practical issues.
Academic qualification requirements: Check the university’s doctoral admission guidance to confirm that your previous qualifications satisfy its general and specific eligibility rules. Do not assume that nationality alone establishes eligibility.
Certified transcripts: The application requires certified academic transcripts. Check the university’s instructions for the accepted format and certification requirements before submitting documents.
Mobility eligibility: If you have previously lived, studied or worked in Sweden, carefully assess the MSCA mobility rule. Applicants based in Nigeria or elsewhere outside Sweden must also satisfy the academic and research-position requirements.
A strong application should demonstrate a clear research interest and explain how the proposed project fits the selected position.
Required Application Documents
The official vacancy lists the following application materials:
- A completed application form for doctoral studies.
- A personal letter of one to two pages.
- A curriculum vitae (CV).
- Certified transcripts of academic records.
- A research project plan of three to five pages, excluding the reference list.
- Up to two recommendation letters, or a list of up to two referees who may be contacted.
- One to three writing samples.
- An indication of whether you are applying for DC 5, DC 7 or both positions.
Applications should preferably be submitted in English.
If you apply for both positions, you must submit two separate project plans, with each plan tailored to its corresponding research theme.
Consult the official vacancy and doctoral programme guidance for detailed instructions on the application form and supporting documents.
How to Prepare a Strong Research Project Plan
The project plan is one of the most important parts of this application because it must fit the research theme of the selected position. The university specifies a length of three to five pages, excluding the reference list.
The following is editorial preparation guidance, not a substitute for the university’s formal instructions.
1. Define a focused research question
Identify the specific issue you want to investigate. Avoid a topic that is so broad that it cannot be addressed meaningfully within a doctoral project.
2. Explain why the question matters
Show how your proposed research relates to existing scholarship and what it could help researchers understand.
3. Choose an appropriate method
Explain how you would investigate the question. Depending on your topic, this could involve quantitative data, comparative case studies, survey experiments or content analysis.
4. Demonstrate feasibility
Explain what evidence you would need and how the project could realistically be conducted. Your proposed scope should be manageable for doctoral research.
5. Connect the proposal to the selected position
For DC 5, the proposal must address institutional reform, violence and democratic consolidation. For DC 7, it must address public support for political violence in advanced democracies.
6. Follow the formal requirements
Respect the page limit, cite sources consistently and check the university’s instructions before submission. If applying for both positions, prepare a separate plan for each.
Applicants should also follow the university’s academic integrity requirements when using AI tools to prepare application materials.
How to Apply for the Uppsala University PhD Positions
Applications must be submitted online through Uppsala University’s recruitment system. Sending an email enquiry to the academic contacts does not replace the formal application.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official vacancy announcement.
- Confirm that applications are still being accepted.
- Locate “2 PhD candidates within Peace and Conflict Research (DIViNE)”, reference UFV-PA 2026/2962.
- Read the full vacancy and doctoral programme guidance.
- Decide whether to apply for DC 5, DC 7 or both.
- Prepare the relevant project plan or plans.
- Gather your personal letter, CV, certified transcripts, writing samples and references.
- Complete the online application and submit all required documents before the deadline.
Official Contacts
For questions about the positions or doctoral programme, contact:
- Desirée Nilsson: phdprogramme@pcr.uu.se
- Hanne Fjelde: hanne.fjelde@pcr.uu.se
For the application itself, follow the instructions in the official vacancy announcement.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 9 November 2026.
The expected start date is 1 January 2027, or another date by agreement.
Check the official vacancy page before submitting your application in case the recruitment status or instructions change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these Uppsala University PhD positions fully funded?
Yes. The university describes both positions as fully funded doctoral appointments. Remuneration follows local doctoral salary rules; the vacancy does not specify one fixed salary amount.
Can Nigerian applicants apply?
Applicants from Nigeria may apply if they meet the university’s academic admission requirements, the relevant research-position requirements and the MSCA mobility rule.
Do I need a research proposal?
Yes. A project plan of three to five pages, excluding references, is required. It must match the selected research theme.
Can I apply for both positions?
Yes. Applicants may apply for both positions but must submit a separate project plan for each.
What is the MSCA mobility rule?
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 recruitment.
What is the deadline?
Applications are due by 9 November 2026.
When do the positions begin?
The expected start date is 1 January 2027, or another date by agreement.
Where do I apply?
Apply through the official Uppsala University vacancy announcement.
Final Takeaway
The two Uppsala University PhD positions offer an opportunity to undertake funded doctoral research in peace and conflict studies while participating in an international European research network.
The most important preparation steps are to confirm academic eligibility, assess the MSCA mobility requirement, choose the research theme that fits your interests and develop a focused project plan.
Read the official vacancy carefully and prepare your application before 9 November 2026.
Editorial Verification
Editorial note: Applicant preparation advice is editorial guidance; the university’s official vacancy and doctoral programme instructions determine final eligibility and submission requirements.
Primary source: Uppsala University’s official vacancy announcement.
Vacancy reference: UFV-PA 2026/2962.
Last checked: 20 October 2026.
Status at last check: Open; deadline listed as 9 November 2026.
Funding: Fully funded doctoral employment, with remuneration under local doctoral salary rules.
Eligibility note: Academic admission and the MSCA mobility rule apply.
