PhD Student in Economics (Stockholm University)

The Department of Economic History and International Relations is a dynamic and strong education and research department at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Stockholm University. Its International Relations (IR) section aims to be nationally leading and internationally prominent within its field of research and education, focusing especially on the three IR sub-fields of International Security, International Institutions, and Global Political Economy. For more information about the department’s research groups, see www.su.se/english/research/research-catalogue/research-subjects/f/international-relations The department is looking for a PhD student in IR. The PhD position is fully funded for 4 years by the project “PROTECT – Protectionism in Place: Explaining How Subnational Change Affects Public Support for Protectionism” and positioned at the Department of Economic History and International Relations. Planned entry date is August 31, 2026. About the Doctoral Programme The aim of the doctoral programme is to give the student specialised knowledge within the field of International Relations, a thorough training in research methods, and a good understanding of the problems occurring in research and in the practical application of results. The programme familiarises the student with different structures of politics, economics and society, and gives a broad orientation of the research development within the subject, with the purpose of making the student a critical and independent researcher with the ability to plan and develop scientific projects and publications. There are two main blocks in the programme: Course work (75 credits) Work in connection with the Ph.D. dissertation (165 credits) For further information about the structure of the programme, please see the department’s website. The administrative language at Swedish universities is Swedish, with important information provided in English. About the Project After a period of hyperglobalization, protectionist policies have become more entrenched over the past decade. States have produced a slew of domestic subsidies, investment regulations, and labor migration policies––policies that can benefit certain industries, but are likely to curtail growth and multilateral economic cooperation. Why some citizens support protectionism that is costly to them, while others do not, is the central puzzle that the ERC-funded project “PROTECT – Protectionism in Place: Explaining How Subnational Change Affects Public Support for Protectionism” will examine. It will focus on the effects of local circumstances on public support for protectionism. For this purpose, the project will collect new survey data, panel data, and local context data from select western and non-western countries. Main Responsibilities The PhD student will conduct research within the ERC-project “PROTECT – Protectionism in Place: Explaining How Subnational Change Affects Public Support for Protectionism”. The PhD student will work mostly with the design, collection and analysis of new survey and panel data, and theory-driven empirical research about the extent to which citizens support or oppose protectionism. The PhD student will be part of a collaborative research group engaged in quantitative research on the effects of changing local circumstances on public support for protectionism. Qualification Requirements In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications. General Entry Requirements You meet general entry requirements if you have: Completed a second-cycle degree, or Completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or Otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere. Specific Entry Requirements Admission to doctoral studies in international relations requires: A completed first-cycle programme in international relations or an equivalent programme of at least 90 higher education credits, as well as a completed second-cycle programme in international relations or an equivalent programme of at least 30 credits, of which at least 15 credits (or equivalent) shall consist of independent thesis work at a second-cycle level (either 60 credit or 120 credit Master’s thesis), An additional 60 credits from completed higher education with a theoretical specialisation in subjects relevant to the doctoral studies, or equivalent studies, Sufficient knowledge of English to be able to benefit from the third-cycle education. Selection The selection is based on the applicant’s ability to successfully pursue the research education. Selection criteria and admission regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are specified in documentation provided at www.su.se/english/divisions/department-of-economic-history-and-international-relations/education/courses-and-programmes/phd-studies-in-international-relations More Specific Criteria for the Selection Process Independence in the analysis and planning of previous degree projects Demonstrated ability to work and communicate in teams Previously demonstrated ability to complete tasks within specified time limits Ability to formulate areas of investigation and problems, both in previous projects and in the research plan for the planned thesis project Degree of methodological and scientific maturity in previously performed work, and in the research plan Demonstrated experience with the application of quantitative social science research methods Ability to communicate professionally, both verbally and in writing Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University. About the Employment We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %). A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all. Contact For further information or details concerning the application procedure, please contact: Lisa Dellmuth, Professor of International Relations and Director of Doctoral Studies in International Relations Phone: +46 8 16 10 76 Email: lisa.dellmuth@su.se Johan Svanberg, Chair of the Department of Economic History and International Relations Email: johan.svanberg@su.se Application Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position. Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth. Employment Details Type of employment: Temporary position Contract type: Full time Salary: Fixed salary Number of positions: 1 Full-time equivalent: 100 % City: Stockholm County: Stockholms län Country: Sweden Reference number: SU FV-0302-26 Union Representatives ST/OFR, st@st.su.se Saco-S, saco@saco.su.se Seko, sekodirekt@seko.se Published: 19.Feb.2026 Last application date: 10.Apr.2026 If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Interdisciplinoxy

The Department of Economic History and International Relations is a dynamic and strong education and research department at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Stockholm University. Its International Relations (IR) section aims to be nationally leading and internationally prominent within its field of research and education, focusing especially on the three IR sub-fields of International Security, International Institutions, and Global Political Economy. For more information about the department’s research groups, see www.su.se/english/research/research-catalogue/research-subjects/f/international-relations

The department is looking for a PhD student in IR. The PhD position is fully funded for 4 years by the project “PROTECT – Protectionism in Place: Explaining How Subnational Change Affects Public Support for Protectionism” and positioned at the Department of Economic History and International Relations. Planned entry date is August 31, 2026.

About the Doctoral Programme

The aim of the doctoral programme is to give the student specialised knowledge within the field of International Relations, a thorough training in research methods, and a good understanding of the problems occurring in research and in the practical application of results. The programme familiarises the student with different structures of politics, economics and society, and gives a broad orientation of the research development within the subject, with the purpose of making the student a critical and independent researcher with the ability to plan and develop scientific projects and publications.

There are two main blocks in the programme:

Course work (75 credits)
Work in connection with the Ph.D. dissertation (165 credits)

For further information about the structure of the programme, please see the department’s website. The administrative language at Swedish universities is Swedish, with important information provided in English.

About the Project

After a period of hyperglobalization, protectionist policies have become more entrenched over the past decade. States have produced a slew of domestic subsidies, investment regulations, and labor migration policies––policies that can benefit certain industries, but are likely to curtail growth and multilateral economic cooperation.

Why some citizens support protectionism that is costly to them, while others do not, is the central puzzle that the ERC-funded project “PROTECT – Protectionism in Place: Explaining How Subnational Change Affects Public Support for Protectionism” will examine. It will focus on the effects of local circumstances on public support for protectionism. For this purpose, the project will collect new survey data, panel data, and local context data from select western and non-western countries.

Main Responsibilities

The PhD student will conduct research within the ERC-project “PROTECT – Protectionism in Place: Explaining How Subnational Change Affects Public Support for Protectionism”.

The PhD student will work mostly with the design, collection and analysis of new survey and panel data, and theory-driven empirical research about the extent to which citizens support or oppose protectionism.

The PhD student will be part of a collaborative research group engaged in quantitative research on the effects of changing local circumstances on public support for protectionism.

Qualification Requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

General Entry Requirements

You meet general entry requirements if you have:

Completed a second-cycle degree, or
Completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or
Otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific Entry Requirements

Admission to doctoral studies in international relations requires:

A completed first-cycle programme in international relations or an equivalent programme of at least 90 higher education credits, as well as a completed second-cycle programme in international relations or an equivalent programme of at least 30 credits, of which at least 15 credits (or equivalent) shall consist of independent thesis work at a second-cycle level (either 60 credit or 120 credit Master’s thesis),
An additional 60 credits from completed higher education with a theoretical specialisation in subjects relevant to the doctoral studies, or equivalent studies,
Sufficient knowledge of English to be able to benefit from the third-cycle education.

Selection

The selection is based on the applicant’s ability to successfully pursue the research education.

Selection criteria and admission regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are specified in documentation provided at www.su.se/english/divisions/department-of-economic-history-and-international-relations/education/courses-and-programmes/phd-studies-in-international-relations

More Specific Criteria for the Selection Process

Independence in the analysis and planning of previous degree projects
Demonstrated ability to work and communicate in teams
Previously demonstrated ability to complete tasks within specified time limits
Ability to formulate areas of investigation and problems, both in previous projects and in the research plan for the planned thesis project
Degree of methodological and scientific maturity in previously performed work, and in the research plan
Demonstrated experience with the application of quantitative social science research methods
Ability to communicate professionally, both verbally and in writing

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the Employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years.

As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For further information or details concerning the application procedure, please contact:

Lisa Dellmuth, Professor of International Relations and Director of Doctoral Studies in International Relations
Phone: +46 8 16 10 76
Email: lisa.dellmuth@su.se

Johan Svanberg, Chair of the Department of Economic History and International Relations
Email: johan.svanberg@su.se

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

Employment Details

Type of employment: Temporary position
Contract type: Full time
Salary: Fixed salary
Number of positions: 1
Full-time equivalent: 100 %
City: Stockholm
County: Stockholms län
Country: Sweden
Reference number: SU FV-0302-26