PhD Position in Political Science: Militarization and Democratic Erosion in Latin America
Explore the interplay between militarization, public support, and democratic erosion in Latin America within a prestigious MSCA-funded doctoral network.
Best for:Best for political scientists with a strong background in mixed-methods research, quantitative analysis, and an interest in Latin American politics, public opinion, and democratic theory.
Overview
This PhD position is part of the **Doctoral Network Democratic Institutions and Violence Network in Europe (DIViNE)**, funded by the Horizon MSCA programme. The successful candidate will investigate how militarization shapes public support and democratic quality in Latin America, combining survey experiments, quantitative analysis, and qualitative fieldwork. Supervised jointly by Dr. Abbey Steele (University of Amsterdam) and Dr. Juan Masullo (University of Milan), the project spans Amsterdam, Milan, and Latin American field sites. The PhD will contribute to comparative research on political violence, security policies, and democratic backsliding while engaging in interdisciplinary training, policy outreach, and teaching (up to 10% effort).
What you'll do
- Conduct PhD research on militarization, public support for militarized security, and democratic erosion in Latin America using mixed-methods (survey experiments, quantitative analysis, and qualitative fieldwork).
- Co-author publications with other project members and participate in DIViNE training network activities (workshops, colloquia, secondments).
- Engage in research seminars and workshops at AISSR (Amsterdam) and MiCoRes (Milan), including a 3-month secondment at Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli in Milan.
- Teach Bachelor-level courses (up to 10% effort) depending on availability and PhD schedule.
- Assist with administrative tasks related to project events (workshops, conferences).
- Reside primarily in Amsterdam (or commuting distance) while conducting research and training in Milan and fieldwork in Latin America.
- Develop skills in policy outreach, public communication, and engagement with human rights/security-sector organizations.
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree or equivalent in political science or a closely related discipline, obtained by the start of employment.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; no explicit proficiency test required but excellent command is essential.
Instruction: English
- Excellent command of social science research methods, including quantitative (e.g., regression analysis, causal inference, statistical programming) and qualitative methodologies (process tracing, interviewing, focus groups).
- Interest and ability to conduct fieldwork in Latin America.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
- Proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese.
- Independent thinking and critical analytical skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team.
- Applicant must not have resided or carried out main activity (work, studies) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months before recruitment (MSCA mobility rule).
- Open to candidates from any nationality, but mobility requirements apply.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-06 (Europe/Amsterdam)
Submit a single PDF document containing a CV, a two-page cover letter outlining preparation and motivation, unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, contact details of two academic references, and a writing sample (max. 10 pages). Apply online via the provided link. Additional materials will only be requested for shortlisted candidates.
- CV
- Two-page cover letter
- Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- Contact details of two academic references
- Writing sample (max. 10 pages)
Contact
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