Are you looking for a fully funded PhD opportunity in Europe? Uppsala University in Sweden is recruiting two PhD candidates in Peace and Conflict Research through the Democratic Institutions and Violence Network in Europe (DIViNE), a new European research network funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme. The two doctoral positions offer an opportunity for qualified researchers to investigate political violence, democratic institutions, institutional reform, and public attitudes towards violence in advanced democracies. Successful candidates will join an international network of doctoral researchers and academics working across five European universities and partner organisations. The positions are full-time and fully funded, with an expected start date of 1 January 2027, or another date by agreement. Applications must be submitted by 9 November 2026. About the DIViNE Doctoral Network The Democratic Institutions and Violence Network in Europe (DIViNE) brings together researchers investigating the relationship between democracy, political institutions, and violence. Although democratic institutions are often expected to manage political disagreements through elections, legal processes, and peaceful participation, democratic societies can still experience riots, electoral intimidation, extremist mobilisation, and other forms of political violence. Governments may also respond to perceived threats through measures such as emergency legislation, militarised policing, or selective repression. These responses can create tensions with democratic principles, including civil liberties, the rule of law, and institutional impartiality. DIViNE aims to examine these challenges through an interdisciplinary research approach that combines quantitative conflict research, behavioural and experimental methods, historical and archival research, institutional theory, and policy engagement. 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 successful candidates at Uppsala University will join a wider network of 10 doctoral researchers working across these institutions. PhD Position 1: Institutional Reform, Violence and Democratic Consolidation The first position, identified as Doctoral Candidate 5 (DC 5) within DIViNE, will investigate how reforms introduced during democratic transitions influence violence, reconciliation, and democratic consolidation. Potential research themes include transitional justice mechanisms, decentralisation, land and territorial reform, constitutional redesign, and power-sharing arrangements. The successful candidate will develop an independent research project within the advertised theme and examine how institutional reforms influence incentives for violence and reconciliation. Research may combine quantitative analysis of cross-national and event-level data with qualitative, case-based research. The work is expected to contribute to wider debates about reform sequencing, violent legacies, and the development of stable democratic institutions. The doctoral trajectory includes a research stay at the University of Essex. The candidate will also undertake a non-academic secondment at CIDOB, the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs, providing opportunities to gain experience in policy-oriented research, strategic communication, and engagement with policy communities. Applicants for this position must submit a project plan addressing institutional reform, violence, and democratic consolidation. PhD Position 2: Public Support for Political Violence in Advanced Democracies The second position, identified as Doctoral Candidate 7 (DC 7), will focus on the factors that shape public support for and tolerance of political violence in advanced democracies. The research will investigate why individuals support or tolerate political violence and how state and non-state actors attempt to establish legitimacy for violent actions. Candidates will be able to develop their own research ideas within the position’s broader theme. Possible approaches include survey experiments, content and framing analysis, and comparative research across countries or within a particular country. The doctoral trajectory includes a research stay at the University of Milan. The successful candidate will also complete a non-academic secondment at the Clingendael Institute in the Netherlands, offering exposure to policy research, strategic communication, and professional engagement beyond academia. Applicants for this position must submit a project plan relevant to public support for political violence in advanced democracies. Candidates interested in both positions may submit two separate project plans, provided each plan fits the corresponding research theme. What Does the Fully Funded PhD Opportunity Offer? Uppsala University confirms that both positions are fully funded doctoral appointments. The positions are full-time, with working hours equivalent to 100% employment, and remuneration follows the university’s local doctoral salary rules. The opportunities include: Fully funded doctoral employment. Full-time research and doctoral education. Participation in an international Horizon Europe research network. Access to collaborative research activities across five universities. Research stays at the University of Essex or the University of Milan, depending on the position. Non-academic secondments at policy organisations. Participation in network training modules, doctoral colloquia, and research workshops. Opportunities to develop research, policy engagement, and strategic communication skills. Doctoral candidates will primarily focus on their PhD research and education. However, up to 20% of the position may involve additional teaching or administrative responsibilities within the Department of Peace and Conflict Research. Applicants should note that the announcement does not specify a single fixed salary amount. The applicable doctoral salary scale will determine remuneration. Eligibility Requirements Employment as a PhD candidate requires admission to the doctoral programme at Uppsala University’s Department of Peace and Conflict Research. Selection will consider applicants’ ability to complete the programme successfully and their suitability for the advertised research position. Applicants should first verify that they meet the general and specific eligibility requirements for postgraduate studies in peace and conflict research. A particularly important condition applies because the positions are funded under the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks scheme. 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. Applicants who have lived, studied, or worked in Sweden should carefully assess this requirement before applying. Uppsala University welcomes applicants of all genders and diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. Required Application Documents Applications should preferably be submitted in English and include the following: 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 the applicant is applying for the institutional reform position, the public support for political violence position, or both. The project plan must match the research theme of the position selected. Applicants applying for both positions may submit two project plans. Candidates should consult the department’s doctoral programme guidance for detailed instructions on academic eligibility and the application form. How to Apply for the Uppsala University PhD Positions Applications must be submitted online through Uppsala University’s official recruitment system. Official vacancy and application page:https://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/join-us/jobs-and-vacancies Applicants should search for “2 PhD candidates within Peace and Conflict Research (DIViNE)”, reference number UFV-PA 2026/2962, and follow the instructions provided in the vacancy announcement. For further information, candidates may contact: Desirée Nilsson: phdprogramme@pcr.uu.se Hanne Fjelde: hanne.fjelde@pcr.uu.se More information about the research network is available at https://divine.unimi.it/. Application Deadline The deadline for the two fully funded PhD positions at Uppsala University is 9 November 2026. The expected start date is 1 January 2027, or another date as agreed. Interested candidates should review the official vacancy notice, confirm their doctoral eligibility and compliance with the MSCA mobility rule, and prepare all required documents before submitting their applications. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations.