15 PhD Positions in Social Sciences: The BIGSSS Ph.D. Program

28 février 2012 admin Research centers

The Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS) invites applications to its Ph.D. program. The program will commence on September 1st, 2012.

Successful applicants for the Ph.D. and Post-doc fellowships will pursue a topic in one of BIGSSS’ three Thematic Fields.
The Three Thematic Fields:
The integration of most major social-science disciplines into one school is a key asset of BIGSSS. Our umbrella theme is Changing Patterns of Social and Political Integration. In each of BIGSSS’ three Thematic Fields this theme is being examined from a particular perspective. The Thematic Fields are:
– Thematic Field A: Global Governance and Regional Integration

– Thematic Field B: Welfare State, Inequality, and Quality of Life

– Thematic Field C: Changing Lives in Changing Socio-Cultural Contexts – Methods Center

While a specialized curriculum is dedicated to each of these research fields and fellows should demonstrate special interest in one of the areas, BIGSSS encourages its doctoral students to be curious about the research carried out in all thematic fields and to let their own work being challenged by an interdisciplinary community of scholars.
In combination these perspectives yield a panoramic view of the changing patterns of social and political integration in contemporary societies. The basis for teaching and research in BIGSSS’ three Thematic Fields is its emphasis on social-science methods. The BIGSSS Methods Center covers a broad spectrum from quantitative to qualitative methods and combinations thereof.
Doctoral Supervision
In their first semester, fellows participate in a field-specific Proposal Workshop, a class of about 5 students. By the end of the first semester they turn in their finalized Dissertation Proposal and defend it publicly.
In consultation with their respective Field Chairs, Field Coordinator and the Director of Studies, fellows choose their Dissertation Committee by the end of their first year. The majority of the members are members of BIGSSS faculty. One member of their Dissertation Committee is neither a member of the University of Bremen nor Jacobs University. From the second year onward, the Committee closely supervises the fellow’s dissertation progress, also through annual Progress Assessment Colloquia.
Six months prior to graduation, i.e. in the middle of their 3rd year, fellows meet with their Dissertation Committee in a Dissertation Completion Meeting. Fellows also present their dissertation progress and receive feedback each semester in a field-specific Doctoral Colloquium. The regular academic progress of fellows is continually supervised by the respective Dissertation Committee, Thematic Field Coordinator, and by the Director of Studies.
Financial Support
BIGSSS offers 15 Ph.D. stipends of 1250 Euros/month for 36 months, contingent on successful completion of each year. To support its Ph.D. fellows in achieving early scientific independence, it also provides funds for conducting, presenting and publishing research. There is no separate funding application, because all admitted applicants receive a stipend.

The programme will start on 01.09.2012 for a duration of 36 Months. The working language as well as the dissertation language is Englisch.

Eligibility:
– An excellent MA degree (or national equivalents like the German Diplom or Magister) in a discipline pertinent to at least one of BIGSSS’ three Thematic Fields (see above), i.e. in Political Science (including related degree programs in European Studies or International Relations), Sociology, Psychology, Law, Economics or Mass Communication. The degree must be completed by the end of July of the year of application.
– English proficiency.
– Additionally BIGSSS offers 2 Preparatory Fellowships to particularly talented BA Graduates.

Required documents:

• Lebenslauf (Curriculum Vitae)
• Diplom
• Zeugnisse, Zertifikate (Transcripts)
• Motivationsschreiben (Letter of motivation)
• Exposé der Forschungsarbeit (a description of the research project)
• Please have a look at our website: www.bigsss-bremen.de/admissions/phd/application-materials

Host institution:

Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences

Universität Bremen
28359 Bremen

Germany

http://www.bigsss-bremen.de

Supervisor:
Herr Dr. Werner Dressel
http://www.bigsss-bremen.de/index.php?id=wdressel

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