Three PhD Students for a New Project on a Global Constitution

at  Universiteit van Amsterdam

Three PhD Students for a New Project on a Global Constitution
Faculteit/Dienst: Faculteit der Maatschappij- & Gedragswetenschappen
Opleidingsniveau: Master
Functie type: Promotieplaats
Sluitingsdatum: 20 September 2024
Vacaturenummer: 13329

THREE PHD POSITIONS FOR A NEW PROJECT ON A GLOBAL CONSTITUTION

Are you passionate about research and want to make an impact on environmental issues and social justice? The department of Human Geography, Planning and International Development is seeking three PhD candidates for a new project on a Global Constitution funded by the National Science Foundation’s Spinoza Prize awarded to Prof. Joyeeta Gupta.
The successful candidates will be part of a dynamic research team led by Professor Gupta. Her research focuses on the strategic issues of multi-level (local-to-global) governance and just and inclusive development. The reason for doing this is that drivers of change and development processes emerge and interact at all scale levels in unpredictable ways. Such dynamics include feedback loops at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• A master’s degree in international relations, development studies, international law, politics, environmental sciences, social science. Preference given to a research master’s or a master’s degree with clear research components;
• Strong interest in the topics of rule of law, governance, constitution, environment, new technologies, public and private international law;
• Knowledge of and experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research methods and data analysis;
• High degree or organisation and ability to work independently and meeting strict deadlines;
• Strong commitment to methodological rigour and scientific integrity;
• Excellent writing skills in English (any other languages are considered a plus, especially Dutch);
• Ability to carry out interdisciplinary research;
• Flexible, demonstrate attention to detail, curious, creative;
• Stress resilient.

DESIRABLE SKILLS

• 1 to 3 years of previous experience;
• Previous publications of academic articles;
• Working knowledge of Dutch is considered a plus;
• Experience and willingness to collaborative research;
• Previous prizes/awards/honours;
• Good understanding of AI;
• Knowledge of database management;
• Commitment or previous engagement within the subject of climate change, social justice, development and human rights.

ABOUT US

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.
A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organisation. The social and behavioral sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.

The PhD positions will focus on innovative and interdisciplinary original research within the disciplines of environmental studies, social and political sciences, international law and the governance of new technologies. The project focuses on designing a Global Constitution. It is based on four methods: the theory on the rule of law and constitutionalism, empirical evidence of what is included in national constitutions, analysis of the new elements that need to be included in a Global Constitution (e.g. global environmental problems; governance of new technologies – block chain, AI, bio-tech; challenges in private and public international law and open science (invitation to actors worldwide to write an essay on what they see is important in a Constitution and become contributing authors). You will be part of this exercise and have expertise in governing new technologies, public private law, or the theory behind constitutionalism, global justice and rule of law. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to work on a very ambitious and innovative global project.
Based on the topic agreed you will develop an extensive high-quality research, write academic articles for publications in high-impact scientific journals with the possibility of presenting them in (inter)national conferences, while supporting the writing of the Constitution. This will include literature reviews, content analysis, mixed methods and empirical research to answer the research question. You may also be involved in teaching activities within the course that the department offers.