The Department for Migration and Globalisation is inviting a highly motivated and committed short-term research fellow from 1 September 2022, or soon thereafter, until 31 December 2022 for preparing a PhD research proposal in the area of (im)mobilities in displacement contexts, with a geographical focus on Syrian displacement in the Middle East and in Europe. The successful candidate is supported in acquiring funding for a PhD in Migration Studies at the University for Continuing Education Krems starting at the latest in autumn 2023, preferably before.
The PhD proposal should add to research on migration drivers and migration decision-making, by addressing the question why people move, stay or return in conflict settings and which role broader life aspirations play in this regard. The questions of how life plans influence (im)mobility in conflict settings and how they are intertwined with other factors such as violence, fear, hope, future imaginations, and socio-economic factors, in influencing displacement trajectories are not fully understood.
The purpose and goal of this research fellowship is to prepare a sound PhD research proposal and to apply for third party funding in January 2023, both prerequisites for being accepted as a PhD student at the Department of Migration and Globalisation. Specific information about the funding body and the call can be found here: https://www.gff-noe.at/calls/#fti-dissertationen.
During this four-month research fellowship, the visiting fellow will be working on the draft proposal, discuss progress in seminars and receive guidance and feedback from migration scholars of different backgrounds and disciplines. The candidate will benefit from an international research environment, a familial atmosphere, and opportunities for intellectual exchange with other researchers as well as other PhD students. The quality of the PhD proposal will be continuously evaluated over the course of the fellowship and only high-quality proposals will be supported for submission.
Selected research fellows will receive reimbursement of travel and cost of stay up to maximum 2000 EUR; beyond this amount, fellows need to provide for themselves during the four-month stay at the University for Continuing Education Krems. The fellowship can be partly done in a hybrid format if needed. If the PhD proposal development and funding application are successful, candidates will receive a fixed term employment contract for three years to complete a PhD in Migration Studies, enrolling into the PhD programme in Migration Studies at the latest by autumn 2023. Applicants for this fellowship are expected to have received a very good master’s degree in a social science discipline (preferably recently acquired or recent work experience in research), have a proven interest in displacement related
topics, have experience working with qualitative and/or quantitative methods and very good oral and written communication skills in English. We are looking for candidates who are able to work independently
but also enjoy collaborating in an interdisciplinary and diverse team. We value diversity and welcome all applications – regardless of gender, nationality, ethnicity, social origin, religion/belief, disability, age and sexual orientation and identity. Applicants with a migration and displacement background are strongly encouraged to apply.
Full applications for this research fellowship include:
- a complete CV
- a motivation letter
- a short exposé of about 5 pages outlining initial research ideas (in English)
- one writing sample (in German, English or French).
Please send your application by email to
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed online on 4 July; offers will be made in the following week.
For any further questions, please contact: