The Department of Migration and Globalization at University for Continuing Education is inviting two highly motivated and committed short-term research fellows from January 15th to March 31st 2023, for preparing a PhD research proposal related to two existing FWF-funded research projects. The two successful visiting fellows will be supported in acquiring funding for pursuing a PhD in Migration Studies at the University for Continuing Education Krems starting at the latest in January 2024, preferably before.
The first successful PhD researcher will closely interact with the research project SYREALITY: Syrian Imaginations of Europe, led by Dr. Lea Müller-Funk. 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 second PhD researcher will closely interact with the research project MigFund Analysing change in EU funding for migration and asylum, directed by Dr. Federica Zardo. The PhD proposal should add to research on migration policy and governance by addressing the question why and how EU and national migration policies change, how institutional actors chose a combination of policy instruments and how these dynamics are embedded in a system of multilevel governance.
The purpose and goal of this research fellowship is to prepare a sound PhD research proposal and to apply for third party funding in March 2023, both prerequisites for being accepted as a PhD student at the Department of Migration and Globalization. Specific information about the funding body and the call can be found here: https://www.gff-noe.at/calls/#fti-dissertationen.
During this three-month research fellowship, the visiting fellows 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 to the funding body.
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 three-month stay at Danube University 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 University for Continuing Education Krems at the latest by January 2024.
Applicants for this fellowship are expected to have already 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 either drivers of migration displacement, ideally with a focus on the Middle East (project 1) or European migration policy and politics (project 2), have experience working with qualitative and/or quantitative methods and very good oral and written communication skills in English, as well as additional language skills relevant to the projects. 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 4-5 pages outlining initial research ideas and how they relate to the projects (in English), and one writing sample (in German, English or French).
Please send your application by email to
For further questions, please contact Ms. Tanja Schraml (
We are looking forward to your application!