At the University of Bremen the Collaborative Research Centre 1342 "Global Dynamics of Social Policy" invites applications for the following academic position (under the condition of job release):
PhD Researcher (f/m/d)
Salary Scale TV-L 13, part-time 65%, start date: as soon as possible.
The position is a fixed term position until June 30th, 2026. Reference number: A367/22
The time limitation is based on § 2 (1) WissZeitVG (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, i.e. temporary science employment act). Therefore, candidates may only be considered who dispose of the respective scope of qualification periods according to § 2 (1) WissZeitVG.
The position is part of the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) "Global Dynamics of Social Policy" (Globale Entwicklungsdynamiken von Sozialpolitik) funded by the German Research Foundation and will be located within the project A04: Global developments in health care systems
Project Description
The Collaborative Research Centre 1342 (CRC 1342) "Global Dynamics of Social Policy", funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) since January 2018, examines public social policy in a global and historical perspective. In the second phase of the CRC (January 2022 - December 2025), research will focus on how social policy programs have evolved in terms of coverage and generosity after their adoption. The CRC is divided into two project areas: Project Area A consists of six projects that examine the coverage and generosity of eight social policy areas across the globe. The eight projects of project area B examine dynamics related to coverage and benefit generosity in selected countries and regions from all continents. In an information infrastructure project, the Global Welfare State Information System (WeSIS) will be developed further.
Project A04 is based at the University of Bremen and led by Heinz Rothgang, Lorraine Frisina Doetter, and Sebastian Haunss. It focuses on the development of health care systems worldwide. Adopting mixed-methods, the project has three main goals. First, it quantitatively traces and maps how and why health care systems have changed the inclusiveness and scope of health care services during the last 140 years in a macro perspective. Second, using macro-quantitative methods, it explains these changes with respect to national constellation and political, social, and economic interdependencies between national states and global actors. Third, by way of case studies, the project qualitatively analyses the impact of colonial legacies in the birth of health care systems in Kenya and Nigeria.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will mainly assume tasks related to data collection and analysis. Responsibilities include
- Qualitative data collection on the introduction of social and health policies in former colonies in Africa through expert interview, literature and archival research, and field work
- Data management and documentation
- Qualitative descriptive and explanatory analyses of the introduction and further developments of health care systems, with the use of process-tracing and other qualitative methods
- Participation in project-related publications, events, and networking activities (e.g. organizing workshops, co-editing the CRC Social Policy Country Brief Series, communication with country experts)
The successful candidate will prepare a PhD dissertation thematically related to the project, to be completed in June 2026.
Requirements
- Master Degree in the social sciences or related fields with excellent academic credential
- Good knowledge about social policies, comparative welfare or comparative health care system research
- Experience with / good knowledge of qualitative research methods (e.g. interviews, document analysis, and process-tracing)
- Excellent English-language skills (spoken and written)
- Strong communications skills and willingness to collaborate within the project team and CRC
- Willingness to travel
Desirable
- Knowledge about health care policies / systems
- Knowledge about social policies in Africa
- Knowledge about legacies of colonialism in former colonies, especially former British colonies
- Experience in working with qualitative content analysis software (e.g. NVivo, MaxQDA)
- Experience in archival research
- Working knowledge of German preferred (or strong interest and willingness to learn German)
- Knowledge of additional languages are an asset
General information
The university is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.
The University is committed to a policy of providing equal employment opportunities for both men and women alike, and therefore strongly encourages women to apply for the positions offered. Disabled applicants will be given priority if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially the same.
If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Gabriela de Carvalho (decarvalho@uni-bremen.de).
Applications including a cover letter, CV, publication list (where applicable), copies of degree certificates, and a sample of academic writing (e.g. Master Thesis, published papers, or term paper) should be submitted by February 26th, 2023 with the reference number A367/22 to:
SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy
Prof. Dr. Heinz Rothgang
Postfach 33 04 40
28334 Bremen
or by e-mail (including up to two PDF files; reference number) to: decarvalho@uni-bremen.de
The costs of application and presentation cannot be reimbursed.
Contact:
Dr. Gabriela de Carvalho
CRC 1342: Global Dynamics of Social Policy
Mary-Somerville-Straße 3
28359 Bremen
Phone: +49 421 218-57078
E-Mail: decarvalho@uni-bremen.de