The PhD candidate will be involved in the first work stream of the SWFsEUROPE project. In collaboration with the PI and a postdoctoral research assistant, the PhD will contribute to a ‘global ethnography’ of SWFs and cognate state investment organizations. This entails conducting semi-structured interviews with key informants from SWFs (primarily in the Global South) and key individuals across the range of institutions that interact with SWFs, including the financial services industry, regulators, and other institutional investors (predominantly in the Global North). The objective is to explain how the legitimacy of SWFs as commercially oriented investors is discursively and materially developed given they are still entities of the state. The aim is to explain the complex performance in the field around SWFs that masks their inherent political nature. In consultation with the PI, the PhD candidate will have the opportunity to expand on his/her ideas and the details of the project based on his/her expertise. The PhD candidate will also develop university teaching skills and gain valuable experience by contributing to the teaching programs at Maastricht University.

Social scientists with knowledge and research experience in ‘global political economy’ broadly defined, with a Master’s degree (or currently completing one) are encouraged to apply. This includes, but is not limited to, candidates with backgrounds in political science, economic sociology, geography, international business, and development studies. Skills relevant to the post are: ability to conduct and analyze ‘elite’ interviews; ability to analyze and interpret other primary documentary material; ability to present research findings at academic conferences; and, experience with university teaching and/or motivation to acquire such skills. Excellent communication and writing skills in English are a prerequisite. Candidates with language proficiency other than English, particularly in Mandarin, Arabic, or Russian, are especially encouraged to apply.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

We offer a dynamic and challenging job in an internationally-oriented organisation where young people receive an advanced education and scholars conduct exciting research. The PhD candidate will have the unique opportunity to carry out research within one or more of the four themes within the research programme. S/he will be part of an international network of top universities and renowned scholars within the field. 

We offer a 4 year full-time appointment as PhD candidate. The first year will be a probation period, after a positive assessment the position will be extended with another 3 years. Your workload will be the normal workload for the position of PhD candidates. Currently this implies 80% research activities and 20% teaching activities. 

Remuneration will be according to standard salary levels for PhD candidates starting with a salary of € 2.222,00 with a yearly growth to € 2.840,00 gross a month (based on a full-time appointment).  

Each year the standard salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.  

You have to be willing to move to (the vicinity of) Maastricht. If you do not already live in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings) you will be eligible for an allowance for moving costs. If you do not already live in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings) you might be eligible for an allowance for alternative housing. Other secondary conditions include e.g. a pension scheme and partially paid parental leave. 

You will be provided with shared office space and a PC.

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 16,300 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) has about 250 staff members, and about 1,600 students. More than 76% of the students are non-Dutch (64 different nationalities). All programmes are offered in English and some are also offered in Dutch. FASoS offers two 3-year bachelor’s programmes: Arts and Culture and European Studies. It also offers eight different 1-year Master’s programmes and two 2-year research master’s programmes.
Research is organised around four programmes: Politics and Culture in Europe; Science, Technology and Society Studies; Arts, Media and Culture; and Globalisation, Transnationalism and Development. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is housed in the historic city centre of Maastricht.

Our Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences offers the opportunity to pursue a PhD in the interdisciplinary field of arts and social sciences. You receive a coherent program of introductory courses, intensive supervision and frequent discussion with the senior researchers inside and outside the Faculty. The Programme can be characterized by its international and interdisciplinary nature and the emphasis on cultural and societal issues of the modern world.  

The School focuses on four themes:

1. Politics and Culture in Europe.

2. Maastricht University Science, Technology and Society Studies.

3. Globalisation, Transnationalism and Development.

4. Arts, Media and Culture.