PhD student in sociological demography

The Department of Sociology, founded in 1954, offers a dynamic research environment with many interdisciplinary collaborations and a strong international research profile. The English-language master's and doctoral programs in sociology and demography attract applicants from many parts of the world. Currently, we have master's students, doctoral students, and researchers with backgrounds from at least 15 different countries. The department is particularly competitive in the areas of demography, ethnic relations and migration, gender, family sociology, political sociology, social policy, social networks, and social stratification.

The department also houses the Stockholm University Demography Unit (SUDA), an international group of researchers and doctoral students working on many different aspects of population dynamics. Demography is one of Stockholm University's leading research areas.

More information about us can be found at: Sociologiska institutionen.

Project description

The doctoral thesis will be carried out within the framework of the ERC-funded project ”Social Inequalities in Bereavement: From Demographic Rates to Lived Experience (DEM-LOSS)”, led by professor Isaac Sasson. The loss of family members is a ubiquitous human experience that deeply affects social and psychological well-being. Decreased mortality in high-income countries has made this experience more predictable during the life cycle, but among social and socioeconomic groups, the timing and extent of losing family members can vary significantly. The DEM-LOSS project aims to establish the demographic and social determinants for this type of loss during the life cycle, to document social differences within and between countries, and to understand how this in turn shapes how individuals feel, think, and act. The study is divided across several locations, one part at Tel Aviv University and one at Stockholm University. The study will examine the loss of family members in several social and national contexts, including Sweden, Israel, and other countries. More information about the project can be found on the project website.

The doctoral student will be part of a research group based at Stockholm University and is expected to contribute to one or more research goals through both independent work and teamwork. The work consists of formulating research questions, preparing literature reviews, conducting data analysis, coding, and writing research articles. Previous education in quantitative research methods is a requirement, as is experience with various demographic data sources (e.g., population registers, administrative registers, survey data). A main task for the doctoral student will be to use the Swedish population register to link kinship across multiple generations, for the purpose of investigating the occurrence of losses in the family during the life cycle, its underlying demographic factors, and individual consequences.

Eligibility requirements

To be admitted to doctoral studies, the applicant must have basic and special eligibility. Eligibility must be met no later than the last application date.

You have basic eligibility if you have completed a degree at an advanced level, or fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (hp), of which at least 60 hp are at an advanced level, or have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

Special eligibility is described in the general study plan for doctoral-level education in the subject Sociological demography.

Selection

Selection among applicants is made with regard to the ability to undertake doctoral-level education. The criteria used to assess this ability are:

• Documented knowledge in one or more of the following areas: kinship demography, mortality inequalities, social stratification, and life course theory.
• A strong background in demographic and/or statistical research methods and a willingness to undergo further methodological training.
• Experience working with (preferably Swedish) population registers and survey data.
• Consistency between the research plan and the DEM-LOSS project.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a research team.
• Written and oral proficiency in English.

The assessment will be based on previous courses and grades, references, relevant experience, interviews, the candidate's written motivation for applying for the position, and the quality (i.e., originality and feasibility) of the research plan for the doctoral thesis. The applicant will need to submit a preliminary research plan in the application system, a maximum of 1000 words (excluding references). The plan should focus on research themes related to the DEM-LOSS project (e.g., kinship demography, mortality inequalities, family heterogeneity, and social mobility).

Admission order for doctoral-level education at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral studies for four years. As a doctoral student, you will primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral studies, but the employment may include work with education, research, and administration to a limited extent (at most 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is valid for a maximum of one year; the employment is thereafter renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University is committed to being a workplace free from discrimination and provides equal rights and opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information is provided by Prof. Isaac Sasson, isaac.sasson@sociology.su.se.

Application

You apply for the doctoral position via Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is provided to the university no later than the last application date.

Instructions for applicants can be found on the webpage: att söka en anställning.

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