The University of Amsterdam (UvA) has announced two fully funded PhD positions in Political Science under the ERC-funded Government Responses to Internal Displacement (GRID) research project. The four-year doctoral opportunities are based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and will examine how governments respond to internally displaced people through protection, public services and rights — or through repression. Applications are open to candidates with a relevant master’s degree and strong training in political science, quantitative methods and research design. The application deadline is 1 October 2026. The positions offer a gross monthly salary ranging from €3,204 to €4,051, alongside funding for fieldwork and conference participation. About the GRID PhD Project The doctoral positions form part of the ERC-funded project Protect and Repress: The Logic of Government Responses to Internal Displacement (GRID), led by Dr Abbey Steele for the 2026–2031 period. The project investigates how and why governments respond differently to people displaced within their own countries. Internally displaced people (IDPs) represent the world’s largest displaced population and outnumber refugees by more than two to one. Despite this scale, internal displacement remains comparatively understudied in political science. GRID seeks to understand why some governments provide displaced populations with humanitarian assistance, public services and rights protections, while others respond through repression. The research examines how political relationships between national governments, local authorities and displaced populations influence government responses to internal displacement. Two PhD Research Positions Available The University of Amsterdam is recruiting two doctoral candidates, with each candidate expected to develop an independent PhD thesis that contributes to the broader GRID project. Position 1: Comparative Cross-National Research The first PhD candidate will focus on comparative research across countries. The researcher will help develop and analyse a new cross-national dataset documenting governments’ de jure and de facto responses to internal displacement since 1989. The position is particularly suited to applicants with strong quantitative and comparative research experience. There may also be opportunities to conduct qualitative fieldwork for an in-depth country study. Position 2: Burundi Sub-National Research The second PhD position will focus on a detailed mixed-methods study of government responses to internal displacement in Burundi. The research will examine government responses to displaced populations as well as how displaced people respond to government policies and interventions. Regional expertise and language skills relevant to Burundi, including French, will be considered an advantage. Applicants can apply for Position 1, Position 2 or both positions and should clearly state their preference in their cover letter. What Will the PhD Candidates Do? Successful candidates will develop and carry out independent doctoral research within the GRID project, ultimately producing a PhD thesis. Their responsibilities will include collecting and analysing both quantitative and qualitative data, contributing to academic publications and presenting research findings at international conferences. Candidates will also participate actively in the project’s research community and the Amsterdam Conflict Research Network. The positions include a teaching component, with PhD candidates expected to teach classes within the Political Science department for approximately 10% of their contract time. Researchers will also contribute to open and ethical research practices, including data management, research ethics and dissemination. Who Can Apply? The University of Amsterdam identifies two essential requirements for applicants. Candidates must hold, or be able to complete before the start date, a research master’s degree in political science or a closely related discipline. They must also demonstrate strong training in research methods and research design, together with quantitative data-analysis skills. Experience using statistical software such as R or Stata is particularly relevant. The university is looking for applicants with an interest in the politics of violence, displacement and the state. Successful candidates should demonstrate independent and analytical thinking, strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and within an international research team. Additional Skills That Could Strengthen an Application For the comparative cross-national position, experience with quantitative and comparative research will be particularly valuable. For the Burundi-focused position, applicants with regional expertise and relevant language skills are encouraged to apply. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate enthusiasm for developing their research capabilities and contributing to the substantive objectives of the GRID project. The positions may appeal to researchers interested in forced displacement, migration, political violence, conflict studies, comparative politics, African politics, government institutions and humanitarian policy. What the University of Amsterdam Offers The successful candidates will receive a four-year fully funded PhD position within a leading European research environment. The employment contract covers 38 hours per week. The initial contract is for one year, after which it can be extended for up to three additional years following a positive assessment. The gross monthly salary will increase from approximately €3,204 in the first year to €4,051 in the final year, under the applicable Dutch university salary scale. The positions also provide structured doctoral training, funding for research fieldwork and international conferences, and close mentoring through the ERC-funded project. PhD candidates will join an international research team and become part of Amsterdam’s wider conflict-studies community. Research Environment at the University of Amsterdam The GRID project is based within the Political Institutions and Identities group in the Political Science department and the Amsterdam Center for Conflict Studies, part of the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research. PhD researchers will work alongside the principal investigator, postdoctoral researcher and research assistants, as well as international partners including the UNHCR Global Protection Cluster. The research environment also provides access to the Amsterdam Conflict Research Network, bringing together conflict researchers from across the Netherlands and Europe. Application Documents Required Applicants must submit their application as one single PDF containing the following: A cover letter indicating whether they are applying for Position 1, Position 2 or both. A curriculum vitae. Academic transcripts, with unofficial records accepted. A research proposal of no more than 1,000 words, excluding references. A sole-authored writing sample, such as a master’s thesis chapter or seminar paper. The research proposal should explain what the applicant would like to research within GRID and how the proposed research would contribute to the wider project. Application Deadline and Selection Process The closing date for applications is 1 October 2026. Shortlisted candidates will subsequently be asked to provide reference letters and participate in online interviews during the week of 26 October 2026. During the interview, candidates will be expected to discuss their submitted application materials in detail. Decisions are expected to follow the subsequent week. Applicants with questions about the positions can contact Dr Abbey Steele at the University of Amsterdam. Why This PhD Opportunity Stands Out The University of Amsterdam’s GRID PhD positions combine full doctoral funding, a competitive salary, international research collaboration and opportunities for fieldwork and conference participation. For researchers seeking an academic career in political science, conflict studies or displacement research, the positions provide an opportunity to contribute to a major ERC-funded investigation into one of the world’s most significant but understudied displacement challenges. The combination of quantitative cross-national research and detailed country-level investigation also gives prospective candidates an opportunity to develop specialised expertise while contributing to a broader comparative research agenda. Interested applicants should carefully review the requirements and prepare the complete application well before the 1 October 2026 deadline. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities shares academic and career opportunities for informational purposes. It is not the recruiting institution and has no role in the University of Amsterdam’s selection process. Applicants should verify all requirements and application details through the official University of Amsterdam vacancy page before applying. JOIN GSO WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW