Reviving shrinking cities (RE-CITY-ITN): 13 PhD positions 1545 views

University of Kaiserslautern in association with the Innovative Training Network “Reviving shrinking cities – innovative paths and perspectives towards liveability for shrinking cities in Europe” (RE-CITY-ITN) invites applications for recruitment of 13 Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) PhD positions for Early Stage Researchers (ESR). The positions are available at department International Planning Systems (IPS) at the University of Kaiserslautern.

The RE-CITY conglomerate consists of scholars and practitioners from nine beneficiary-institutions in eight countries (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, and Mexico). Additionally seven partner-institutions and companies from four countries are collaborating with training and secondments in Germany, Netherlands, USA and Japan.

Requirements:

• The PhDs should apply for doctoral study in one of the 13 projects offered by the nine hosting institutions.
• Applications are open to Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline viz., urban/regional planning, geography, social sciences, economics, political sciences, or similar.
• Applicants must not have spent more than 12 months in the country (working/studying/living) of the hosting institute in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date of 1 April 2019 – unless as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention.
• Applicant must be an Early Stage Researcher (in the first four years (full time equivalent research experience) of his/her research career and not have a doctoral degree)
• Applicant must possess English language proficiency
• Applicant must be highly motivated, have a strong commitment to the research project as a whole, willingness to work in a network and the ability to meet challenges.
• Applicant must demonstrate an excellent understanding of urban development processes and / or structural change.

Applications:

Applications to be sent preferably via e-mail as one single PDF file to re-city@ru.uni-kl.de and should submit the following documents:

• A proposal of approx. 2000 words that demonstrates how the applicant plans to undertake the research project for which he or she is applying. This proposal should include: 1) the research problem of the specific topic; 2) the aim of the doctoral thesis; 3) the methodological approach and how it helps to answer the research question; 4) how the result may advance the respective field/the future development of shrinking cities
• A letter of motivation.
• A CV in the form of a table
• A copy of your Transcript of records (if not in Latin letters, please provide a certified translation).
• A table, which lists the residency/work/study affiliation for the last three years (31 March 2016 until now). If an applicant had more places of residence/work/study in this period, please indicate the periods and countries. A proof of residency be required prior to signing the in the short listed stage.
• Two academic references.

Timeline

• Shortlisted applicants will be informed by 15 November 2018.
• Interviews via Skype or similar services, in November and December 2018.
• Final decisions at the latest by 15 January 2019.
• Starting date for the PhDs is 1 April 20191
• Duration of the contract is 36 months.