Danube University Krems is Europe's leading university for continuing education. As the only public university for continuing education in the German-speaking area, it specialises in upskilling programmes for working persons and, in teaching and research, is engaged in tackling current and future social challenges. Currently around 8,000 students from more than 80 countries are enrolled in Master's studies and short programmes.
 
To strengthen our team at the Faculty of Business and Globalization ( Department for Migration and Globalization and Department for E-Governance) we are looking for:

30 hours/week                                                                                                    Adv.-Nr.: SB20-0042
 
This PhD studentship is part of the interdisciplinary research project "Smart Migration and Asylum Governance (SMAG)", which aims to contribute to a better understanding of the governance of asylum and migration. This involves research aimed at a better understanding of the effects of migration and asylum policies on cross-border mobilities and mobility choices as well as research focusing on the dynamics of international cooperation in the context of forced displacement. SMAG research evaluates asylum and migration policy options in connection to other societal and political goals.
 
More information on the SMAG project can be found here.
 
Your t asks

• Engaging in international research collaboration
• Finishing a PhD in Migration Studies within three years
• Publishing findings in relevant academic channels
• Translating findings for policy audiences and engaging in research-policy dialogues
• Interdisciplinary research on effects on migration and broader policy measures targeting countries of origin and transit, based on agent-based modelling to understand policy interventions. The PhD project should also investigate the potential and limitations of agent-based modelling within the respective phases of the migration policy cycle.

 
Your p rofile

• Very good Master's degree in informatics, or economics, politics, sociology, geography, population studies or related discipline
• Good knowledge and experience in applying and developing computer-based modelling tools as well as programming and software development is required
• Experience in agent-based modelling is desirable
• Previous experience or involvement in a trans- or interdisciplinary team or setting will be an advantage.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English (C1), German skills are desirable

 
 
Your perspective

• A part-time position (30 hours per week) for a period of 3 years and a minimum gross monthly salary of EUR 2,876.99 on a full-time basis (job group W3/1 of the Work and Remuneration Regulation)
• An innovative and modern working environment at Campus Krems
• Excellent opportunities of continuing education with the University's own programmes, a comprehensive offer of health promotion and Campus Sport; the University's own child care facility "Campus Kids"
• Good transportation options – Campus shuttle bus from and to the railway station

 
Danube University Krems is committed to diversity as a guiding principle and aims to increase the proportion of female scientists. We therefore explicitly invite qualified women to apply. Women with the same qualifications are given priority. Also persons with disabilities who meet the required qualification criteria are explicitly invited to apply for this position.
 
We are looking forward to receiving your convincing online application by 26 June 2020.
 
We expect the following documents in support of your application:

• Motivation letter in English (max. 2 pages).
• Tentative research proposal (ca. 2-5 pages). Please include a brief sketch of research ideas for a PhD project that addresses the aims of the respective SMAG (sub-)project. Proposals should include a problem description, a discussion of research questions including expected contribution to the literature, methodology/ approach and tentative workplan. 
• Curriculum Vitae
• Degrees and transcripts
• One academic writing sample in English or German (e.g. Master thesis or another single-authored piece of written work)

Note that only complete applications will be considered, with the exception of formal documents that cannot be obtained for factual reasons. The assessment of tentative research proposals will be an integral part of the selection procedure. Criteria applied will include overall quality of the proposal including coherence/consistency, originality of the topic/research question, appropriateness of the theoretical framing and methodology, and feasibility of the project. 
 
Please note that there are currently three PhD studentships advertised for this project. You may apply to more than one PhD studentship but it requires separate applications. For more information on all three PhD positions of this project and to apply via our Online-Tool please go to: http://www.donau-uni.ac.at/vacancies
 
Specifying our privacy policies ( https://www.donau-uni.ac.at/dataprotection), please take note that your application will possibly be forwarded to the Austrian Ministry of the Interior who is co-sponsoring the studentships and participating in the final selection of candidates.