Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Cross-National Survey Methodology in Political Science

Reference number PAR 2026/214

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Political Science is an international academic environment that welcomes students, researchers, and staff from all over the world. Our research covers topics such as political institutions, elections, public opinion and democracy, international and European politics, environmental politics, corruption, and political ideas. The Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg is ranked as the best in Sweden and one of the top 10-15 in Europe in its subject area, according to the global Shanghai ranking of academic subjects for 2024. We organize a large number of research seminars and workshops each year in the various research areas of the department. We offer education at all levels in both Swedish and English. In total, around 1,400 people study with us, and we have around 170 employees.

For more information about the Department, visit our website The Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg

The Department of Political Science invites applications for a post-doctoral fellow affiliated with the Varieties of Democracy Institute and the Governance and Local Development Institute . The employment is limited (temporary) for 2 years, full-time and is currently placed at the Department of Political Science. Starting date - as early as possible.

Description of the program/project

V-Dem Component: The V-Dem Dataset consists of 15 thematic surveys, many of which were originally developed over a decade ago and expanded incrementally over time. The postdoctoral researcher would lead systematic validation exercises for existing V-Dem survey items, develop and test revised questions where appropriate, and design studies to assess mode effects associated with digital survey administration. This work would directly contribute to improving data quality, comparability across V-Dem’s thematic surveys and country units, and engage with the V-Dem survey methodology.

GLD Component: The Local Governance Process Indicators (LGPI) survey is a large-scale household survey designed to capture local governance processes in a way that is locally meaningful yet globally comparable. This dual objective raises methodological challenges related to question wording, answer scale selection, and survey mode. The postdoc researcher would lead validation analyses using LGPI 2026 data, propose and test revisions to survey items as needed, and address open methodological questions related to digital survey implementation.

Subject area 

Political science

Subject area description 

Political Science is the study of politics.

• Cross-national survey methodology
• Questionnaire design, evaluation, and testing (QDET)
• Survey and indicator validation

Duties 

The employment as a postdoctoral fellowship aims to give the employee an early opportunity to develop his independence as a researcher after completing his doctoral degree and to create the conditions for further qualifications. The person employed as a postdoctoral fellow must mainly conduct research. Teaching can be included in the work duties, but to a maximum of one-fifth of the working time.

The work includes leading systematic validation of existing survey instruments within the V-Dem thematic surveys and the Local Governance Process Indicators survey . This involves identifying underperforming survey items, developing and testing revised questions, and assessing measurement validity and cross-national comparability.

The position also entails designing and implementing studies to evaluate mode effects related to digital survey administration, as well as contributing to methodological development in questionnaire design, answer scale construction, and survey implementation in both expert and household surveys.

Both the V-Dem and GLD components seek to measure complex, difficult-to-observe concepts in a cross-national framework. At the same time, the surveys are administered to very different populations--experts in the case of V-Dem and citizens in the case of LGPI--creating a unique comparative setting for advancing survey methodology. The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to develop independent research that leverages these contrasting survey contexts to produce generalizable insights into measurement validity, response processes, scale design, and mode effects. This comparative infrastructure provides strong potential for high-impact methodological publications that extend well beyond the immediate needs of either project.

Collaboration with researchers at both institutes is expected, including close cooperation with communication officers, research support and administrative staff.

Eligibility 

Eligible to be employed as a postdoctoral fellow is someone who has a doctorate in political science or a closely related subject at the latest at the time the employment decision is made. In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years before the end of the application period should be considered. Even those who have completed their degree previously can be considered if there are special reasons.

For more information regarding eligibility please visit The Appointment Procedure GU 2024/1687

Assessment criteria 

You must have a doctoral degree, no later than the date on which the appointment decision is made. We are looking for someone with previous experience of research related to the research area described above.

The following qualities are required:

• PhD in survey methodology, statistics, political science, development economics, global studies, public health, crisis management, sociology, or related field
• Demonstrated expertise in survey methodology, including questionnaire design, measurement validity, and survey evaluation
• Strong quantitative research skills, including advanced statistical analysis of survey data
• Experience working with cross-national data and/or complex survey datasets
• Demonstrated ability to independently design and implement empirical research studies
• Strong record of academic writing (in English)

The following qualities, while not all required, are meritorious:

• Advanced training or demonstrable experience in experimental design
• Previous experience in research on local governance
• Previous experience in research on democracy

Applicants must have excellent written and oral proficiency in English as the working language will be English.

To be successful in this position, you must have an eye for detail, good organizational skills and be able to solve problems. You need to have excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Great emphasis is placed on personal suitability for the position. We will make an overall assessment and the applicant who is considered to be best qualified to carry out and develop the tasks described above will be appointed to the position.

Employment 

The employment is limited (temporary) for 24 months, with the possibility of extension up to 3 years. 100% of full-time at the Department of Political Science. Starting date as soon as possible,

Contact information 

If you have questions regarding the employment, or details about the projects in which this position is organized, please contact Program Coordinator Saga Cambon, saga.cambongu.se

If you have any questions regarding the employment procedure, please contact Helena Jensen, helena.jensengu.se

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:  ?url=www.gu.se%2Fom-universitetet%2Fjobba-hos-oss%2Fhjalp-for.%26h&module=jobs&id=3209921" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=www.gu.se%2Fom-universitetet%2Fjobba-hos-oss%2Fhjalp-for.%26h&module=jobs&id=3209921" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.gu.se/om-universitetet/­jobba-hos-oss/­hjalp-for.&h p o i n t;.  

Application 

Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the "Apply" button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.  

We kindly ask you to write your application in English as the application will be reviewed by English-speaking staff. In the selection process, interviews and reference taking will be in English.

The application should include the following:

• A letter of application (max 2 pages), outlining how your research agenda can contribute to this project. It should clearly show the ways in which the applicant meets the requirements specified above.
• A CV (including list of publications)
• One writing sample
• A list of at least three references (with contact information) from whom letters of recommendation can be solicited

Applications must be received by: 2026-04-01

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
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The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.