Deadline: April 5, 2017

The Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Potsdam calls for applications for its Research Training Group on “Wicked Problems, Contested Administrations: Knowledge, Coordination, Strategy” (WIPCAD). The WIPCAD research program is based on systematic interdisciplinary cooperation between political and administrative sciences, organization studies, sociology and public management. It is underpinned by a qualification and gender equality concept that encourages junior scholars from both Germany and abroad to engage with neighboring disciplines, conduct theory-based research, acquire the necessary research skills, gain international experience, and prepare them for future careers in academia and in the public sector.

Scholarship

Scholarship holders will receive a monthly stipend from the “Graduate School Scholarship Programme 17“. The scholarship award comprises:

• a monthly stipend of EUR 1,000;
• a travel allowance based on your country of origin
• a combined health, accident and liability insurance
• a study and research allowance of EUR 460 per year
• a rent and/or family allowance, if applicable

In addition, grants for material costs of EUR 1,000 per year are possible. The scholarship will be for up to a three-year period, contingent upon the successful completion of each year. Extension to a fourth year will be possible only in exceptional and very well-founded cases.

Eligibility

• Applicants must hold a Diploma or a Master’s degree in political and administrative sciences, sociology or (public) management. Familiarity with organizational research is a plus. In exceptional cases, graduates with degrees from related fields may be considered.
• Key selection criteria are the quality of the PhD proposal, how well it falls in with the overall thematic agenda of the Research Training Group, its innovative potential, and its likely contribution to existing knowledge in public organisations and administration;
• International students with a non-German citizenship are strongly encouraged to apply. The Faculty strives to increase the proportion of women in the university and hence strongly encourages women to apply. Applicants with disabilities who are equally qualified will be favored;
• Scholarship recipients will participate in seminars of the Faculty and write their own dissertation in English. Proficiency in English is required.

Application Process

DAAD scholarship holders will be identified by a two-step procedure. In step one, appropriate candidates are nominated for a DAAD scholarship by WIPCAD as the hosting program. In step two, the nominees (2 for each place) submit an online application with supporting documentation via the DAAD portal and the DAAD selection board takes the decision.

Please submit the following documents in English:

• A letter of motivation specifying your academic and professional interests, your current goals, study and career plans. Furthermore, explain why you deem our doctoral program appropriate for your particular background (in English, not exceeding 1,000 words);
• An abstract of your proposal (max. 1 page);
• Your research proposal of the planned dissertation project (only one research proposal) not exceeding 2,500 words (core text, about 5 pages, bibliography excluded). It should contain:
  • summary
  • research question(s), hypotheses and objectives
  • state of research (outlining theoretical and empirical debates on your topic as well as deficiencies in the literature that your dissertation proposal would address)
  • research methods to be employed
  • short bibliography
• The proposal should also include a work schedule listing planned periods and destinations of research or field trips. If you plan a field study, please also submit a short work plan and schedule about the field trip (when, where, how long);
• A complete curriculum vitae – with full contact details and information on your educational background and professional experience, publications and language skills;
• Two letters of recommendation from persons qualified to evaluate your academic qualifications, including your skills in methods, and – where applicable – your professional qualifications, e.g. university professors from the home university, issued during the last two years;
• Certificates or translated documents:
  • school leaving certificate (College, GSEC, etc.) qualifying for admission to higher education in your own country
  • certificates of annual examinations taken at the home university (transcripts of records)
  • certificates of any academic degrees or advanced qualifications showing grades and explaining the home grading system (description of grade scale). For French-speaking countries: License or Maîtrise with Assez-Bien along with a DEA/DESS degree or a Master’s degree according to the LMD system;
• Certification of English Proficiency providing proof of your C1 level English language skills, or equivalent. (see below);
• A list of publications. (if applicable).

Applications should be submitted via email to coordinator@wipcad-potsdam.de

For more information, visit DAAD WIPCAD Doctoral Research Program.