Lediga jobb som Framtidsforskare i Södertälje

Sankt Ignatios Foundation has been engaged since 2014 in strengthening the integration of Ukraine with the European Society, working closely with all three eastern churches in Ukraine: The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Ex-Moscow Patriarchate) and the Greek-Catholic church in Ukraine. We are now ready to invite applications for a part-time Postdoctoral Fellow research position, as a guest scholar, which later on may be transformed into a teaching position. The appointment is for two years with an option for renewal. The target start date is November 15th, 2023.
Project description: The position is part of a collaborative project between Sankt Ignatios Foundation, Sankt Ignatios College and partners in Ukraine. Ukraine has a strong civil society, which has survived several transitional phases in society, but it is a society marked by major protests in the last decades. Sweden has been a big donor in the reconstruction of Ukraine, but Ukraine is still suffering from a weak link between civil society and representative democracy. The aim of this project is to understand how this link functions and how a strong civil society beyond the act of simply protesting may be achievable. The project is divided in four parts:
A. To achieve this, we need a better understanding of why the positive energy of these protests is not channeled into representative democratic institutions. Positive alternatives cannot surface without moving forward in understanding the social structure that creates an imbalance between civil society and representative democracy. Recent years have produced trends in civil society that are difficult to grasp and understand. In the first part of the project we intend to map out and try to understand this global change and how it has effected Ukraine, prior to the war. The estimated time span is between 1 January 2024 until the end of June 2024
B. In the second phase, we take a glance on the present situation in the shadow of the war. Has the conflict weakened civil society, or is it stronger? Another question regards the link between civil society and representative democracy. Has this link weakened or could we project an expectation that civil society will be able to surpass the simple act of protesting, and instead participate in elections? The estimated time span is between 1 January 2024 until the end of 2024.
C. In the third phase, we look at new models for democratic participation beyond protesting, and for that purpose we are intending to work with the local parishes that constitutes a part of civil society that has traditionally been a link between civil society and representative democracy. In cooperation with Dialogue in Action, which is a part of ECSA, and Sankt Ignatios College, we intend to develop new models for democratic learning, where Swedish folkbildning and local initiatives will join forces based on the previous results in phase A and B. The estimated time span is 1 July 2024 until the end of June 2025.
D. The final phase will work with the institutionalization of the outcome of the project, preliminary divided in two streams. On one hand secure the continued research on the link between civil society and representative democracy, with a certain consideration of the role of the churches in Ukraine. Collaboration in this phase will take place together with National Pedagogical Dragomanov University. On the other hand, secure democratic learning processes through educational processes, i.e. establishing something similar to a Folkhögskola, where theories for enhanced democratic participation through learning processes can be advanced on the ground. In the end of this phase the work will be handed over to the local partners involved, after evaluating the results of the project. Sankt Ignatios Foundation may keep certain parts depending on the outcome of the project. The estimated time span is 1 January 2025 until the end of 2025.
Description of the duties of the guest researcher: In the first and second phase the postdoctoral researcher or assistant professor will help to arrange and conduct interviews and establish focus groups, code and analyze transcripts, and review scholarly literature. Collaboration on co-authored scholarly publications is anticipated and desirable. The work will be conducted partly on the field in Ukraine and partly at our center in Södertälje until data collection is complete (presumably between 4-6 months (1 January 2024 until end of June 2024), depending on rate of progress). Remote or hybrid work arrangements are possible during data analysis and writing phases of the project. In the third phase the scholar will work qualitatively with developing methods for democratic learning processes, with one focus on transformed religious education. Method resources will be provided by National Pedagogical Dragomanov University in Kyiv, Sankt Ignatios College and Dialogue in Action, which will take between 6-12 months depending on the potential success in certifying these methods. Some teaching will be attached to the position.
Qualifications: Applicants are expected to have a Ph.D. in the social sciences or adjacent humanities by the start date, and equal competence in qualitative data collection and analysis, and practical pedagogics. Experience or qualifications in religious education is a merit. Applicants must be able to work comfortably in academic and congregational settings, work independently and collaboratively, and communicate effectively. English and Ukrainian is a must.
Experience in working with churches in conflict, and conflict resolution is a must, in combination with articles or lectures written on the subject.
Application process and other conditions: The position will relate to our partners in Ukraine, but for various reasons, among them security, Sankt Ignatios Foundation requires that no other employment will be joined to this position, without prior approval by the foundation.
The guest scholar will work closely with Sankt Ignatios research seminar. The research seminar convenes every second week and attendance is required, either on campus or online.
The application is sent to [email protected] at latest October 16th with CV and a personal letter.
Union contact is [email protected] Visa mindre