Postdoc & PhD Positions in Gender & Autocratization UPF – 23 octobre 2026

Contexte

Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona, Spain, is inviting applications for two research positions within GUARDA – Global Autocratization Processes and Gender Rights: Indicators, Impacts, and Governance Monitoring. The project examines the relationship between autocratization and the erosion of gender-related rights worldwide, bringing together feminist theory, gender studies, and comparative politics. Both opportunities offer candidates the chance to contribute to comparative research investigating political developments and their implications for women’s rights, sexual and reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ rights across countries and over time.

About the GUARDA Research Project: GUARDA investigates how changes in political regimes are associated with restrictions on gender+ rights around the world. The project combines interdisciplinary approaches to examine the links between political transformation, gender equality, and human rights. A central component of the research involves developing a global comparative dataset on gender+ rights from 1991 onwards. This work includes conceptualising indicators, coordinating and validating AI-assisted data collection, and conducting comparative analyses to understand patterns and changes across different political contexts. Through its research, GUARDA aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between autocratization, governance, and the protection of gender-related rights.

Location and Research Environment: Both positions are based at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain. The university provides the institutional setting for the GUARDA project and its research into the relationships between political regimes, governance, and gender equality.

Missions et responsabilités

• Contribute to developing a global comparative dataset on gender+ rights covering the period from 1991 onwards (Postdoctoral position).
• Focus on indicator conceptualisation, coordination and validation of AI-assisted data collection, and comparative research examining gender-related rights across countries and over time (Postdoctoral position).
• Contribute to the project’s interdisciplinary research framework, supporting the development of indicators and datasets that can help investigate the relationship between political regime changes and the protection of gender+ rights (Postdoctoral position).
• Undertake doctoral research within the broader GUARDA project framework (Predoctoral position).
• Develop doctoral research connected to the project’s central themes, contributing to investigations into autocratization, governance, and gender+ rights (Predoctoral position).
• Engage with interdisciplinary research combining feminist perspectives, gender studies, and comparative political analysis (Predoctoral position).

Profil recherché

• Researchers working in political science, gender studies, feminist research, human rights, comparative politics, and related interdisciplinary fields.
• Candidates meeting the official call for eligibility requirements for the four-year predoctoral research position leading to doctoral research (FPI).

Conditions et avantages

• One-year postdoctoral research position.
• Four-year predoctoral research position leading to doctoral research.
• Based at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain.

Dossier de candidature

• Consult the respective official calls for detailed information about eligibility, required documents, selection procedures, and submission requirements.

Comment postuler

Interested candidates should consult the respective official calls for detailed information about eligibility, required documents, selection procedures, and submission requirements.

Project information: https://lnkd.in/exfZpPec

Application link (Postdoctoral Researcher): https://lnkd.in/eU2cEpDA

Call and application link (Predoctoral Researcher): https://lnkd.in/edKZtKp7

Application deadlines: Postdoctoral Researcher: 9 November 2026; Predoctoral Researcher (PhD/FPI): 14 November 2026.