Qualification criteria

1. An eligible candidate must hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent degree in Human or Social Sciences.
2. Possible subject areas for a PhD project include:

• theory and sociology of politics, methodology of political sciences
• philosophy and political thought
• political movements and doctrines
• states and political systems
• political parties and social movements
• area studies
• international relations
• administration and local government
• public policies
• political behaviour and political culture; civil society
• public and political discourse, political marketing, civil education.

3. The recruitment procedure is competitive. Points are assigned for each stage of the evaluation process:

a) A research proposal (0-15 pts.) which may be an outline of the prospective PhD dissertation. The proposal should be written in Polish or English and should contain between 10,000 and  18,000 characters without spaces (excluding bibliography). The proposal is evaluated by two reviewers representing the discipline, appointed by the chairperson of the selection committee  among researchers entitled to supervise PhD projects and specializing in the area specified in the project. The average of points granted by each of the reviewers in the following categories constitutes a final evaluation of the project:

• formulating the research objective (0-3 pts.)
• knowledge of the current state of research (0-2 pts.)
• proposed research methodology (0-3 pts.)
• originality and cognitive value (0-2 pts.)
• feasibility of the project, confirmed by an established researcher (0-5 pts.)

b) An interview (0-20 pts.), which aims to verify the candidate’s competence and research interests in relation to the proposed project as well as their general knowledge in the selected discipline. The interview may be conducted in Polish or, only by consent of the chairperson of the selection committee, in English. The final evaluation of the interview is the average of points awarded by each member of the Selection Committee in the following categories:

• oral presentation of the research proposal (0-5 pts.)
• justification of the project: its premises, objectives, proposed methodology, originality (0-5 pts.)
• taking part in an academic discussion (0-5 pts.)
• general knowledge in the discipline (0-5 pts.)

c) Evaluation of scholarly activity within the last five years (0-7 pts.):

• publication in a scientific journal, publication of a monograph book or a chapter in a monograph book published by a press included in the list of the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (0-2 pts.)
• participation with a paper in a scientific conference of an international range (0-2 pts.)
• national or international internships or scholarships of min. 7 days (0-1 pt.)
• outstanding achievements in a student research club or participation in scientific projects carried out as part of professional activity (0-1 pt.)
• awards or scientific honours (0-1 pt.)

Relevant certificates / confirmations must be submitted. For publications, printouts are required.