Doctoral Research Fellow (DIViNE), Department of Government

Project Overview

About the Position

The University of Essex recruits a Doctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Government within the DIViNE MSCA Doctoral Network on political violence and democracy. The fellow will pursue doctoral research on political violence, institutional reform and democratic resilience, contributing to the network's comparative research programme. Essex's Department of Government is one of the UK's leading political science departments, with long-standing research strengths in conflict, democracy and political behaviour.

The appointment carries a salary of GBP 38,784 - GBP 46,049 per annum, reflecting the MSCA doctoral candidate conditions, and includes network-level training, secondments and joint supervision across DIViNE partner institutions. The vacancy page lists a closing date of 11 November 2026, while the DIViNE network's application deadline is 15 November 2026, so candidates should prepare their materials early. The fellow will be based in Colchester with access to Essex's research centres and data resources.

Candidate Profile and Application Route

Applicants hold a strong master's degree in political science, government or a related social-science field, with demonstrated interest in political violence or democracy research and suitable quantitative or mixed-methods skills. MSCA mobility rules apply to doctoral candidates in the network, so applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the UK for more than 12 of the last 36 months. Applications are submitted through the University of Essex online recruitment system with a CV, transcripts, references and a research statement.

Highlights

MSCA DIViNE Doctoral Research Fellow position
Department of Government, a UK-leading political science unit
Political violence and democracy research programme
Salary GBP 38,784 - 46,049 per annum
Network training, secondments and joint supervision
Page deadline 11 November 2026; network deadline 15 November 2026

Funding and Duration

Component	Details
Award or position	PhD fellowship / salaried position
Stipend / salary	GBP 38,784 - GBP 46,049 per annum (Doctoral Research Fellow salary)
Duration	Three to four years (MSCA doctoral researcher fellowship, per the DIViNE network terms)

Eligibility and Requirements

Component	Details
Applicant eligibility	Worldwide
Academic preparation	Strong master's record in political science, government or a related social-science field (MSCA mobility rules apply)
Language	English proficiency required

Application dates

Component	Details
Recruitment status	Open
Deadline	11 November 2026
Location	Colchester, United Kingdom

About University of Essex

The University of Essex is a public research university in Colchester, England, with additional campuses in Southend and Loughton. Its Department of Government is ranked among the strongest in the UK, and the university is internationally known for research on conflict, human rights, democracy and the social sciences. Doctoral researchers join an international academic community with dedicated graduate training and funding support.

Official details: Read the programme or project information

Application route: Follow the official application instructions

Contact

Questions about this position, eligibility or the application process should be raised through the contact channel given on the official announcement page (see the Official Link section above). Always quote the position reference in your message so the admissions or HR team can route your enquiry quickly.

Important Notes

Application deadline: 11 November 2026 - late or incomplete applications are normally not considered.
Listing details were recorded from the official source at the time of publication; always confirm the latest requirements on the official page before applying.
Prepare the documents listed in the eligibility and application sections before starting the online form - transcripts, CV and references take the longest to collect.

How to Apply

Submit your application through the official page before the deadline: 11 November 2026. Read the eligibility requirements carefully and prepare all requested documents - early applications are strongly recommended for competitive awards.

Open the official application page ↗

Application guides

Official Link

https://vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID=163897er3T&WVID=9918109NEm&LANG=USA

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Frequently asked questions

Drawn from this listing's own record. Always confirm the details on the official source before applying.

What is the deadline for Doctoral Research Fellow (DIViNE), Department of Government - University of Essex, United Kingdom?

The application deadline is 11 November 2026. Applications received after that date are not considered, so treat it as a hard cut-off (Europe/London time) and leave time for references and transcripts. Closing time not specified — confirm with the provider before you leave it until the last day: the source names Europe/London but gives no clock time.

Is Doctoral Research Fellow (DIViNE), Department of Government - University of Essex, United Kingdom fully funded?

This is a fully funded award: tuition is covered and a living stipend is provided for the duration of the programme. £38,784/year.

Who is eligible to apply for Doctoral Research Fellow (DIViNE), Department of Government - University of Essex, United Kingdom?

This opportunity is open to applicants worldwide. Host-country status is not a requirement, although you must still satisfy the visa rules for United Kingdom. Applications are assessed by University of Essex.

How do I apply for Doctoral Research Fellow (DIViNE), Department of Government - University of Essex, United Kingdom?

Applications for Doctoral Research Fellow (DIViNE), Department of Government - University of Essex, United Kingdom are submitted directly to University of Essex through the provider's own application portal — use the Apply button on this page to open it. NextApply does not process applications or charge a fee.

Is an English proficiency test required for Doctoral Research Fellow (DIViNE), Department of Government - University of Essex, United Kingdom?

Yes — an English-language certificate is required for this listing. Check the exact band expected on the official source, since it can differ by programme. Requirements for United Kingdom are published by the provider.

What study level does Doctoral Research Fellow (DIViNE), Department of Government - University of Essex, United Kingdom offer?

This listing is offered at PhD level. That describes the qualification on offer, not a credential you must already hold — check the provider's stated entry requirements before applying.

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Doctoral Research Fellow (DIViNE), Department of Government - University of Essex, United Kingdom