PhD Position in International Migration and Ethnic Relations (IMER) – Undocumented Migrants’ Rights and Welfare Professions Malmö University in Sweden

Malmö University is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position in International Migration and Ethnic Relations (IMER) within the ERC Starting Grant project GIVE RIGHTS. The doctoral student will join the Faculty of Culture and Society, Department of Global Political Studies, and be part of the Malmö Institute for Migration Studies (MIM). The research will focus on the rights of undocumented migrants and the role of welfare professionals, with fieldwork conducted in the Netherlands.

The GIVE RIGHTS project investigates how undocumented migrants’ rights and welfare professionals’ collective contestations interact, especially as migration control is increasingly delegated to various societal actors. The project compares experiences across Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK, using methods such as surveys, policy mapping, qualitative media analysis, participant observation, focus groups, and expert interviews. The doctoral student will contribute to media studies of Dutch news outlets and support survey distribution in the Netherlands, collaborating closely with the project team.

Applicants should have a strong academic background, with a Master’s degree or equivalent in IMER or a related field, and demonstrate independent analytical skills, methodological maturity, and a clear research interest in topics such as undocumented migration, sanctuary cities, migrant rights, welfare/social rights, activism, human rights, unions, or social movements. Experience with research interviews is required, and proficiency in Dutch is an advantage.

The position is fully funded for four years, with salary and social benefits according to Swedish regulations. The doctoral programme consists of 240 credits (four years full-time), including coursework and an independent research project leading to a doctoral thesis. The student is expected to participate actively in the research environment at MIM and attend seminars, project meetings, and common activities.

The application deadline is January 18, 2026, and the position starts on September 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted via Malmö University’s recruitment system. For more information, contact Principal Investigator Jacob Lind ([email protected]), Professor Maja Povrzanovic Frykman ([email protected]), or Head of Department Mona Lilja ([email protected]). Further details about the project and doctoral studies at Malmö University can be found on the university’s website.

Keywords: International Migration, Ethnic Relations, Undocumented Migrants, Human Rights, Welfare Professions, Social Movements, Political Science, Sociology, Fieldwork Netherlands.