17 Fully-Funded PhD Positions in SOCIAL-DN (MSCA Doctoral Network) – Applications Open for 2026

17 Fully-Funded PhD Positions SOCIAL MSCA DN 2026 offer a unique opportunity for doctoral researchers to join a Europe-wide MSCA Doctoral Network focusing on authoritarian law and governance Key Dates & Details

Overview

The 17 Fully-Funded PhD Positions SOCIAL MSCA DN 2026 programme brings together leading universities across Europe and Canada.

Doctoral candidates will:

• Conduct fieldwork in Central Asia
• Receive joint supervision from multiple institutions
• Undertake academic & non-academic secondments
• Gain interdisciplinary training in sociology, law, governance, and policy studies
• Connect with policymakers through outreach, workshops, and publications

Programme Structure

All candidates selected for the 17 Fully-Funded PhD Positions SOCIAL MSCA DN 2026 will receive interdisciplinary training and secondment experience.

The SOCIAL-DN programme has three core goals:

1. Innovative empirical & theoretical research on authoritarian law, governance, and state–society relations in Central Asia.
2. Interdisciplinary doctoral training, combining sociology, law, political science, economics, and anthropology.
3. Policy outreach, turning research into actionable insights for practitioners.

Each PhD position includes:

• Joint supervision
• Local coursework + network-wide training events
• Teaching and workshop participation
• Two secondments (academic & non-academic)
• Fieldwork in Central Asia

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the 17 Fully-Funded PhD Positions SOCIAL MSCA DN 2026, candidates must meet MSCA mobility and academic requirements.

Applicants must meet the general MSCA DN eligibility rules:

• Hold a degree qualifying them to start PhD studies.
• Must not already hold a PhD.
• Must have less than 4 years of full-time research experience.
• Must comply with MSCA mobility rule: Cannot have lived or worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the past 3 years before recruitment.

Additional requirements:

• Strong academic background in social sciences or law.
• Excellent English language skills.
• High motivation for fieldwork and interdisciplinary research.
• Willingness to travel for training events and secondments.

What the Programme Offers

The 17 Fully-Funded PhD Positions SOCIAL MSCA DN 2026 provide competitive MSCA salaries, mobility allowances, and research support.

• MSCA-funded employment contract (36 months typical)
• Highly competitive salary, mobility allowance, and family allowance (if eligible)
• International joint supervision
• Fully funded fieldwork in Central Asia
• Inter-sectoral secondments across academic and policy institutions
• Training in:
  • Research methods
  • Ethics
  • Open Science
  • Academic writing & publication
  • Transferable & professional skills
• Career guidance and high-level networking opportunities

PhD Project Descriptions (DC1–DC17)

Below is a clean, structured overview.
(Each project keeps your original host, focus, and link.)

DC1 – Authoritarian Legal Harmonization

Host: Södertörn University (Sweden)
Focus: Legal harmonization in authoritarian regimes; diffusion of legal norms; role of SCO, EAEC, CIS.
Apply: https://www.sh.se/…

DC2 – Myths vs Realities in Legal Reforms

Host: University of Birmingham (UK)
Focus: Contradictions in legal reforms under authoritarian elites.
Apply: https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/…

DC3 – Corporate Transparency & Corruption

Host: University of Toronto (Canada)
Focus: Corporate transparency, disclosure norms, grand corruption.
Apply: https://www.crimsl.utoronto.ca/…

DC4 – Politics of Anti-Corruption

Host: Turiba University (Latvia)
Focus: Interpretation & manipulation of anti-corruption norms.
Apply: https://www.turiba.lv/…

DC5 – Corruption in Public Procurement

Host: Marmara University (Turkey)
Focus: Informal procurement practices and compliance culture.
Apply: https://econ-ikf.marmara.edu.tr/…

DC6 – Executive By-Laws & Authoritarian Governance

Host: Lund University (Sweden)
Focus: By-laws, decrees, executive power.
Apply: https://lu.varbi.com/…

DC7 – Traditional Courts & State Law

Host: ZMO Berlin (Germany)
Focus: Aksakal courts & legal pluralism.
Apply: https://www.zmo.de/…

DC8 – Political Connections & Economic Resources

Host: University of the West of England (UK)
Focus: Networks, corruption, and access to resources.
Apply: Doctoral Researcher link

DC9 – Administrative Law & Regime Legitimacy

Host: Malmö University (Sweden)
Focus: Administrative law as authoritarian legitimation.
Apply: https://web103.reachmee.com/…

DC10 – Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

Host: Estonian Business School (Estonia)
Focus: AML enforcement pathways in authoritarian states.
Apply: https://info.ebs.ee/hubfs/…

DC11 – Security Narratives & Legal Change

Host: University of Birmingham (UK)
Focus: Securitization as driver of legal reforms.
Apply: https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/…

DC12 – “Outside the Law” Legal Mobilization

Host: Lund University (Sweden)
Focus: Non-state justice, activism, digital advocacy.
Apply: https://lu.varbi.com/…

DC13 – Legal Pluralism & Anti-Corruption

Host: University of Groningen (Netherlands)
Focus: Competing legal orders & corruption control.
Apply: https://werkenbij.rug.nl/…

DC14 – Legal Nihilism & Distrust

Host: Charles University Prague (Czechia)
Focus: Causes of legal nihilism & public mistrust.
Apply: https://ims.fsv.cuni.cz/…

DC15 – Legal Education Reform

Host: Vilnius University (Lithuania)
Focus: Post-socialist legal education reforms.
Apply: https://www.tspmi.vu.lt/en/…

DC16 – Rural Governance in Central Asia

Host: University of Zurich (Switzerland)
Focus: Local democracy, governance, political culture.
Apply: https://jobs.uzh.ch/…

DC17 – Governance in Mongolia

Host: University of Zurich (Switzerland)
Focus: Democratic practices & institutional adaptation.
Apply: https://jobs.uzh.ch/…

Who Should Apply?

• Holders of a Master’s degree in:
  • Sociology
  • Political science
  • Law
  • Anthropology
  • Economics
  • Public policy
  • Development studies
  • Human rights
  • Or related fields
• Strong research & English skills
• Motivation for interdisciplinary work
• Willingness to travel for fieldwork and secondments

Application Requirements (General)

Applications for the 17 Fully-Funded PhD Positions SOCIAL MSCA DN 2026 must be submitted through each host institution’s official portal.

Prepare a single PDF containing:

• Cover letter
• Research proposal (2–3 pages)
• CV
• Degree certificates & transcripts
• Contact details for two referees
• Writing sample

Applicants must submit documents via the specific application link of each host institution.

Contact

Dr. Rustamjon Urinboyev
Coordinator, SOCIAL-DN
📩 [email protected]

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are these positions fully funded?

Yes. All positions are fully funded under the MSCA scheme with salaries, allowances, mobility funding, and training costs covered.

2. Can applicants choose any project?

Yes, candidates may apply to multiple DC positions, but must follow each host’s application process separately.

3. Can I apply without Central Asia research experience?

Yes—experience is helpful but not required. Strong motivation is essential.

4. Do these PhDs include fieldwork?

Yes, fieldwork and secondments are mandatory for all DCs.

5. Can I apply if I previously lived in the host country?

Only if you have not spent more than 12 months there in the past 3 years (MSCA mobility rule).

6. What is the duration of the PhD?

Typically 36 months MSCA contract + extension by host institution if needed.