PhD Position SOCIAL Project 2026 –Incredible Fully Funded PhD Opportunity

PhD Position SOCIAL Project 2026 is an excellent fully funded doctoral opportunity for early-stage researchers interested in authoritarian law, political sociology, and Central Asian governance. The position is hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University in Prague and funded under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network “SOCIAL – Sociology of Authoritarian Law: Insights from Central Asia.”

Key Dates & Details

1. Overview

The PhD Position SOCIAL Project 2026 focuses on understanding legal nihilism, social distrust, and the political dynamics of authoritarian societies in Central Asia. The selected candidate will join a highly collaborative research team, work within the SOCIAL Doctoral Network, and contribute to cutting-edge socio-legal research.

2. Project Description

The doctoral project investigates legal nihilism and societal distrust toward law in post-socialist authoritarian countries. Research themes include:

• Public perceptions of law
• Informal legal practices
• Distrust in institutions
• Governance and compliance
• Informal authority and political culture

The candidate will conduct comparative research in Central Asia and participate in secondments (one academic, one non-academic).

3. Research Duties

• Conduct survey experiments, elite interviews, focus groups, or mixed-method studies
• Develop and complete a PhD dissertation aligned with SOCIAL network objectives
• Participate in fieldwork across Central Asian countries
• Deliver seminars or teaching activities at Charles University
• Attend SOCIAL DN workshops, conferences, and training events

4. Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the PhD Position SOCIAL Project 2026, applicants must:

• Hold a Master’s degree by 1 September 2026
• Have no previous PhD degree
• Have less than 4 years of research experience
• Not have lived, worked, or studied in Czechia for more than 12 months in the last 3 years (MSCA mobility rule)
• Meet Charles University doctoral admission requirements

5. Skills & Qualifications

• Strong academic background in sociology, political science, law, history, or international relations
• Excellent English (spoken and written)
• Knowledge of Russian and/or a Central Asian language (advantage)
• Experience with qualitative or quantitative research
• Ability to work independently and conduct fieldwork in challenging environments

6. MSCA Mobility Conditions (Mandatory)

Applicants must NOT have resided in Czechia for more than 12 months in the last 36 months.

7. Benefits & Salary

The PhD Position SOCIAL Project 2026 Prague offers:

• Monthly salary: 68,000 CZK (before tax)
• Possible 1-year extension stipend (approx. €1000/month)
• Travel funds for conferences
• Bonuses for publications
• Flexible working hours
• Employee benefits (meal vouchers, transport pass, pensions, Multisport card, etc.)

8. Application Requirements

Applications must include:

• Dissertation proposal (max 10 pages / 18,000 characters)
• Structured CV
• Proof of English proficiency
• Any relevant supporting documents

9. Selection Process

The selection has two rounds:

Round 1

• Evaluation of dissertation proposal quality

Round 2

• Interview in English
• Assessment of research clarity, topic justification, and methodological expertise

Only applicants scoring 16/20 or higher in Round 1 are invited to interviews.

10. How to Apply

Submit your application by 31 January 2026 via email:

📩 [email protected]
Subject line: “IIS – PhD student position”

Official host website:
https://fsv.cuni.cz

For more opportunities, explore our guide to
Fully Funded Scholarships 2026

11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the position fully funded?

Yes, through Horizon Europe MSCA DN.

Is a Master’s degree required?

Yes, completed before 1 September 2026.

Is fieldwork required?

Yes, including work in authoritarian settings.

Do I need a Central Asian language?

Not mandatory, but highly recommended.