ESR2: Fuzziness and softness in spatial patterns of regional policies (Bratislava, Slovakia)

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Host: Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava/Slovakia

1 PhD position, full-time

Duration: September 2014 – August 2017

The ongoing integration processes in the EU, and in CEE in particular, have led to a “fuzzification” and a softening of existing territorial and functional borders when it comes to the formation of new regional policies (e.g. for metropolitan areas). The project aims at understanding the challenges resulting from this development in terms of new interpretations of peripherality, the creation of new spatial patterns (e.g. through clusters) and the adaptation of new institutional systems.

The interdisciplinary study studies regional examples in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Germany with support by MEPCO and the Leibniz-Institute for Regional Geography and is based on a variety of methodologies. The deductive analysis will be combined with case studies incorporating qualitative and quantitative descriptive and analytical methods as well as experimental methods.

The fellow will be integrated in the Curriculum of Spatial Planning at the STU.

Secondments are foreseen at the Leibniz-Institute for Regional Geography in Leipzig/Germany and at MEPCO – International Advisory Centre of Municipalities in Prague/Czech Republic.

Tasks:

–          Development of theoretical and conceptual framework

–          Deductive and heuristic analyses and design of case study approach, data collection

–          Comparative (meta) analyses of case studies

–          Knowledge synthesis, development of conceptual models, discussion and policy relevance

Requirements:

–          Masters’ degree in social sciences, geography or another discipline corresponding to the topic of the                        project

–          good knowledge of quantitative and qualitative descriptive and analytical methods

–          fluent in English, preferably good knowledge of Slovakian

–          Czech and German language skills will be an asset

–          good knowledge of IT-based communication tools

–          readiness to participate in secondments, conferences and workshops

–          excellent communication skills, capacity for teamwork, flexibility and an interest in interdisciplinary                           research

–          to fill up the preconditions for entering PhD. studies in the Curriculum of Spatial Planning at the STU studies             in accordance the Law Nr. 131/2002 and others related regulations.

The fellow should contribute to the outreach of the project, especially by:

–          elaboration of a PhD thesis

–          participation in project and WP monographs, joint publications in high ranked journals

–          active participation at scientific conferences, policy workshops etc. at national and EU level

–          participation in media communication, in development of a web-based glossary, in creation of video clips                and podcasts and in spreading project information on EU level using European Commissions’                                       communication tools

APPLY NOW: http://regpol2.eu/application-form/