Position for postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Educational Sciences, Vilnius University, Lithuania

Outline

Neoliberal politics in Lithuania and its implications for the university’s role in supporting democracy

About the project

A two-year postdoctoral fellowship project will explore the impact of neoliberal policies in Lithuania on the university's role in fostering democracy. The research will be carried out under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Rimantas Želvys (https://www.fsf.vu.lt/en/research-institute-of-educational-sciences/edu…) and in close collaboration with other members of his group.

The project aims to rethink the university as a space of broader transformations and an active agent of democratic processes. The theme's relevance stems from the need to understand how neoliberal policies and their reforms affect universities, the perception of their role in society, and the capacity of universities to foster and strengthen democracy. Various scholars' work on the international scale captures the alarming democratic decline that is taking place in the current global context - including in the old democracies of the West - and highlights the essential role of the university in preserving and expanding democracy, as well as the obstacles to the spread of this role. The link between the university and democratic processes is, therefore, relevant in today's context. An interdisciplinary approach is needed to understand more fully and deeply the complex and dynamic relationship between the university and democracy. Therefore, the research on this theme seeks to find a synthesis between these different disciplines, thus exploiting their potential more fully and, at the same time, promoting interdisciplinary research.

Applicants may submit comparative research projects that would focus on Lithuanian context.

The project will be conducted at the Institute of Educational Sciences. Enquiries regarding this position should be addressed to Prof. Dr. Rimantas Želvys by email rimantas.zelvys@fsf.vu.lt  or to Ramunė Kasperavičiūtė-Černiauskienė by email ramune.kasperaviciute-cerniauskiene@fsf.vu.lt.

What is funded

Budget: Staff cost: full-time work position – 3177.19 Eur/per month (all taxes included); 24 months x 3177.19 Eur., at all 76252.56 Eur. Cost amount for project activities implementation (for e.g. internships, attendance in international conferences, services for research implementation, services for achieving scientific results, products, etc.) – up to 14 000 Eur.

Duration

A two-year postdoctoral fellowship.

Eligibility

Requirements:

• PhD in Social Sciences, preferably in the field of Educational Sciences;
• Experience in doing research in higher education and interdisciplinary research (advantage);
• English language skills (C1 level and above).

Please submit your completed Application form with Application attachments via email to ramune.kasperaviciute-cerniauskiene@fsf.vu.lt.