PhD Student

PhD position for the project: "Greenland's Alliance Dilemma Amidst Great Power Struggles - A Comparison with Arctic and Non-Arctic States and Regions” (GRASP)

The project examines the interplay between Greenland's economic ambitions and security needs in light of the growing competition among the great powers in the Arctic. As Greenland navigates its relations with great powers such as the USA, Russia, and China, the project seeks to investigate the alliance dilemma that arises from differing economic and security interests. This interdisciplinary work will analyze the ambitions of Arctic and non-Arctic states in Greenland from an international relations and political economy perspective. Given the new challenges Greenland faces, this project is very timely - but we are also interested in historical perspectives that can show us the evolution from previous alliance dilemmas to today's current situation.

We are looking for a PhD student who can link their project to the overarching theme. It is not a requirement, but we prefer a PhD student whose research aligns with the project's main theme within international political economy, international relations, comparative politics, or historical development. We are also open to other perspectives within the social sciences or economics. The project will be theoretically, methodologically, and philosophically guided by the PhD student's own choice. This three-year scholarship is expected to begin in the spring of 2026 or at the latest in the fall of 2026. The candidate must reside in Nuuk, Greenland during the PhD project period. It is expected that one semester will be spent abroad.

Nasiffik - Center for Foreign and Security Policy is a small research center at the Institute for Society, Economy & Journalism at Ilisimatusarfik. However, the center is growing, and we are currently around six people. We work broadly with foreign and security policy, and the aforementioned project is part of this effort. The project group consists of both experienced and young researchers from Greenland, Denmark, and the Faroe Islands.

Work tasks:

• Individually writing a PhD thesis under the guidance and co-guidance of senior researchers within the project group.
• Participation in PhD courses worth 30 ECTS.
• Teaching and other forms of research communication.
• Participation in Nasiffik's activities and other research activities at Ilisimatusarfik.
• Research exchange at another research institute abroad.

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Has knowledge of Greenland and/or the Arctic.
• Has knowledge of foreign and security policy.
• Has good communication skills.
• Has good language skills. English must be mastered at a high academic level. We also prefer that the candidate has good skills in Danish or another Scandinavian language. Greenlandic would also be an advantage, but is not a requirement.
• Has qualifications to be admitted to the PhD school at Ilisimatusarfik (see https://da.uni.gl/media/bg2pm1ap/phd-retningslinjer-220120.pdf).

The application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• CV
• Diploma
• Research proposal (max. 5 pages, including project timeline)
• Budget
• List of publications or other relevant dissemination of research results

If you have questions about the project, you can contact:

• Nasiffik's leader Rasmus Leander Nielsen can be reached via email: raln@uni.gl or phone: +299 34 73 26 (office) or
• Prorector/institute leader Annemette Nyborg Lauritsen at email: anla@uni.gl or phone: +299-34 73 60 (office).

About employment:

This is a fixed-term employment period of 3 years for a PhD scholarship position.

Employment procedure

The institute director establishes an advisory hiring committee in collaboration with the department. The committee assists management in selecting candidates for interviews and in making recommendations regarding hiring.

About Ilisimatusarfik

Ilisimatusarfik, the University of Greenland, was established in 1987 and currently offers 13 different programs, including options for part-time studies at both diploma and master's levels. Ilisimatusarfik is an Arctic university that creates knowledge and innovation in a rapidly developing region. The board is the university's highest management body. Daily management is handled by the rector and the university director. The four institutes are led by an institute head, who is advised by an institute council.

Ilisimatusarfik consists of 4 institutes:

• Institute for Learning
• Institute of Society, Economics & Journalism
• Institute of Culture, Language & History
• Institute of Health & Nature

The Joint Administration serves the entire university. It is led by the university director. The Joint Administration has departments in Ilimmarfik and Ilinniarfissuaq. The departments work closely with the academic units, but also collaborate with each other. The tasks of the Joint Administration include: study administration, personnel administration, servicing the board and the Academic Council, as well as other service functions for the university's staff and students. The Joint Administration is also responsible for the building operations of Ilimmarfik.

Salary and employment conditions

Salary and employment conditions, including the right to travel for joining and leaving, as well as relocation of personal belongings, in accordance with the agreement/collective agreement in force at the time of commencement between the Government of Greenland and the relevant negotiating organization.

Housing

No staff housing is provided for the position. If an applicant already has staff housing through employment in the Self-Government, the right to the assigned staff housing is retained. The staff housing is linked to the employment relationship and must be vacated upon termination of the employment relationship.

Submit your application, CV, education and course certificates, as well as other relevant documents by clicking "Send application."

We do not accept applications via email.

APPLY FOR THIS POSITION