UNU-WIDER Closing date for applications

Visiting scholars

Applications closed on 30 September 2008. Thank you for your interest.

The UNU-WIDER Visiting Scholars Programme is intended to give qualified scholars an opportunity to undertake research on topics related to development and/or global economic issues, to participate in UNU-WIDER activities, and to contribute to UNU-WIDER publications. It is also designed to aid the dissemination of UNU-WIDER research and to contribute to the UNU-WIDER outreach programme.
For some places in the programme, preference will be given to females and to applicants from developing countries.

Successful applicants are expected to

1. have a PhD degree in economics or a related discipline.
2. have a good publication record.
3. pursue research on development or global economic issues.
4. spend between 2-6 months at UNU-WIDER.
5. interact with the academic staff at UNU-WIDER.
6. prepare one or more papers to be considered for publication in the WIDER Research Paper series.
7. present a seminar in their field of research.
8. acknowledge UNU-WIDER's support when appropriate.
   

Financial assistance

UNU-WIDER typically provides a monthly stipend of 2,000 euros as a contribution towards travel, accommodation, medical, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Developing country scholars may apply for a supplementary grant to cover high travel costs.

Application procedure 

There is no standard application form. Those interested in this programme should submit

1. a written letter of application which includes the preferred period for the sabbatical.
2. a research proposal, bearing in mind UNU-WIDER's current research focus, and
3. a detailed curriculum vitae, including contact details and a list of publications.
   

Applications should be received by the 30 September each year (applications will not be assessed until after the closing date) by regular mail at the following address:

Visiting Scholars Programme
UNU-WIDER
Katajanokanlaituri 6 B
FIN-00160 Helsinki
FINLAND

Inquiries only (not applications) may be made by e-mail to sabbatical programme, or the Programme Director Basudeb Guha-Khasnobis.

Please read the above guideline before making any inquires.

PhD internships

Applications closed on 30 September 2008. Thank you for your interest.

The UNU-WIDER PhD Research Internship Programme aims to provide PhD (doctoral degree) students registered at a university and similar research institutions the opportunity

1. to utilise the resources and facilities available at UNU-WIDER for their PhD thesis research
2. to produce papers suitable for publication in the Research Paper series and elsewhere
3. to work jointly with UNU-WIDER researchers in areas of mutual interest.
   

Selection criteria (essential) 

Applicants should
(a) be currently enrolled into a PhD programme.
(b) have shown ability to conduct research on developing or transition economies. Candidates working in other social sciences may apply but should keep in mind that UNU-WIDER is an economics-focused institute.
(c) be fluent in oral and written English.
(d) possess good quantitative and statistical analysis skills. 

Selection criteria (desirable)
Preference will be given to applicants
(a) who are living or working in developing or transition countries.
(b) whose research topics are linked to UNU-WIDER’s current programme.
(c) who are willing to work jointly with UNU-WIDER researchers for mutual benefit.
(d) who are at later stages of their PhD. 

Selection procedure
1. Applications will normally close on 30 September of each year.
2. Short-listed applicants will be asked to contact interested/relevant UNU-WIDER researchers to work out a revised research proposal and research timetable. Only those endorsed by UNU-WIDER researchers are to be considered for final selection.
3. Final selection is to be made by mid-November, taking into consideration issues of office space, gender balance, regional coverage, and relevance to current UNU-WIDER projects.
4. Short-listed applicants will be informed of the final decision by the end of November.
5. The selected applicants must confirm their decision to take up UNU-WIDER’s offer by 15 December.

The selected interns are expected to
(a) spend 2-6 months in Helsinki and return to their home institution afterwards.
(b) pursue research on a mutually agreed topic.
(c) contribute to UNU-WIDER’s research-related activities.
(d) give seminars on their research findings.
(e) complete one or more research report(s).
(f) acknowledge UNU-WIDER’s support in their theses, reports, or papers whenever appropriate.
(g) provide research assistance amounting to 30% of their time (about 1.5 days per week), if required. This is subject to prior discussion with the responsible UNU-WIDER researcher(s).

The selected interns will
(a) receive supervision in the field of their research.
(b) have access to the research and computing facilities of UNU-WIDER.
(c) be provided with office space (most likely shared).
(d) be provided a travel grant, travel and accident insurance, and a stipend to cover living expenses in Helsinki during the period of their internship. Health insurance should be arranged privately by the candidates. The programme does not cover expenses related to dependants.

PhD internship application form.doc (80.38 kilobytes)

1. full name, date of birth, sex, citizenship, office address, phone, fax, and e-mail details;
2. present PhD status (institution where candidate has registered for PhD, name of supervisor, date of registration as a PhD candidate, title of thesis, present stage, and expected date of submission);
3. education and work experience (university education, languages, principal publications, employment record, scholarships/fellowships received for overseas study);
4. work proposal for internship (research proposal including research outcomes, reasons for seeking to come to UNU-WIDER, potential contribution(s) to UNU-WIDER’s research activities, period of internship sought for, a research timetable, and relevance/links to UNU-WIDER’s ongoing projects).

Applications, to be accompanied by a letter of reference from the supervisor(s), should be received at UNU-WIDER by the 30 September each year (applications will not be assessed until after the closing date) by regular mail at the following address:

PhD Internship Programme
UNU-WIDER
Katajanokanlaituri 6 B
FIN-00160 Helsinki
Finland

Inquiries only (not applications) by e-mail may be made to intern programme or to the Programme Director Basudeb Guha-Khasnobis. UNU-WIDER will only clarify questions on the application procedure and application form.

We will NOT enter into exchanges regarding topics and how to prepare applications. Responses will be provided only to candidates who qualify for the programme.