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Funded internship opportunity for doctoral students

If you are enrolled in a PhD in development studies, here’s your chance to do research at the United Nations University in Helsinki, Finland

BY Braingain Staff Writer | 24-03-2017

Photo by Sara F. Rodriguez for CIDSE (used under CC license)

The United Nations University (UNU-WIDER) PhD Internship Program invites doctoral students around the world to apply for a fully funded opportunity to use the resources and facilities at UNU-WIDER in Helsinki, Finland, for their PhD dissertation or thesis research, and to work with UNU-WIDER researchers in areas of mutual interest. The deadline for applications is March 31.

PhD interns typically spend 3 consecutive months at UNU-WIDER and are expected to return to their home institution afterwards. During their time in Helsinki, PhD interns prepare one or more research papers and present a seminar on their research findings. They may also have the opportunity to publish their research in the WIDER Working Paper Series.

Selection criteria
Applicants should be enrolled in a PhD program, and should have demonstrated the ability to conduct research on developing economies. Candidates working in other social sciences may apply, but should keep in mind that UNU-WIDER is an economics-focused institute. Candidates should be fluent in oral and written English, and should have good quantitative and/or qualitative analytical skills. Preference is given to applicants who are living or working in developing countries, and who are at later stages of the PhD.

Financial assistance
UNU-WIDER provides a travel grant to cover the costs of travel to and from the location of your PhD-granting institution, medical insurance (for the duration of your stay at UNU-WIDER), and a monthly stipend of €1,600 to cover living expenses during the internship period. The program does not cover expenses related to dependents.

Application procedure
UNU-WIDER only receives online applications for the PhD Internship Program twice each year. Deadlines for submission of applications are 31 March and 30 September. If applying in September, you would be visiting UNU-WIDER from February to June of the following year, and when applying in March, you would be visiting UNU-WIDER from August to November of the same year.

Please note that the link to the online application form becomes active only one month prior to the submission deadline.

Selected applicants will be informed by email within four weeks of the deadline, and get two weeks to confirm their participation.
As part of your application, you will be asked to upload your curriculum vitae. Your PhD supervisor will need to send a letter of reference to this address. Applications cannot be sent by email or post.