The Center for the Study of Conflict and Social Cohesion, COES, has opened a call for applications for two postdoctoral positions in social sciences (anthropology, sociology, political science, economics, urban studies, psychology, or related disciplines) for a duration of 2 years, starting from July 2024. The application deadline is May 02, by 17:00 (Chilean time). 

COES develops collaborative research on topics related to social conflict and cohesion (social coexistence) in Chile, through a multidisciplinary team from the social sciences and humanities. COES focuses its academic and outreach activities on analyzing the multiple manifestations of social conflict in Chile, its causes, as well as its cultural and historical context. The Center is sponsored by the University of Chile and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and its associated institutions include Diego Portales University and Adolfo Ibáñez University.

COES research is organized into 4 lines:

• 1. Socioeconomic dimensions of conflict
• 2. Group and individual interactions
• 3. Political and social conflict
• 4. Geographies of conflict and cohesion

Additionally, COES identifies 4 cross-cutting agendas in the following areas:

• I. Gender
• 2. Elites
• 3. Migration

The proposed research project must be related to one or more of the Center’s research lines, and the selected candidate must actively participate in seminars and activities organized by COES’s interdisciplinary research groups. Additionally, the candidate is expected to support and participate in the Center’s outreach activities and, during their affiliation, to teach an annual undergraduate or graduate course at one of the schools associated with COES. The selected candidate should conduct independent research, and we also expect the position to lead to interdisciplinary co-authored publications in collaboration with COES researchers.

I. Required Skills

The position is open to Chilean and foreign candidates who have obtained their Ph.D. within the last 5 years (from 2019 onwards). Exceptions to the Ph.D. timeframe may be granted in cases of maternity, postnatal leave, or other documented reasons of significance. If the candidate has not yet obtained their degree, an expected graduation date should be indicated in the application, not exceeding July 2024 as the deadline.

COES aims to foster a diverse and inclusive research environment, so we welcome candidates of all nationalities and ethnicities. It is not a requirement to have research experience in Chile or South America, and we strongly encourage a comparative approach to research. However, proficiency in both spoken and written Spanish and English is required, and we expect the selected candidate to fully integrate into the Chilean context. Additional factors that will positively influence selection include: research experience in the field and the ability to develop an autonomous research agenda; the ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment; experience with dissemination and transfer activities.

II. Conditions

The position is equivalent to full-time employment for a maximum of two years starting from July 2024, with progress or results evaluation at the end of the first year. It will be formalized through a professional services agreement with fees. Renewal for the second year depends on successfully completing research activities, publication goals, and applying for external funding. The place of work will be agreed upon, at one of the universities that make up COES.

Monthly gross salary will be $2,000,000 Chilean pesos (approximately $2,200 USD per month). Additionally, the selected candidate may request a budget for operational expenses associated with the research (travel/per diem, minor equipment, books, transcriptions, etc.).

III. Application

Interested applicants must submit their application to comunicaciones@coes.cl by Monday, May 02, 2024, by 17:00 (Chilean time). The subject of the email should be «Postdoctoral Application COES 2024» followed by the applicant’s name. Applications must include the following documents in a single PDF file:

1. Letter of motivation (maximum one page)
2. Research proposal including research objectives, a methodological proposal, a gantt chart (or time organization proposal), and expected outcomes (maximum 2 pages).
3. Curriculum vitae
4. Doctoral degree certificate.
5. Attach a publication related to COES research area (consistent with the proposed project).

Additionally, each candidate must arrange for the direct submission of two letters of recommendation. Each recommender should send their letter to the email comunicaciones@coes.cl.

Interviews will be conducted between May and June with a list of pre-selected candidates. The selected candidate is expected to start their activities in July 2024.

Questions regarding the application can be sent to the Communications Team, comunicaciones@coes.cl, addressed to Francisco Cataldo, Communications Officer of the Center.