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Call for applications for LIVES Doctoral programme

 

 

This call is currently closed.

 

Join the new cohort of LIVES PhD candidates!

Since 2012, the Swiss Centre of Expertise on Life Course Research LIVES offers a doctoral programme, followed by 120 PhD graduates so far. 

The Centre LIVES is now welcoming applications for its 2024-26 doctoral programme (December 2024 - February 2027. See application form at the bottom of the page). This call is intended for early-stage doctoral students in the social sciences, psychology, health sciences or related disciplines whose thesis includes a life course / lifespan perspective.

Their work can focus on

  • the effects of early events or the later life course
  • biographies and trajectories in different life domains
  • events which constitutes a turning point in life course
  • processes of accumulation / depletion over the life course
  • longitudinal methods
  • the evolution of norms regarding age
  • life course in social policies
  • etc.

The programme is open to PhD students internationally.

The LIVES doctoral programme aims to promote high-quality doctoral research in life course analysis. It provides PhD students with a thorough and up-to-date theoretical and methodological grounding in this interdisciplinary field of study. The participation in the doctoral programme allows PhD students to develop a network of peers with similar research interests.

The LIVES doctoral programme is organized over two years, takes place at the Universities of Geneva and Lausanne, and includes 7 sessions (see the full programme and workshops):

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The deadline for applications is 30 September, 2024.

Admissions will be confirmed no later than mid-October, 2024.

The new cohort of the LIVES doctoral programme will begin in December 2024.

Find here additional information on the programme 2024-26 (workshops and events) or contact the programme officer: doctoral-centre-lives@unige.ch.

Committing to this programme means:

  • Attending at least 5 out of 7 workshops.
  • Session 1 (December 2024) as well as all three LIVES Doctoriales are compulsory.
  • Taking part in the selected workshops and Doctoriales in person (in principle).
  • If you need a number of ECT credits, please contact us: pragmatic solutions are possible.

What the LIVES Doctoral Programme supports:

  • For Swiss-based PhD candidates, travel is reimbursed on the basis of a half-fare 2nd class ticket.
  • For other PhD candidates, LIVES offers financial assistance (travel) of up to 200.-CHF per session (up to 5 sessions). For expenses on accommodation, LIVES subsidies are available for a few students. Please contact us for details.
  • During workshops, coffee breaks are covered.
  • During the LIVES Doctoriales, lunch and coffee breaks are covered.

Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:

  • The PhD thesis should include a life course / life span perspective, with a disciplinary background in sociology, demography, psychology, epidemiology, economics, political science, history or gender studies.
  • The PhD candidate must already be affiliated to an academic institution.
  • The PhD thesis must be funded for the length of the PhD programme by an academic institution or by third-party funding.
  • The PhD candidate must be able to speak and write fluently in English (at least B2 level).

Candidates are asked to provide the following documents, along with the application form:

  • A cover letter expressing their motivation for this PhD training programme
  • A curriculum vitae
  • A title and abstract of 500 words maximum of their PhD project
  • A one-page letter of support from the PhD supervisor(s)
  • An official document certifying the affiliation to an academic institution.

An agreement will be signed between the PhD candidate, his or her supervisor(s) and the doctoral programme.