The Department of Political and Social Sciences at the European University Institute is looking for candidates with a distinguished record of scholarly publications and experience in postgraduate teaching and doctoral supervision for the Stein Rokkan Chair in Comparative Politics. The chair is open to candidates at different career stages within the full professor rank. In line with the Rokkanian tradition, the Department especially welcomes applicants whose work engages with the formation, persistence, and transformation of political cleavages, state-building processes, and the historical roots of contemporary democracy.

Approaches that combine historical or comparative analysis with strong empirical methods are particularly encouraged.

The EUI at a glance:

We are an international organisation set up in 1972; a research university focusing exclusively on post-graduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral studies, and advanced research, located in the hills overlooking the city of Florence, Italy. The Institute also hosts the Historical Archives of the European Union.

More on our Institution: https://www.eui.eu/About The EUI is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to descriptive, intellectual, and institutional diversity. We find such diversity to be a source of enrichment and strongly encourage applications from the most diverse pool of candidates.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide major input in research, teaching, supervision and administration, as follows:

Research:

- To develop and lead research in the fields mentioned in the profile, also in collaboration between the EUI and the Norwegian research institutions;




- To promote the integration of their research with other research interests within the Department of Political and Social Sciences as well as research with the other Departments and Centres of the EUI; candidates are invited to take into consideration the EUI research priorities, as outlined in the EUI Strategy, and existing research projects of the Department of Political and Social Sciences;
- To maintain a high national and international profile of publications in books and in internationally recognised journals;
- To acquire research funding on an individual basis and in collaboration with others.

Teaching and supervision:

- To provide high-quality doctoral supervision, serving as a dedicated and inspiring mentor to PhD researchers throughout their studies;
- To attract and support outstanding research students, fostering an intellectually stimulating and inclusive research environment at the EUI;
- To teach postgraduate students effectively through both introductory and advanced research seminars, integrating supervision and teaching in support of the Institute’s academic mission;
- To mentor Max Weber Fellows and other postdoctoral researchers, contributing to their academic and professional development.

Administration:





- To make a significant contribution to the promotion of the EUI, and to contribute to the transition of EUI alumni into professional life, especially in academic careers;
- To make the best use of their research budget and try to supplement it with outside funding;
- To serve on appropriate institutional committees, and to contribute fully to the general life of SPS Department and the EUI;
- To contribute to an inclusive and diverse institutional culture at the Department and the EUI.

What we offer :

- A role in an inspiring community of young scholars with an exclusive focus on master's, doctoral and post-doctoral studies.
- A truly multicultural community of 1100 academics at all career stages and support staff of approximately 85 different nationalities.
- The commitment to a genuine culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, and the commitment to attracting, encouraging and retaining a diverse and highly qualified workforce.
- A world-class research library, the Historical Archives of the European Union, and many other excellent research facilities.
- Language courses and soft skills training opportunities.
- Access to all EUI facilities: library, PC rooms, crèche, cafeteria, gym, participation in seminars and workshops.
- Competitive salary package.
- A healthy work-life balance in a family-friendly environment.

To know more about the positions and the application process, please read the:

- Vacancy Notice V/PR/SPS/3/2026 (pdf)
- Further particulars (pdf)

Applications must be submitted electronically via the online application form. The deadline: 10 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST

📌 Stein Rokkan Chair in Comparative Politics (Firenze)
🏢 European University Institute
📍 Firenze