Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona, Spain, is inviting applications for two research positions within GUARDA – Global Autocratization Processes and Gender Rights: Indicators, Impacts, and Governance Monitoring. The project examines the relationship between autocratization and the erosion of gender-related rights worldwide, bringing together feminist theory, gender studies, and comparative politics.
The recruitment includes a one-year postdoctoral research position and a four-year predoctoral research position leading to doctoral research. Both opportunities offer candidates the chance to contribute to comparative research investigating political developments and their implications for women’s rights, sexual and reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ rights across countries and over time.
About the GUARDA Research Project
GUARDA investigates how changes in political regimes are associated with restrictions on gender+ rights around the world. The project combines interdisciplinary approaches to examine the links between political transformation, gender equality, and human rights.
A central component of the research involves developing a global comparative dataset on gender+ rights from 1991 onwards. This work includes conceptualising indicators, coordinating and validating AI-assisted data collection, and conducting comparative analyses to understand patterns and changes across different political contexts.
Through its research, GUARDA aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between autocratization, governance, and the protection of gender-related rights.
1. Postdoctoral Researcher – Gender+ Rights and Autocratization
Duration: One year
Application deadline: 9 November 2026
The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to developing a global comparative dataset on gender+ rights covering the period from 1991 onwards. The position focuses on indicator conceptualisation, coordination and validation of AI-assisted data collection, and comparative research examining gender-related rights across countries and over time.
The successful candidate will contribute to the project’s interdisciplinary research framework, supporting the development of indicators and datasets that can help investigate the relationship between political regime changes and the protection of gender+ rights.
Project information: https://lnkd.in/exfZpPec
Application link: https://lnkd.in/eU2cEpDA
2. Predoctoral Researcher – PhD Position (FPI)
Duration: Four years
Application deadline: 14 November 2026
The four-year predoctoral position offers an opportunity for a researcher to undertake doctoral research within the broader GUARDA project framework.
The successful candidate will develop doctoral research connected to the project’s central themes, contributing to investigations into autocratization, governance, and gender+ rights. The position provides an opportunity to engage with interdisciplinary research combining feminist perspectives, gender studies, and comparative political analysis.
Applicants interested in pursuing doctoral research on political change and gender-related rights are encouraged to review the official call for eligibility requirements and application instructions.
Call and application link: https://lnkd.in/edKZtKp7
Location and Research Environment
Both positions are based at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain. The university provides the institutional setting for the GUARDA project and its research into the relationships between political regimes, governance, and gender equality.
These opportunities may interest researchers working in political science, gender studies, feminist research, human rights, comparative politics, and related interdisciplinary fields.
Application Deadlines
- Postdoctoral Researcher: 9 November 2026
- Predoctoral Researcher (PhD/FPI): 14 November 2026
Interested candidates should consult the respective official calls for detailed information about eligibility, required documents, selection procedures, and submission requirements.
Explore These Research Opportunities
Researchers interested in the intersection of political change, feminist theory, and gender-related rights can explore these two opportunities at Universitat Pompeu Fabra. The positions offer different pathways to contribute to the GUARDA project’s comparative research agenda, whether through postdoctoral research or doctoral study.
