Postdoctoral Scholarship linked to Research Assistance – Thematic Project “The Quality of Brazilian Democracy: political representation, parties and the Integrity System”
Call for a postdoctoral researcher position in the area of Quality of Democracy
1. Summary:
The Center for Public Policy Research (NUPPS) headquartered at the Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of São Paulo and the Center for Public Opinion Studies (CESOP) at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) open this call for applications for 1 (one) postdoctoral scholarship (PD) to act in research on the Quality of Democracy in Brazil within the scope of the Thematic Project “The Quality of Brazilian Democracy: political representation, parties and the Integrity System” (Process FAPESP nº 18 / 02738-0), under the coordination of Professor Dr Rachel Meneguello. For more information about this project, just access https://bv.fapesp.br/pt/auxilios/101439/a- qualidade-da-democracia-no-brasil-representacao-politica-partidos-eo-sistema-de- integridade/ and https://www.cesop.unicamp.br/democracia/.
This PD scholarship is part of a project with content pre-approved by FAPESP, whose main objective is to analyse the quality and functioning of the Brazilian democratic system focusing on two of its main dimensions: the first concerns political representation, with an emphasis on electoral and interest organization institutions; and the second, which seeks to investigate the mechanisms of inspection and control of the abuse of power. The DP scholarship in question will be allocated to the second dimension of the project, which concerns the mechanisms of inspection and control of the abuse of power, which ensure the means of realizing citizens’ sovereignty beyond the principle of political representation, involving different mechanisms of checks and balances and, especially, institutions of the so-called Integrity System (Public Ministry, Judiciary and Judiciary Police), composing the framework of mechanisms of horizontal accountability, considered as a central requirement for assessing the quality of democracy.
The proposal must recognize the centrality of the accountability mechanisms, which, by definition, are part of the institutions of the Integrity System – which play a central role in controlling democratic governments, with enormous influence on the relationship between citizens and the state. More specifically (and given the recent events involving actors of the Integrity System concerning the assessment of the legality of Operation Car Wash in Brazil), it is expected that the proposal contemplates, without limitation, the empirical investigation of the positions of the agents of the Integrity System (Magistrates, Attorneys, Prosecutors, Delegates of the Judiciary Police, Counsellors of the National Council of Justice) about what they think, how they orient themselves and how they justify their institutional conduct, taking into account their relationship with the other two branches (Executive and Legislative), as well as with the press and the virtual means of communication with citizens, such as social networks. From a methodological point of view, it is emphasized that this dimension of the Thematic Project investigates the interaction between political culture and democratic institutions, so it is suggested that the proposal, on the one hand, investigates the existence of ideational paradigms about corruption and impunity based on the profiles, ideas, and perceptions of the agents of the Integrity System. On the other hand, these perceptions must be related to institutional decisions and procedures carried out by these agents.
The selected candidate is expected to participate in the research activities of the Thematic Project (whose headquarters are CESOP, at UNICAMP, and NUPPs/Institute of Advanced Studies, at USP Butantã), such as seminars and study groups (including presential activities). Specific tasks including preparing reports, building databases, participating in conferences and collective project activities, conducting short courses for project members, conducting facultative courses for graduate and undergraduate students, and preparing manuscripts for publication.
The Postdoctoral fellowship is provided by the São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (FAPESP) and aims to reinforce the staff of the research centres through the engagement of young doctor (s) in teaching, research activities, extension and, eventually, orientation. The scholarship lasts for 12 months, renewable along the Project duration. The current value is R$ 8,479.20 tax-free monthly, plus technical reserve resources of 15% of the annual scholarship amount. The use of the technical reserve is regulated by FAPESP (https://fapesp.br/rt).
The activities of the fellow will be governed by the USP Post-Doctoral Program, in accordance with Resolution CoPq 7406/2017.
2. Registration:
Registration is open from 13/04/2022 until 30/04/2022. Interested parties should send an e-mail entitled “Post-Doctoral Scholarship” to the electronic address nupps@usp.br, with a copy to zeverissimo@usp.br, with a dossier containing the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae for foreigners;
- Complete postgraduate school history (with stamp and signature or with an authenticity code);
- The transcript must contain the approval criteria (minimum grade) or a statement from the institution stating what the criteria
- Certificate of completion of the doctorate;
- Research Project, compatible with the research area of the Thematic Project, and following the rules of Fapesp projects http://fapesp.br/270#anexo1. The project, in a maximum of 20 pages, must contain (i) Cover pages containing the title of the proposed research project and abstract; (ii) statement of the problem; (iii) expected results; (iv) scientific and technological challenges and the means and methods to overcome them;
(v) project execution schedule; (vi) dissemination and evaluation of results; (vii) other support (if any); (viii) bibliography.
3. Selection process
The selection process will take place in two phases. The first will consist of the analysis of the documents delivered by the candidates. Those approved will be invited to the second phase of the process, which will consist of an interview, to be carried out by researchers from the Project via Skype, Google Meet, or similar tool. The respective links will be forwarded to those selected for the second phase by the Project team.
4. Additional important information
For more information on the requirements for the candidate and the commitments and activities required by FAPESP, see https://fapesp.br/bolsas/pd.
The supervisor of the scholarship holder will be Prof. Dr José Álvaro Moisés, principal researcher for the Project.
The final result of the selection will be published both on the CESOP www.cesop.unicamp.br/ and NUPPS’ websites www.nupps.usp.br.
Acceptance of the scholarship will still be pending the analysis of the Research Project and Activity Plan by FAPESP.
5. Selection Process Calendar
| Applications | From 13/04/2022 to 30/04/2022 |
| Result of the first phase | 03/05/2022 |
| Interviews | From 04/05/2022 to 06/05/2022 |
| Result | 09/05/2022 |
| Scholarship start date | 10/05/2022 |
