One position for the ESR 9-project:
The impact of innovative solutions on regional discourses and the perception of rural development
Beginning in March/April 2019 until September 2020

Project
RurAction is an integrated research and doctorate programme funded by the European Union in the Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie ITN Action. RurAction recognizes a lack of knowledge and cross-sectoral trainings at the intersection of rural development, social innovation and social entrepreneurship research. It addresses this gap by systematically integrating these three fields of research. RurAction offers a unique opportunity to 10 Early-Stage Researchers to investigate highly relevant topics about social innovations and social entrepreneurship in rural regions. The 10 Early-Stage Researchers will benefit from transnational high quality trainings, bringing together both academic education and practical skills trainings provided by social enterprises with great expertise in innovative rural development. The enrolment as PhD students in the contributing universities enables the ESRs to contribute to their institutionalized PhD courses, complementary to the RurAction trainings.

Aims: Contrary to the ESR 3-project, ESR 9 does not look back to discourses prior to, but parallel to the implementation and the spread of the innovative approaches. It will be examined in how far the implementation of innovative approaches triggers media responses, how they are portrayed in the reports, and how approaches of problem solving are discursively further processed in the respective regions. Furthermore, it will be investigated in how far residents are aware of such innovative approaches to solutions and how they perceive potentials for the development of their region. A qualitative discourse analysis (regional newspaper articles) and qualitative interviews with selected regional residents and decision makers will be conducted for the Mid-West (IE), the Uckermark (DE) and the Mühlviertel (AT). ESR 3 and ESR 9 will work as a tandem, i.e. they exchange empirical findings and jointly discuss results.

Relevant subjects to be covered in the cumulative dissertation employing qualitative and/or quantitative methods of empirical social science include but are not strictly limited to the following:
- Impact of regionally implemented innovation and entrepreneurship practices on regional discourses
- Emergence of organizational fields linked to the regionally implemented innovation and entrepreneurship practices
- The interplay between (changes in) institutional logics regionally implemented innovation and entrepreneurship practices
- Multilevel analysis of the interdependence between resources for and legitimacy of regionally implemented innovation and entrepreneurship practices
- Scaling regionally implemented niche innovations to regime-level changes
- Analysis of place-based institutions relevant for regionally implemented innovation and entrepreneurship practices
- Comparative analysis of regionally implemented innovation practices between international contexts (Austrian, Greece, Irish and Polish case regions) and between corporate and social entrepreneurship

Supervisor: The scientific supervisor will be selected according to the discipline of the candidate. The practical supervisor is Martin Hollinetz and practical co-supervisor is Wolfgang Mader (Otelo eGen).

Institutional affiliation: The holder of the post will be enrolled as a PhD student at the University of his/her scientific supervisor. Secondments will take place at Ballyhoura Development Lt (1-3 months, Ireland) and Social Impact (1-3 months, Germany).
Researcher career profile
Required:
- At the core of the MSCA-ITNs is researcher mobility. The recruited Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity in the country he/she will be employed for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date.
- Candidates must be in the early stage of their research career (first four years, full time equivalent) and not in possession of a doctoral degree.
- Strong interest in social innovation, social entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary collaboration. There will be a lot of possibilities to get good insights in Otelo eGen and in the practical work of an interesting and innovative social business.
- Strong motivation to work in a cooperative and flexible team environment.
- Be prepared to travel and fulfill secondements in two countries (Germany and Ireland).
- The fellow should contribute to the outreach of the project, especially by: 1. participation in publications in high ranked journals, elaboration of the planned practice handbook and policy briefs, 2. active participation at scientific conferences, policy Workshops etc. at national and EU level and the preparation of the planned exhibition, 3. participation in media communication, creation of a photo and video diary as a form of research auto-reflexivity and a documentary film and in spreading project information on EU level using European Commissions' communication tools
- Master degree, preferably in social sciences
- Excellent social skills and communication skills and intercultural sensitivity
- Fluency in English language (written and oral)
- Good working knowledge in German language
Desirable:
- Theoretical background in social sciences with a focus on entrepreneurship, innovation and regional development
- Ability to work in a research team and experience in field work
- Experiences in discourse analysis and qualitative interviews
The position offers:
- Excellent institutional environment, a stimulating high profile research program with international focus.
- Opportunity to carve out and populate your own niche in the scientific discourse
- Strong potential for further developing a strong publication record
- International experience in diverse academic institutions
- Mentoring by leading experts in the field
- Measures for career development opportunities (training program, secondments).
- Salary corresponding to MSCA-ITN 2016 European Training Network (including living, mobility and family allowances).
- full-time contract until the end of September 2020
Applicants are requested to send their application in English with the reference number RurAction ESR 9 until January 24th 2019 as a PDF file (max. 4MB) to bewerbungen@irs-net.de. The application shall comprise a letter of motivation (at least one page), a curriculum vitae, copies of diplomas and language skills, a transcript of records (if applicable), two nominated referees that can be contacted and a chapter of the Master Thesis or a paper or a publication in English (if applicable).

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for the final interview in February 2019 in Upper-Austria. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Otelo eGen is explicitly committed to the principle of equal opportunities. Women are especially encouraged to apply. People with disabilities people will be preferentially considered in case of equivalent qualifications.

For further information please contact the RurAction Project Manager Marie-Julie Jacquemot (Phone: +49 3362 793-269 E-Mail: Marie-Julie.Jacquemot@leibniz-irs.de).
For specific questions concerning the content of the research please contact Gabriela Christmann (Gabriela.Christmann@leibniz-irs.de) and Martin Hollinetz (martin.hollinetz@oteloegen.at).