Description
Queen’s University, ranked 1st in Canada for advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, invites applications for a fully funded PhD position within the groundbreaking RESPONDER Partnership. This prestigious opportunity forms part of a seven-year, multi-country research initiative funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), aimed at generating transformative evidence to address major humanitarian challenges. The project is led by Dr. Susan Bartels, Canada Research Chair in Humanitarian Health Equity and an internationally recognized expert in global health and crisis-affected populations. The RESPONDER Partnership focuses on tackling critical evidence and policy gaps related to Responder-Perpetrated Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (RP-SEA) in humanitarian settings - an urgent yet underexamined issue that has profound implications for survivor well-being, community trust, humanitarian accountability, and international policy frameworks. Research will engage with diverse crisis-affected contexts, including Haiti, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lebanon, Kosovo, and the Central African Republic, offering candidates a rare opportunity to contribute to high-impact, ethically-grounded research across multiple global regions. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research environment, collaborate with international partners, engage in advanced qualitative and mixed-methods inquiry, and contribute to evidence-informed solutions designed to strengthen policy responses and promote survivor-centered approaches in humanitarian crises.
Responsibilities
Research Focus & Responsibilities
The successful candidate will become an integral member of a highly interdisciplinary research team, contributing to a rigorous program of inquiry aimed at strengthening accountability mechanisms and advancing survivor-centered approaches within humanitarian response systems. The project employs mixed-methods research, including respondent-driven sampling, participatory qualitative methodologies, and other innovative tools designed to capture nuanced experiences in crisis-affected settings. The researcher will be responsible for engaging with diverse communities, analyzing multi-layered data, and helping generate actionable insights that inform global policy and practice.
Expanded Research Areas:
- Survivor- and Community-Centered Approaches to Justice and Accountability: Investigate how communities and survivors conceptualize justice, explore barriers to reporting, and assess the effectiveness of existing accountability pathways in humanitarian environments.
- Intersectional Analysis of Gender, Disability, and Power in Humanitarian Systems: Examine how intersecting identities and structural power dynamics influence vulnerability, decision-making, and access to protection mechanisms for individuals affected by RP-SEA.
- Estimating the Scale and Patterns of RP-SEA: Utilize advanced sampling techniques and innovative data-collection tools to improve understanding of the prevalence, distribution, and contextual factors shaping RP-SEA across multiple crisis settings.
- Participatory and Sensemaking Methodologies in Fragile Contexts: Apply participatory research strategies that elevate local voices, support collective interpretation of findings, and ensure that research processes remain ethically grounded, inclusive, and contextually relevant.
- Knowledge Mobilization and Policy Contribution: Translate research insights into recommendations designed to inform humanitarian guidelines, organizational protocols, and survivor-focused intervention strategies.
Training & Mentorship
The selected candidate will be immersed in a rich and structured training environment designed to develop both academic and professional competencies. The RESPONDER Partnership provides extensive mentorship opportunities, interdisciplinary guidance, and hands-on research experience across multiple global contexts. This support framework is intended to prepare the PhD researcher for leadership roles in academia, humanitarian policy, and applied research.
Expanded Training & Mentorship Components:
- Multidisciplinary Supervision: Work under the joint mentorship of leading academics and experienced civil-society practitioners, ensuring exposure to both theoretical perspectives and real-world humanitarian challenges.
- Experiential Learning Opportunities: Engage directly with partner organizations involved in humanitarian response, participating in fieldwork, data collection, community engagement activities, and evidence-to-policy initiatives.
- Global Collaboration and Networking: Interact with a diverse network of peers, faculty members, and practitioners across 10 academic institutions and 8 civil-society organizations, fostering international perspectives and long-term professional connections.
- Professional Development Pathways: Receive structured training through workshops and seminars focused on: (a) research ethics and safeguarding in crisis environments, (b) mixed-methods research design and advanced data analysis, (c) academic writing, scientific communication, and publication strategies, (d) policy translation and engagement with humanitarian stakeholders
- Enhanced Research Capacity: Benefit from interdisciplinary labs, research seminars, peer-learning groups, and mentorship programs that support scholarly growth and the development of a robust academic portfolio.
Qualification
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates should have those qualifications:
- Educational Qualifications: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as Epidemiology, Global Health, Public Health, Gender Studies, Political Science, Humanitarian Studies, or a closely aligned social science or health-related field. The degree should equip the candidate with strong methodological foundations and the academic readiness needed for advanced doctoral-level research in complex humanitarian settings.
- Relevant Experience & Research Interests: Candidates should demonstrate a clear and meaningful interest in areas related to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), humanitarian response, human rights, social justice, or related global health and development issues. This may be evidenced through previous research projects, academic coursework, internships, professional experience, volunteer engagement, or advocacy work aligned with vulnerable populations and crisis contexts.
- Research Skills & Methodological Capacity: Applicants must possess strong research skills, qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, and be willing to engage in advanced methodological training. Familiarity with participatory, community-based, or survivor-centered approaches is highly desirable. Candidates should also be open to working with complex datasets, conducting fieldwork, adapting to challenging research environments, and employing innovative methodologies relevant to fragile and conflict-affected settings.
- Communication & Language Competencies: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English are required, including the ability to craft clear academic writing, articulate research findings, and engage effectively with interdisciplinary teams and stakeholders. Proficiency in French or additional languages commonly spoken in regions such as Haiti, South Sudan, DRC, Lebanon, Kosovo, or the Central African Republic is considered a significant asset that can strengthen fieldwork capacity and cross-cultural communication.
- Ethical Commitment & Core Values: Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical, survivor-centred, and equity-focused research practices. This includes a deep respect for confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, power dynamics, and the rights and dignity of affected populations. Candidates should show a readiness to engage in trauma-informed approaches, uphold rigorous ethical standards, and contribute positively to research environments where safety, inclusivity, and accountability are paramount.
Funding and Location
- Location - Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario: The position is hosted at Queen’s University, a leading Canadian institution recognized for its strong commitment to global development, humanitarian research, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The selected candidate will be based in Kingston, Ontario, a vibrant academic city that offers access to world-class research resources, supportive scholarly communities, and a high quality of life. The university provides a conducive environment for PhD training, mentorship, and engagement with cutting-edge research on humanitarian health equity.
- Financial Support - Competitive Four-Year Funding Package: The successful applicant will receive a minimum guaranteed stipend of CAD $30,000 per year for four years, ensuring consistent financial support throughout the duration of the doctoral program. This funding package is designed to allow students to focus fully on research, academic training, and professional development without undue financial pressure. Additional support may also be available through teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or merit-based awards.
- International Travel & Research Mobility Funding: The RESPONDER Partnership includes integrated opportunities for international engagement. Candidates will have access to additional travel funding to participate in: (a) Global partnership meetings with academic and humanitarian collaborators, (b) International learning institutes focused on ethics, evidence generation, and humanitarian policy, (c) Regional or global conferences, workshops, and symposia relevant to humanitarian health equity, gender-based violence, or mixed-methods research
This mobility support is intended to strengthen global networking, field expertise, and exposure to diverse research settings across multiple countries.
Application Process
The application procedure for this fully funded PhD position follows a structured two-step pathway designed to ensure alignment between the applicant’s research interests and the objectives of the RESPONDER Partnership. All candidates are required to complete Step 1 (Pre-Application) before being invited to proceed with the university’s formal application.
Step 1: Pre-Application Submission to Dr. Susan Bartels.
Interested applicants must first prepare and submit a complete pre-application package directly to Dr. Susan Bartels. This step allows the research team to assess academic preparedness, research alignment, and potential fit within the interdisciplinary project. Applicants must include the following documents:
- Cover Letter: A detailed statement outlining the applicant’s research interests, their motivation for joining the RESPONDER Partnership, and a clear explanation of how their background aligns with the project’s thematic focus on humanitarian health equity and RP-SEA.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A current and comprehensive CV highlighting academic history, research experience, methodological expertise, publications, presentations, and relevant professional or humanitarian engagements.
- Academic Transcripts: Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial versions accepted at this stage) to demonstrate academic performance and eligibility for doctoral studies.
- Writing Sample: A substantive piece of academic writing, such as a thesis chapter, published article, or research paper, that reflects the applicant’s analytical skills and research competence.
- Referee Information: Names and contact details of two referees who can speak to the applicant’s academic potential, research capacity, and suitability for graduate study in this field.
Email Submission: Send all documents in a single consolidated email to susan.bartels@queensu.ca
Step 2: Formal Application to Queen’s University.
Applicants who are shortlisted following Step 1 will receive detailed instructions on completing the official application to the Queen’s University School of Public Health Sciences. This stage involves uploading required documents to the university portal, selecting supervisors, and meeting institutional admission requirements. Only candidates who pass Step 1 will be invited to proceed.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Statement: Queen’s University maintains a strong commitment to employment equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence. Applications are warmly encouraged from women, racialized individuals, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities, as well as others who may contribute to a diverse academic environment.
For more information about the requirements and application process here.
