This PhD position examines the political economy of protectionism within the ERC-funded project PROTECT, focusing on how local socio-economic changes influence public attitudes toward trade protection. The doctoral researcher will design and analyze survey and panel datasets, integrate contextual regional data, and conduct theory-driven empirical research to explain variation in citizens’ support for protectionist policies. The project contributes to debates on globalization, economic policy, and democratic responses to structural change. The candidate will work in a collaborative quantitative research environment and receive advanced doctoral training combining coursework and dissertation research to develop into an independent scholar in International Relations.