PhD Student in Media and Communication Studies

The Department of Communication Quality Management and Information Systems conducts education and research at Mid Sweden Universitys campuses in Sundsvall and Östersund. Media and Communication Studies is located at the Sundsvall campus and is affiliated with the research centre DEMICOM.

DEMICOM conducts research on democracy and communication in the digital society. Research areas include strategic communication political communication journalism organisational communication crisis communication and communication for sustainable development. The research environment is characterised by strong societal relevance interdisciplinary collaboration and close engagement with contemporary societal challenges.

Job description
The doctoral position is primarily research-focused and comprises approximately 80 per cent research and 20 per cent teaching and/or administrative duties. As a doctoral student you will pursue doctoral studies in Media and Communication Studies while actively contributing to the research environment at DEMICOM through publications conference participation and collaborative research activities.

The position is linked to a research project examining strategic advocacy and lobbying in relation to environmental climate and sustainability issues. The project focuses on policy areas characterised by multiple stakeholders competing interests and conflicting visions of societal development. It aims to generate new knowledge about how organisations businesses public authorities civil society actors and interest groups seek to influence norms public opinion policymaking and sustainability transitions.

The research project investigates topics such as:

• Strategic advocacy and lobbying in environmental climate and sustainability issues.
• How organisations and interest groups use narratives claims and discursive strategies to shape public debate and political agendas.
• How different actors engage in positioning negotiation coalition-building and influence processes related to sustainability transitions.
• The role of communication in policymaking governance and societal change.

As a doctoral student you will develop and conduct your own dissertation project within this broader research area. The project will be designed in dialogue with supervisors and the research group but should clearly connect to questions of strategic communication advocacy sustainability and societal transformation. Potential empirical contexts include forestry food systems industrial development energy transitions green industrial investments or other sustainability-related policy areas.

You will work closely with researchers within DEMICOM and have opportunities to contribute to joint publications data collection activities conference presentations and research applications.

Entry requirements
General entry requirements include a second-cycle level qualification or fulfilment of courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits must be at second cycle level or the equivalent knowledge gained in some other way in Sweden or abroad. Specific entry requirements include at least 90 credits in the subject of Media and Communication Studies or the equivalent knowledge gained in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Assessment criteria
Assessment and selection among applicants will be based on scientific skills and personal qualities:

Scientific skills

• Demonstrated aptitude for research.
• The quality of previous academic work including Bachelors and Masters theses and other scholarly outputs.
• The quality and relevance of a project proposal submitted as part of the application.
• The applicants ability to successfully complete doctoral studies.

Personal Qualities
We are seeking a candidate who:

• Has a strong interest in research and analytical inquiry.
• Is intellectually curious about societal issues communication organisations sustainability and public affairs.
• Can work independently and take responsibility for driving a long-term research project.
• Has strong collaboration and communication skills and enjoys working in research teams and interdisciplinary environments.
• Is motivated to contribute to an active and supportive research environment.
• Has the ability to communicate research results to different stakeholders and target groups.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

Other assessment criteria
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required.

Employment process
Processing of the appointment will comply with the provisions in Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance and will be carried out in accordance with Mid Sweden Universitys Employment Procedures.

Terms of employment
The doctoral studentship position corresponds to four years of full-time studies and is expected to lead to a Degree of Doctor. The entry date isor as agreed. Initial doctoral student positions are valid for a maximum of one year after which the position may be renewed by no longer than two years at a time. Provisions regarding doctoral studentship employment can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) Chapter 5 Sections 1-7.

Place of employment: Sundsvall

Salary: In accordance with Mid Sweden Universitys salary scale for doctoral students.

Information
For more detailed information contact the Head of research department professor Jonas Harvard 010-or Head of department Lottie Jangdal 010-1428481.

Application
The application must include a certified CV a description of the applicant degree certificates thesis/theses a brief description (maximum 5 pages) of the proposed dissertation topic and other relevant publications. Incomplete applications will not be considered and decisions regarding doctoral employment cannot be appealed.

Please send in your application through our recruitment system no later than.

Mid Sweden University with campuses in both Sundsvall and Östersund is a university where students colleagues and the surrounding community are always close at hand. At the same time we are located near the sea forests and mountains creating excellent conditions for a high quality of life. Here new knowledge is generated through internationally successful research and education that contribute to societal this way we help create a sustainable future and a better world.

As an employee at Mid Sweden University you should be able to combine work and leisure and maintain a healthy work-life balance. We offer among other things flexible working hours support for wellness activities salary supplementation during parental leave and illness and a generous number of vacation days.

Mid Sweden University actively promotes equal opportunities and strives to make the most of the qualities that diversity and gender equality bring to the organization. Salaries are determined in accordance with the central collective salary agreements RALS/RALS-T. Your personal data will be processed and stored in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We welcome questions from those interested in working with us but kindly decline offers relating to advertising and recruitment services.