PhD Candidates in Civil Society Studies

We are looking for PhD candidates for our doctoral education in civil society studies, within the area of Humans in the Welfare Society. Civil society studies is the systematic study of civil society.

The subject belongs to the social sciences with perspectives on society, organizations, and individuals that have developed within sociology, political science, social work, and economics, but also has a background in humanities subjects such as history and theology. Civil society is often defined as a societal sphere that, together with the state, business, and household spheres, constitutes society. Civil society includes ideologies, non-profit organizations, informal networks, and citizens' engagement. Within civil society studies, civil society, the non-profit sector, non-profit organizations, and voluntary engagement are significant concepts. In studying the relationship between individuals and societal interests, social capital, trust, social movements, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship are important empirical data, and political theory, organizational theory, historical institutionalism, and power theory are examples of central theories.

The PhD positions are placed within the Department of Civil Society and Religion. The applicants' doctoral projects should be directed towards one of the department's research orientations:

• Civic Engagement
• Organization and Management
• Trust
• Welfare

Based on the chosen orientation, the applicant should draft a project plan outline for their dissertation work (see below). For a closer presentation of the four orientations, see the presentation of the Center for Civil Society Research (CCF) on the university's website.

The doctoral education in civil society studies is part of the area of Humans in the Welfare Society at Marie Cederschiöld University and is conducted in accordance with the degree objectives in the Higher Education Ordinance.

Eligibility

To be admitted to the doctoral education in civil society studies within the area of Humans in the Welfare Society, basic and specific eligibility and the ability to benefit from the education are required, see the university's admission regulations here (https://www.mchs.se/forskning/forskarutbildning.html).

Basic eligibility is granted to those who have:

• completed a degree at an advanced level
• fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at an advanced level, or
• acquired equivalent knowledge in other ways.

Specific eligibility is fulfilled by completed course requirements of at least 30 higher education credits in subjects relevant to the respective doctoral education subject at an advanced level, of which at least 15 higher education credits consist of an independent project at an advanced level, or equivalent knowledge.

Furthermore, you have:

• Good collaboration skills
• Good ability to prioritize and structure your tasks
• Good ability to express yourself verbally and in writing in Swedish and English
• Ability to contribute to a good and healthy work environment

Decision on Doctoral Employment

Decisions on doctoral employment are made in conjunction with decisions on admission to the doctoral education Humans in the Welfare Society.

Employment Conditions

The position as a doctoral student is time-limited. The total employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. The employment scope is 100%.

The salary for the doctoral position follows a fixed salary scale based on achieved activity within the doctoral education. The starting salary is 31,500 SEK per month.

Application

Applications are made via the university's recruitment system, Varbi. For more information about admission and doctoral education, visit our website here (https://www.mchs.se/forskning/forskarutbildning.html).

The application should be accompanied by the following attachments:

• Personal letter explaining why you are applying for the doctoral education Humans in the Welfare Society at Marie Cederschiöld University
• Research sketch/draft project plan for the dissertation work indicating which orientation has been chosen (Trust, Organization and Management, Civic Engagement, Welfare) and containing the following headings: background, problem formulation, purpose, method, and expected significance of the project (maximum word count: 3000).
• Master's thesis
• Application for assessment of eligibility. The form can be downloaded from here (https://www.mchs.se/forskning/forskarutbildning.html).
• CV with degrees, work experience, and other relevant merits
• Certificate confirming eligibility for doctoral education. Foreign degrees and course certificates should normally be validated by the Swedish Council for Higher Education.

Deadline for applications: 2026-02-01. After processing the applications, a selection of candidates will be invited for an interview. All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed. Welcome with your application!

Inquiries

Civil Society Studies
Professor Johan von Essen
Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Phone: 0708-518 123

General Information about Doctoral Education
Program Coordinator Linda Jonsson
Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Phone: 070-552 27 19

Vice-Rector Maria Eriksson
Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Phone: 076-636 50 31

Study Administrator Anna Lögdberg
Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Phone: 076-636 50 38

For Union Information
Chair of the Local SULF Association
Elisabeth Christiansson Drake
Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Phone: 076-636 50 79

For Information from the Doctoral Student Association
Chair of the Doctoral Student Association
Josephine Ganebo-Skantz
Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Marie Cederschiöld University is a workplace and an educational institution characterized by an open and inclusive approach, where equality and equal opportunities add value to our activities.

Marie Cederschiöld University has made a conscious choice for this recruitment and therefore requests no contact with advertisement sellers or other sellers of recruitment services.

At Marie Cederschiöld University, research is conducted in the humanities, social sciences, and health sciences. The university's doctoral education is within the area of Humans in the Welfare Society with three doctoral subjects; health sciences, social work, and civil society studies. The university also offers education at the undergraduate and advanced levels in health sciences, social work, and theology, as well as commissioned education. The university changed its name in 2022 to Marie Cederschiöld University from the previous Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University.