Vacant job

The Department of Communication, Quality Technology and Information Systems conducts education and research at campuses in Sundsvall and Östersund. Media and Communication Science is located at Campus Sundsvall and is linked to the research centre DEMICOM.

Within DEMICOM, research is conducted on democracy and communication in the digital society. The research covers, among other things, strategic communication, political communication, journalism, organizational communication, crisis communication, and communication for sustainable development. The research is characterized by societal relevance, interdisciplinary collaborations, and close connections to current societal challenges.

Job Description

The doctoral position is primarily research-oriented and comprises approximately 80 percent research and 20 percent teaching and/or departmental duties. You will undertake doctoral studies in Media and Communication Science, be part of the research environment at DEMICOM, and contribute to scientific publications, conferences, and other research activities.

The employment is linked to a research project investigating strategic influence work and lobbying in relation to environmental, climate, and sustainability issues. The project focuses on questions where multiple actors, conflicting interests, and competing future visions meet. The aim is to create new knowledge about how various organizations, companies, authorities, interest groups, and other actors attempt to influence norms, public opinion, policy development, and societal transition.

The research project studies, among other things:

• strategic influence work and lobbying regarding environmental, climate, and sustainability issues,
• how organizations and interest groups use narratives, arguments, and claims to influence societal development,
• how different actors position themselves, negotiate, and seek influence and legitimacy in connection with the green transition,
• the role of communication in political processes, policy development, and societal change.

As a doctoral student, you will develop and conduct your own dissertation project within this research direction. The project will be designed in dialogue with supervisors and the research environment but must clearly relate to questions concerning strategic communication, influence work, sustainable development, and societal transition. Examples of empirical areas include forestry issues, food systems, energy transition, industrial establishments, or other sustainability-related policy areas.

You will work closely with researchers within DEMICOM and have the opportunity to contribute to joint publications, data collections, and research applications.

Qualifications

Basic eligibility is held by those who have completed an advanced level degree or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at an advanced level, or have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

Special eligibility is held by those who have at least 90 higher education credits in Media and Communication Science or have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

Assessment Criteria

Assessment and selection of applicants are based on scientific proficiency and personal qualities:

Scientific Proficiency

• scientific proficiency and documented aptitude for research,
• the quality of previous independent work and other scientific merits,
• a project sketch linked to the research area of the call,
• the applicant's ability to benefit from the doctoral education.

Personal Qualities

We are looking for someone who:

• is analytical and has a strong interest in research,
• is curious about societal issues, communication, organizations, and sustainable development,
• can work independently and take responsibility for driving a long-term research project,
• has good collaboration skills and thrives in working in research groups and interdisciplinary environments,
• is motivated to contribute to an active and supportive research environment,
• has the ability to communicate scientific results to different target groups.

We place great emphasis on personal suitability.

Other Assessment Criteria

Very good ability to communicate both orally and in writing in English is required.

Administration

The processing of the employment follows the forms specified in Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance and continues in accordance with Mid Sweden University's employment regulations.

Employment and Start Date

The doctoral employment refers to an employment equivalent to four years of full-time studies and is expected to lead to a doctoral degree. Start date 2027-01-01 or by agreement.

A new employment as a doctoral student is valid for at most one year; the employment may thereafter be renewed for at most two years at a time. Regulations concerning employment as a doctoral student can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.

Place of Work: Sundsvall

Salary: According to Mid Sweden University's salary scale for doctoral students.

Information

Further information is provided by Centre Director and Professor Jonas Harvard, [email protected], 010-1422825, or Proprefect Lottie Jangdal, [email protected], 010-1428481.

Application

Application documents must be in Swedish or English.

Attached to the application should be a verified merit list, a description of the applicant, degree certificates, thesis(es), and a brief description (max 5 pages) of the proposed dissertation topic, as well as other relevant publications. An incomplete application will not be processed, and decisions regarding employment as a doctoral student cannot be appealed.

We welcome your application via our recruitment system by 2026-08-14.