The project has no titlePhD Student in Media and Communication Studies with a specialization in Changing Journalistic Fields in Post-Soviet Spaces

Uppsala University’s Department of Informatics and Media (https://www.uu.se/en/department/informatics-and-media) has a broad and interdisciplinary research profile based on research in the subjects Media- and Communication Studies, Human-Computer Interaction and Information Systems. Within Media and Communication Studies (MCS, https://www.uu.se/en/department/informatics-and-media/research/research-in-media-and-communication-studies), staff conducts research across a variety of types of communication and mediation in a number of global and local contexts. While our work spans many topics and approaches, it is linked by a profoundly interdisciplinary and critical approach. We study media and communication as fundamental in setting trajectories of contemporary social change as well defining conditions and challenges of human existence and work within both qualitative and quantitative approaches to social inquiry.

Uppsala University’s Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies (https://www.uu.se/en/department/russian-and-eurasian-studies) is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Russian and Eurasian Studies has been an established academic discipline at Uppsala University for almost fifty years and has a widely recognised, integrated multi-disciplinary long-term research program with an in-depth focus on recent developments in Russia, and in the wider post-Soviet region.

Duties/Project Description
The position is a fully salaried PhD position (doktorandtjänst) in Media and Communications based at the Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies (IRES). The candidate must be admitted as a Doctoral Student at the Department of Informatics and Media and within the PhD program in Media and Communication Studies. The holder of the position is to be formally employed at IRES. The PhD Student will have a supervisor at both Department of Informatics and Media (Media & Communication Studies) as well as at IRES.

The position is equivalent to a maximum of four-year full-time PhD studies. The holder of the PhD position shall primarily devote her/himself to her/his own doctoral study. Active participation in departmental activities – at both Informatics & Media and IRES is expected. Other tasks, including teaching and administrative work, can also be part of the employment (for a maximum of 20%). The language of teaching is English and Swedish.

Requirements
For admission to the PhD program in Media and Communication Studies, an applicant must have basic and specific eligibility prescribed by the Uppsala University Faculty of Social Sciences. Anyone with a degree on the advanced level (i.e. a master's degree), that has completed course requirements of at least 240 credits (including at least 60 credits at advanced level) has fulfilled the basic entry requirements, The specific eligibility requirements for admission to the PhD program in Media and Communication require that the applicant has passed courses of 90 credits in Media and Communication Studies. Anyone that in any other way, in or out of the country, has acquired equivalent knowledge is also considered to fulfil the basic or specific eligibility requirements, respectively. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements no later than at the time of the start of the doctoral education.

We are seeking a candidate with well documented knowledge in media and communication, a good overview of media and cultural sociological theories and methods connected to the study of social actors (e.g. interviews and/or surveys). The candidate should furthermore have a strong interest in pursuing empirical research on structural changes in journalistic fields in the post-Soviet space. Given the placement of this post at IRES/UU, the candidates’ research projects should cover contexts located in Russia and/or widely conceived post-Soviet space, including Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and ideally consider those in a cross-national or comparative perspective.

Great importance will be attached to the candidate's personal suitability for the post. Apart from academic credentials, qualifications sought for are teamwork abilities, initiative, independence and a critical, reflective as well as analytic approach. Very good communicative skills are essential, including the excellent command of written and spoken English.

The successful applicant must demonstrate at least C1-level proficiency in a regional language of significance – Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Moldovan, Georgian, Kyrgyz, Latvian etc. – that is relevant for the chosen research project. Working knowledge of any other significant regional languages as well is considered a merit.

When the University employs new doctoral students, those candidates will be chosen who after a qualitative evaluation of competence and skills have been deemed to have the best capacity to fulfil work duties as well as contribute to a positive development of the research environment. Of vital importance is the capacity to timely complete the doctoral program.Qualifications must be documented so that quality as well as extent can be evaluated. Candidates should be available for interview, either in person in Uppsala or online.

Additional information

• For information about PhD studies at Uppsala University, see https://www.uu.se/en/research/phd-studies
• For a description of PhD Education within UU Faculty of Social Sciences and UU Department of Informatics and media, see https://www.uu.se/en/faculty/social-sciences/study/phd-studies and https://www.uu.se/en/department/informatics-and-media/study/phd-studies respectively
• For further information about the Subject of Media and Communication Studies and General Study Plan for PhD in Media & Communications at UU, see https://www.uu.se/en/department/informatics-and-media/research/research-in-media-and-communication-studies and https://www.uu.se/download/18.773af7981919740a5cc20fd9/1725374081420/SAMFAK 2021-161 Allmän studieplan medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap.pdf respectively

Complete applications must include all of the below:

• Filled out application form for admission to the doctoral program in Media and Communication Studies available at https://www.uu.se/download/18.111a644e18afe6e278626fd/1696514748419/Ansokan_forskarniva_eng_210308.pdf - NB: UPDATE WITH EXTERNAL LINK
• A concise letter of application documenting:
  • the motives why you are applying, your research interest and relevant experiences for the PhD post (max 500 words);
  • a list of documents submitted in to support the application;
  • if more than one academic work is handed in, you should name one of them to be prioritized by the admission committee.
• A dissertation plan (two pages max, in English). The plan should cover theoretical approach, aim, research questions, type of data, method and time plan.
• Curriculum Vitae/Résumé, including English proficiency with certified transcript(s) of your academic record/degree(s) to date, proving the basic and specific eligibility
• Two letters of recommendation
• A copy of independently written work produced within the applicant's course of studies (e.g. bachelor or master thesis; include a draft if not completed) or other relevant text(s)
• Other documents the applicant may wish to attach in support of their application (e.g. English test results)

PLEASE NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se/?languageld=l EXT LINK NEEDED.

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University's excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.

Start date: 2025-09-01 or as soon as possible thereafter (to be agreed).

Conditions of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.

Scope of employment: 100 % (1.0 FTE)

For further information about the positions please contact:

• Head of UU Department of Informatics and Media – Dr Tomas Eklund: tomas.eklund@im.uu.se
• Director of UU Institute for Russian & Eurasian Studies – Dr Claes Levinson claes.levinsson@ires.uu.se
• Chair of Media and Communication Studies - Prof. Michał Krzyżanowski: michal.krzyzanowski@im.uu.se

Please submit your application by June 9, 2025 quoting reference UFV-PA 2025/1567.