PhD Student in Media and Communication Studies

The Department of Communication, Quality Management and Information Systems conducts education and research at Mid Sweden University’s 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 Bachelor's and Master's theses and other scholarly outputs.
• The quality and relevance of a project proposal submitted as part of the application.
• The applicant’s 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 University’s 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 is 01-01-2027 or 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 University’s salary scale for doctoral students. 

Information 
For more detailed information contact the Head of research department professor Jonas Harvard, jonas.harvard@miun.se, 010-1422825, or Head of department Lottie Jangdal, lottie.jangdal@miun.se, 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 2026-08-14.