The Department of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMG) provides up to two doctoral studentships. JMG is a nationally leading and internationally renowned centre for research on journalism, media and communication. The department’s researchers are divided into five groups doing research on Crisis communication, Journalism, Media institutions and audiences; Organizations and communication as well as Political communication. For more information about the department’s research please see https://jmg.gu.se/english/research
The aim of the doctoral studentship is for the doctoral student to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to conduct research independently and to contribute to the development of knowledge within the discipline through the production of a thesis. The doctoral student is also expected to develop capacities to pursue continuing scholarly work or other types of qualified professional tasks when the studies are finalized.
The positions are limited to 4 years and carried out on a full-time basis. Exceptions from the latter can granted but the pace of study must never be less than 50 %. The positions may include departmental duties, including teaching, corresponding to up to 20% of full-time over the course of study. If such tasks are required, the duration of the appointment will be extended accordingly.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the position, the applicant must meet the entry requirements for third-cycle studies (Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, Sec.40). This is done if (s)he has obtained a master’s degree in journalism or in media and communication studies. The degree must be worth 240 higher education credits (240 ECTS credits), of which at least 60 credits must be at master’s level. Eligible are also applicants with a master’s degree in other subjects worth at least 240 higher education credits (240 ECTS credits), of which at least 60 credits are at master’s level with a master thesis clearly and primarily linked to the area of journalism, media and/or communication. An applicant who has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad can also be assessed to meet the specific entry requirements.
The applicant must be proficient in English at a level that will enable her/him to fully benefit from scientific literature and courses at doctoral level and to actively participate in the doctoral seminars, and international conferences.
Applications
To begin the application process for the doctoral program, the candidate must register an account in the university’s recruitment system. The documents are thereafter uploaded in the system. The application must include
- A CV and copies of academic transcripts verifying that the entry requirements stated above have been met. Evidence of other relevant qualifications.
- A personal letter in which the applicant outlines his/her interest in research and what s(he) want to accomplish throughout her studies and afterwards
- A copy of the applicant’s master’s thesis
- A research outline where the applicant presents the research problem s(he) want to deal with. The outline must include research questions, a theoretical framework and a suggestion for the most suitable method(s) to answer the questions. The text must not exceed 3 000 words including references.
- If available, academic papers and other relevant works.
- Two letters of recommendation or contact details to two references who can vouch for the applicant’s merits.
The texts must be submitted in Swedish or English. Any translated versions must be accompanied by the original text.
It is incumbent on the applicant that the application is complete. Additions after the deadline will not be considered.
Assessment
According to the Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, applicants will be assessed based on their estimated ability to benefit from the doctoral program. The assessment will particularly focus on the applicant’s master thesis and her/his research proposal. To what extent the applicants will pursue research in any of the department’s research groups (see above), the department’s supervisory resources and other scientific outputs produced by the applicant will also be considered.
All applicants will be assessed by a committee headed by the Director of graduate studies and the selection process takes place in two stages. First, the admissions committee reviews the submitted applications and the most prominent candidates are shortlisted. The shortlisted candidates are called to an interview. The final decision is made by the Head of Department. The decision cannot be appealed.
The application period for the doctoral program in Journalism, Media and Communication commences in June 2020 and the final date for submitting an application is 28th of August, 2020. Shortlisted applicants will be called for interviews in the later part of September, the final decision on admissions is made in October, and the new doctoral candidates typically start the program in January 2021. PAR 2020/764
For more information about the program or the admission requirements, please contact the Director of doctoral studies:
Magnus Fredriksson
+46 – 31 – 786 1196
magnus.fredriksson@jmg.gu.se
Closing date 2020-08-28
Entry 2021-01-01
Employment
Regulations for employment as doctoral student are given in the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5. Only applicants who are admitted to doctoral studies can be employed as doctoral student. A new employment as a PhD student applies for a maximum of one year. The Appointment may be prolonged for up to two years at a time. The total employment period may not be longer than the equivalent of four years of full time doctoral studies.
The University applies the current local agreement on the salaries of graduate students.