Södertörn University is a higher education institution in Stockholm that conducts education, research and collaboration with the surrounding community for sustainable societal development. Education and research are conducted in the humanities, social sciences, technology and natural sciences. The university also provides police and teacher education programmes with intercultural profiles. A significant amount of our research is multidisciplinary and specialises in the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe. At Södertörn University we combine subjects, perspectives, people and experiences, searching for surprising syntheses, challenges and development.
Journalism research at Södertörn University is interdisciplinary, with a profile in eastern European studies and the social sciences. It revolves around two broad focus areas: a) digital media development related to journalistic professional roles, editorial processes, mediated content and forms of expression, and audience engagement on digital platforms; and b) journalism and society, where the focus is the role of news media, journalistic cultures and practices in relation to political actors, democracy and public spheres from local to global perspectives.
Emerging and ongoing research interests include subjects such as crises and conflicts, visual and literary journalism, journalism’s changing epistemologies, AI and verification regimes, exile journalism, local journalism and community engagement, as well as climate journalism and sustainable development. Our staff and doctoral students are involved in multiple national and international research networks, as well as close multidisciplinary cooperation with both Media and Communication Studies and Media Technology at Södertörn University.
For more information, please click here. For a Swedish version click here.
Doctoral studies at the Department of Journalism are included in the research area of Politics, Economy and the Organisation of Society, which is an interdisciplinary research environment that encompasses the disciplines of Business Studies, Journalism, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Work, and Sociology.
The work environment at Södertörn University is bilingual, with both Swedish and English as working languages.
For more information, please click here. For a Swedish version click here.
The planned research for this studentship must be relevant to the Baltic Sea region or Eastern Europe (please see this list of countries) because the position is affiliated with the Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS). This is financed by the Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies and is part of the Centre for Baltic and East European Studies (CBEES) at Södertörn University. Eastern Europe comprises post-communist central, south and east Europe. The Baltic Sea Region is the Baltic Sea and the surrounding countries.
The Foundation does not fund research that relates exclusively to Sweden or Swedish conditions. However, funding may be granted for comparative studies concerning Sweden, or countries entirely outside the Baltic Sea Region and Eastern Europe, when there is a scholarly justification for this.
Entry requirements
The general entry requirements are:
1. a second-cycle qualification or,
2. fulfilled requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle or,
3. substantially equivalent knowledge acquired in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
The Faculty Board may permit an exemption from the general entry requirements for an individual applicant, if there are special grounds. (Ordinance 2010:1064)
Specific entry requirements
Specific entry requirements for third-cycle education in Journalism are met by those who
- have 90 credits in Journalism or a related subject, and
- have successfully completed an independent project of at least 15 credits at second-cycle level, or
- have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge to that specified in items 1 and 2 in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
The ability to assimilate academic material in English and a command of the language necessary for work on the thesis are prerequisites for admission to the degree programme.
Assessment criteria
Grounds for selection are the following: documented formal qualifications, demonstrated expertise at the time of application in the form of essays and other independent written scholarly works and, where relevant, a proposed research plan. For the applicants who are assessed as most qualified, an interview and references will be used as grounds for selection.
Eligible applicants must be ranked by their ability to assimilate third-cycle programmes, after which other circumstances are considered based on the ranking.
An applicant who is considered able to transfer credits from prior education or professional experience may not be given priority over other applicants.
Aspects of gender equality must always be considered. Where qualifications are equivalent, applicants from the underrepresented sex, in relation to the distribution among third-cycle students in the subject at the university, have priority.
Grounds for assessment that are applied during selection:
- The applicant’s formal qualifications: course/degree certificates, grades and diplomas.
- The applicant’s expertise as regards subject knowledge, knowledge of scholarly theory and method and analytical ability.
- The quality, feasibility and relevance of the proposed research for the research subject and area and, where relevant, the graduate school or research project. For applicants to doctoral positions affiliated with the Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS), the research plan will also be assessed according to its links to and relevance for the graduate school.
- The ability to comply with given timeframes.
- Any documented experience from relevant professional activities.
- The applicant’s merits and competence are assessed in terms of creativity and scientific maturity, ability to be rigorous and formulate problems, independent judgment and critical analysis, and communication and cooperation skills.
During assessment, the following circumstances are also considered:
- whether there are adequate supervisory resources
- whether the planned research is deemed feasible given the available financial resources
- whether the planned research is deemed feasible from the standpoint of research ethics.
Admission and employment
This position includes admission to third-cycle education, i.e. research level, and employment on a doctoral studentship at the School of Social Sciences at Södertörn University. The intended outcome for admitted students is a PhD. The programme covers 240 credits, which is the equivalent of four years of full-time study. The position may be extended by a maximum of one year due to the inclusion of departmental duties, i.e. education, research and/or administration (equivalent to no more than 20% of full-time). Other grounds for extension could be leave of absence because of illness or for service in the defence forces, an elected position in a trade union/student organisation, or parental leave. Provisions relating to employment on a doctoral studentship are in the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.
Date of employment: 1 September 2026
General Syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Journalism: English version or Swedish version.
Information about admission regulations including selection criteria, and third-cycle education at Södertörn University: English version or Swedish version
Application procedure
For more details, see this website under FAQ. Please use Södertörn University´s web-based recruitment system “ReachMee”. Click on the link “ansök” (apply) at the bottom of the announcement.
Your application may be written in English or Swedish/Norwegian/Danish and must include:
– an application letter
– curriculum vitae
– degree certificate and certificates that demonstrate eligibility to apply for the position (if not written in English or Swedish/Norwegian/Danish, you must enclose translated versions)
– Bachelor’s essay and dissertation at second-cycle level in the field in accordance with the entry requirements (if not written in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, you must enclose a summary of 5-6 pages, approx. 14,000 characters, to the copy of the essay)
– a research plan (project plan) of between 2000-3000 words. The research plan should contain a preliminary subject for the doctoral thesis and briefly outline the purpose, aims, theoretical perspectives, methods and timeline. It should also explain the journalistically relevant aspects of the study, and the focus areas at the Department of Journalism to which it will primarily be connected. The project’s relevance to Journalism; Politics, Economy and the Organisation of Society and studies of the Baltic Sea region or Eastern Europe must be clear
– two references, with contact details.
If available, a maximum of three publications may also be attached.
Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Application deadline: 11 February 2026 at 23:59
Further information
Kristina Riegert, Professor of Journalism, Department of Journalism, School of Social Sciences, kristina.riegert@sh.se
Liudmila Voronova, Director of Studies, School of Social Sciences, liudmila.voronova@sh.se
Florence Fröhlig, Director of Studies, Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS), florence.frohlig@sh.se
Ulrica Lindbäck, Human Resources Officer, School of Social Sciences, ulrica.lindback@sh.se
Welcome with your application!
Publications referred to must be attached to the application.
An application that is not complete or arrives at Södertörn University after the closing date may be rejected.
Union representatives:
SACO: info.saco@sh.se
ST: st@sh.se
SEKO: mattias.kollberg@seko.se
and Robert Lindberg robert.g.lindberg@seko.se