Södertörn University in south Stockholm is a dynamic institute of higher education with a unique profile and high academic standard. A large proportion of the university staff holds doctorates and there is a strong link between undergraduate education and research. Södertörn University has around 11 000 students and 840 employees.
Södertörn University is an equal opportunities employer.
Research environment
As a doctoral student in Journalism, you will join a research environment that offers multidisciplinary perspectives and an advanced curriculum. Doctoral students are affiliated with a Social Science research area called Politics, Economy and the Organisation of Society (PESO), encompassing the disciplines of Business Studies, Journalism, Political Science, Social Work, and Sociology. In addition, they are affiliated with the Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS), which is part of the Centre for Baltic and East European Studies (CBEES) at Södertörn University.
Research in Journalism at Södertörn University revolves around two broad areas: a) how digital media development and innovation affect journalistic professional roles, mediated content and forms of expression, as well as journalist-audience relationships; b) journalism and society, where the focus is on the role of the news media, journalism cultures and practices in relation to democracy and public spheres (from local to global perspectives), for example regarding crises and conflict, migration and integration, intersectionality, and sustainable development. Journalism research is interdisciplinary, with one focus being the Baltic Sea and Eastern European region. For more information on Journalism at Södertörn University, read here.
Your doctoral research must have a geographical link to the Baltic Sea region and/or the post-communist part of Europe. Theses with a comparative approach must include at least one country in the above-mentioned regions, but may include other countries. A thesis may not solely relate to Sweden and Swedish society.
Job description
These doctoral positions in Journalism include admission to third-cycle education, i.e. doctoral studies, and employment on a doctoral studentship. The intended outcome is a doctoral thesis. As a doctoral student, you will take doctoral courses, participate in research seminars, and participate in national and international research activities. Your main task, however, is to conduct research and write a doctoral thesis. Supervisors will be assigned to guide you. The programme covers 240 credits, which is the equivalent of four years of full-time study. During this period, the position is fully funded. The salary is subject to an annual increase in accordance with university regulations. The position may entail other departmental duties within education, research and/or administration, but these may be equivalent to no more than 20% of full-time.
Entry requirements and selection
General entry requirements:
- a second-cycle/Master’s level qualification,
- fulfilment of the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits awarded at second-cycle/Master’s level, or
- the acquisition of substantially equivalent knowledge 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:
A qualified applicant has the equivalent of 90 credits in Journalism or closely related subject, and has successfully completed second-cycle studies in Journalism or closely related subject, or has attained the same qualifications outside of Sweden or has previously been awarded an equivalent degree. In exceptional circumstances, the Faculty Board may exempt an applicant from fulfilling the specific entry requirements.
Assessment criteria
During the evaluation of an applicant’s eligibility, special emphasis is placed on previously completed written academic work (in particular the Master’s dissertation, research papers, and research publications) that is submitted.
The submitted research plan is also important for the assessment process. The research plan should contain a preliminary subject for the applicant’s doctoral thesis, which briefly outlines its purpose, aims, theoretical perspectives, methods, and timeline for the study. The research plan should further explicate the Journalistic aspects of the study, and the sub-field(s) at the Department of Journalism to which it will primarily be connected. The research plan should also clarify which countries in the Baltic Sea region and/or the post-communist part of Europe the thesis will focus on.
The basis for selection among the eligible applicants to third-cycle studies in Journalism is stated in the General Syllabus for third-cycle programmes in journalism. When assessing the applicant’s submitted academic texts, research plan, and other documentation, special emphasis is placed on:
- independence and originality in the formulation and analysis of research problems;
- theoretical and methodological awareness;
- systematic organisation and stringency;
- scientific maturity and critical attitude;
- demonstrated ability to work within set time frames;
- the proposed research project’s relevance to Journalism, and to the Baltic Sea region and/or post-communist countries in Europe.
Admission and employment
An application for a place on a third-cycle programme is also an application for employment on a doctoral studentship. Employment is for a maximum 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). The provisions relating to employment on a doctoral studentship are stated in the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Sections 1-7. Doctoral students will be employed by the School of Social Sciences at Södertörn University. The first date of employment is 1 September 2022.
Links to further information
Journalism at Södertörn University
General Syllabus for Third-Cycle Programmes in Journalism
General information about doctoral studies at Södertörn University
Social Science Research Area (PESO)
Centre for Baltic and East European Studies (CBEES)
Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS)
Centre for the Study of Political Organisation (CPO)
Reinvent – the Centre for City Dynamics
Governing documents for doctoral education including admission regulations and regulations for third-cycle education at Södertörn University
Contact
Kristina Riegert, Professor of Journalism, email kristina.riegert@sh.se and tel. +46 73 030 6220
Liudmila Voronova, Director of Studies PESO, email liudmila.voronova@sh.se and tel. +46 8 608 52 16
Ali Hajighasemi, Head of the School of Social Sciences, email ali.hajighasemi@sh.se and tel. +46 (0)8 608 4887
Lovisa Henricsson, HR officer, email lovisa.henricsson@sh.se and tel +46 (0)8 608 4455.
Application procedure
Information and instructions for the application procedure are available on our website, www.sh.se. When applying, use Södertörn University’s web-based recruitment system ReachMee, or follow the link “ANSÖK” (APPLY) provided at the end of this announcement.
Your application must include:
- An application letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Degree certificate and certificates that demonstrate eligibility to apply for the position
- Bachelor’s essay and Master’s dissertation in the field in accordance with the entry requirements
- A research plan of no more than 2000 words (excluding references), including a description of how the planned research is related to the Baltic Sea region or post-communist countries of Europe
- Contact details for two references who can testify to your academic maturity.
- A maximum of three publications may also be attached
Incomplete applications will not be processed.
The application deadline is 14 February 2022.
Welcome with your application!
On our website, sh.se/vacantpositions, there is an application template that the applicant needs to follow. 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.
The current employment is valid on condition that the employment decision becomes valid.
Södertörn University may apply CV review.
Union representatives:
SACO: info.saco@sh.se
ST: st@sh.se
SEKO: Henry Wölling tel: +46 8 524 840 80, henry.wolling@ki.se
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