Doctoral student in media and communication studies

Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-08608/2024

Örebro University is seeking a doctoral student for the doctoral programme in Media and Communication Studies at the School of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences, concluding with a doctoral degree.

Project Description

Research in Media and Communication Studies at Örebro University contributes to the development of national and international scholarship in innovative and creative ways. The subject area has three main focus areas: Strategic Communication, Discourse, Communication and Media, and Film and Media. Utilizing diverse theories and methods, we examine various communicative and mediated practices and phenomena in both local and global contexts.

The doctoral candidate will conduct research within the area of strategic communication as part of a project funded by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). The project aims to provide much needed insights at a time when Sweden’s terrorism threat level is high, and preparedness must be strengthened. Specifically, it will investigate how first responders and emergency healthcare professionals approach, collaborate, and communicate regarding hostile threats involving dangerous substances. These substances may include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive materials (CBRNE).

Key questions to be addressed include how such crisis management actors perceive and communicate about topics that often provoke significant public concern, how first responders handle voluntary aspects of certain emergency operations, and dilemmas arising when balancing personal safety with societal security. It is a newly initiated, interdisciplinary project involving collaboration between Media and Communication Studies at Örebro University, Radiation Physics at Lund University, and the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI).

The doctoral candidate will initially create a literature review on existing research regarding organizational and personnel preparedness for countering hostile threats involving dangerous substances, with a specific focus on critical communication issues. The candidate will also participate in designing a quantitative study on preparedness and communication work within emergency response and healthcare services concerning hostile threats involving hazardous substances. If desired, the candidate may also work with qualitative data and methods as part of the project. Research results will be disseminated through scholarly articles with the support of supervisors.

The programme and the doctoral studentship

The doctoral programme consists of coursework and independent research, culminating in a doctoral dissertation. The program ends with the conferral of a doctoral degree. The education comprises 240 credits, equivalent to four years of full-time study.

Our goal is to ensure your doctoral education is stimulating and meaningful from start to finish. A comprehensive introduction will facilitate the start of your studies and provide a solid foundation for your doctoral training.

The position includes full-time employment as a doctoral student during the study period. Details on employment terms, part-time study options, and employment guidelines are available in the regulations handbook. The starting salary for doctoral positions is SEK 31,300 per month.

Doctoral employment is a specially tailored position for doctoral education and guarantees employment throughout the program (contingent on satisfactory progress).

Entry requirement and Selection

To be admitted to doctoral studies, applicants must meet general eligibility requirements and specific eligibility requirements and demonstrate the ability to complete the program successfully. General eligibility is met by those who have completed an advanced degree, acquired 240 credits (at least 60 at the advanced level), or obtained equivalent qualifications in Sweden or abroad. Full eligibility requirements are outlined in the admissions regulations and the general syllabus for the subject.

A person meets the specific entry requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes in the subject if they have received a passing grade in courses of at least 120 credits, including an independent project at both the bachelor’s and master’s level, in media and communication studies or in an equivalent main field of study. A person who has acquired substantially corresponding knowledge, in Sweden or abroad, also meets the specific entry requirements.

Special consideration will be given to documented qualifications in the following areas:

• A master’s thesis relevant to the research project.
• A master’s thesis demonstrating high academic quality.
• Academic grades at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.
• Knowledge of and practical experience in strategic communication.

Information

For further information about the program and employment, please contact the subject coordinator and professor in Media and Communication Studies Peter Berglez, peter.berglez@oru.se or head of department Johanna Stenersen johanna.stenersen@oru.se

At Örebro University, we expect all employees to embrace development and change, take responsibility for their work and quality, demonstrate a willingness to collaborate and contribute to progress, and show respect for others with a constructive and professional attitude.

Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterised by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.

Application to the programme and for the doctoral studentship

The application is made online. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.

For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:

• CV
• Copies of the original certificate and official transcript for Bachelor's degree
• Copies of the original certificate and official transcript for Master's degree
• Independent project (degree project)
• Other relevant documents, course and degree certificates verifying eligibility
• Project description – detailing the topic and aim, research questions and outline, scientific relevance, theory, and method as well as material. Write your project plan with reference to the project description above (ca 5 pages).

As a main rule, application documents and attachments are to be written in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, or English. Certificates and documents in other languages verifying your qualifications and experience must be translated by an authorised translator to Swedish or English. A list of authorised translators can be obtained from Kammarkollegiet (the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency), www.kammarkollegiet.se/engelska/start.

When you apply for admission, you automatically also apply for a doctoral studentship. More information for applicants will be found on our career site: https://www.oru.se/english/career/available-positions/applicants-and-external-experts/

The application deadline is 2025-01-09. We look forward to receiving your application!

As we have already made our choices in terms of external collaboration partners and marketing efforts for this recruitment process, we decline any contact with recruitment agencies and advertisers.

As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), we are required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.