项目介绍

2025年5月7日

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

Doctoral position in journalism, media and communication    

The Department of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMG) hereby announces one or more doctoral positions in journalism, media and communication. JMG is Sweden’s leading and an internationally prominent research environment in this field. The department’s researchers mainly work on issues related to journalism and news reporting in transition, crisis and risk communication, media audiences and use, digital culture and digital media, and political communication. Read more about JMG’s research here. 

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the University’s doctoral student pages: https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Duties   

The doctoral student is expected to primarily devote time to their own education at the third-cycle level. The goal is to produce a scholarly doctoral thesis that demonstrates the candidate’s ability to independently conduct research and contribute to the development of knowledge within the subject. The position also aims to develop the candidate’s ability to apply their academic skills and knowledge in future research or qualified professional work

Doctoral studies comprise four years of full-time study and leads to a doctoral degree.

As part of the employment as a doctoral student, one may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout the study period, and will result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.

Eligibility   

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or

2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or

3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

For the degree and studies at second-cycle level, the subject must be journalism or media and communication studies. If the applicant has studied another subject, the thesis must have a clear focus on journalism, media and/or communication. Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in English to be able to read academic literature, complete doctoral-level coursework, and participate actively in seminars and international conferences. Swedish is the official working language at the University of Gothenburg. At JMG, all research communication takes place in English, while preparatory and decision-making meetings in formal bodies are conducted in Swedish.

Assessment criteria   

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies.   

Admission and employment   

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100. Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years. The doctoral position at JMG is full-time (100%). The position starts on 1 January 2026 or by agreement. The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students. Doctoral studies at JMG require physical presence to complete the programme. If the admitted applicant requires a residence permit to pursue studies in Sweden, JMG reserves the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid permit by the start date of the programme.

Selection process   

Provisions for employment as a doctoral student are set out in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100). The primary selection criterion is the applicant’s ability to benefit from third-cycle studies. Emphasis is placed on the quality of the applicant’s master’s thesis and research proposal. Considerable weight is also given to how well the proposed project aligns with one of the department’s research areas (see above), and whether JMG can offer qualified supervision. Additional academic merits will also be considered.

The application period begins in May 2025, and the final date to apply is 31 August 2025. Interviews will be conducted in the autumn, and decisions on admission will be made thereafter. The selection is made by an admission committee led by the Director of Studies for third-cycle education. The decision on admission is made by the Head of Department and cannot be appealed.

Contact information 

For questions about the doctoral position or the application requirements, please contact:

Annika Bergström Director of Studies, PhD Programme

Email: annika.bergstrom@jmg.gu.se

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande   

Application   

You apply for admission to doctoral studies through the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is received by the University no later than the application deadline.

The application must include the following:

-A personal letter describing your background, interest in the subject, and motivation for pursuing doctoral studies. If you refer to eligibility qualifications other than a second-cycle degree, this must be specified and justified in the letter.

-Curriculum Vitae (CV)

-Certified copies of degree certificates, academic transcripts, and other relevant documents

-A copy of your bachelor’s or master’s thesis

-A research proposal outlining your planned doctoral project. The proposal should describe the research problem, research questions, theoretical framework, and methodology you intend to use. The proposal may not exceed 3,000 words including references.

-If applicable, copies of other academic publications (e.g., journal articles, reports, etc.)

-Two letters of recommendation or contact details of two referees

-Accepted languages for all submitted documents are Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, and English, or certified translations into one of these languages. The original version must also be attached in the case of a translation.

-Applicants considering the use of generative AI tools in their application are hereby reminded that they are fully responsible for all submitted content, including any material generated with such tools.

The application deadline is: 31 August 2025

The University actively promotes a work environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings to the organisation. According to the regulations of the Swedish National Archives, the University is required to retain application documents for two years after the recruitment decision has been made. If you explicitly request the return of your documents, they will be sent back to you once the two-year period has passed; otherwise, they will be discarded.

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/