Doctoral Studentships in Media and Communication Studies at Örebro University Örebro University in Sweden

Örebro University invites applications for two doctoral studentships in Media and Communication Studies, commencing Autumn 2026 at the School of Humanities, Education & Social Sciences. The programme is designed for candidates interested in cross-disciplinary and critical approaches to media and communication, with research grouped into three main themes: Discourse, Communication and Media (DCM), Moving Images and Screen Cultures (MISC), and Strategic Communication (SCOM).

Applicants are expected to propose doctoral projects that connect to one of the prioritised research areas:

• DCM: Food and Health – Focuses on how food, health, and sustainability are communicated on digital platforms, including social media trends and health apps. Projects may address themes such as commodification of health, nationalism and health/sustainability, scientific expertise, and medicalization of food.
• MISC: Audiovisual Media in Philosophy, Theory, and Science – Explores the use of audiovisual media by philosophers, theorists, and scientists to produce new knowledge. Relevant topics include scholarly video essays, media as tools in natural sciences, the human body in media use, and transmedia aspects of scholarly work.
• SCOM: Public Strategic Communication in Times of Risk and Change – Investigates strategic communication within public sector organizations in a digital and democratic society, including evolving organizational forms, professional roles, mediatization, digitalization, and communication of expert knowledge in contexts of uncertainty and risk.

The doctoral programme comprises 240 credits (four years full-time), including coursework and an independent research project culminating in a doctoral thesis. Students will be assigned a main supervisor and a co-supervisor, and benefit from a tailored seminar series covering programme rules, career development, and networking. The studentship is full-time for the duration of the programme, with possible teaching or administrative duties (up to 20% of full-time), which may extend the programme duration.

Funding is provided through a doctoral studentship with an initial salary of SEK 32,300 per month. More information on studentships and regulations is available in the university’s Regulations Handbook.

Entry requirements include a second-cycle qualification or equivalent (at least 240 credits, with 60 at second-cycle level), and passing grades in at least 120 credits (including independent projects at bachelor’s and master’s level) in Media and Communication Studies or an equivalent field. Substantially corresponding knowledge from Sweden or abroad is also accepted. Selection criteria include the scientific quality of the independent project/thesis, grades at bachelor’s and master’s level, scientific quality and feasibility of the project presentation, connection to prioritised research areas, and ability to engage in the research milieu at Campus Örebro.

Application is online. Required documents: CV, certificates and transcripts for bachelor’s and master’s degrees, independent project, other relevant documents verifying eligibility, and a project description (5-10 pages) detailing topic, aim, research questions, scientific relevance, theory, method, and material, with clear connection to one of the prioritised research areas. Documents must be in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, or English; other languages require authorised translation. When you apply for admission, you automatically apply for the studentship.

For further information, contact subject coordinator Åsa Kroon ([email protected]) or head of unit Johanna Stenersen ([email protected]). Additional details about the programme and application process are available at Media and Communication Studies and Career Site.

The application deadline is 3 August 2026. Örebro University values diversity, equal opportunities, and a work environment characterised by openness, trust, and respect.