PhD Candidate in Media and Communication Studies

Sapere Aude – dare to be wise – is our motto. Our students and employees develop socially important knowledge that enriches both the individual and the world. Our academic environment is characterized by curiosity, courage, and openness, fostering close relationships between people, roles, subjects, and research. The foundation of our operations is equality, diversity, and a democratic perspective. We are located in Värmland, a nature-rich and culturally vibrant region where we serve as a driving force for sustainable development in close collaboration with society. Karlstad University has approximately 1,400 employees and 17,700 students across two inspiring campus environments in Karlstad and Arvika. Learn more about us at: https://www.kau.se/jobba-hos-oss **Description** The Department of Geography, Media, and Communication is announcing a PhD position in Media and Communication Studies. The department consists of Media and Communication Studies, Geography, Cultural Geography, and Tourism Science. It is responsible for undergraduate education in several programs as well as advanced level programs. Media and Communication Studies is part of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and represents an attractive educational and research environment. Cross-disciplinary contacts and global perspectives are integral to our work. Undergraduate education is primarily conducted within three programs: Communication & PR, Visual Communication and Design, and Digital Media and Analysis. Research in Media and Communication Studies is conducted within two distinguished research environments at the department: the research center Geomedia (http://www.kau.se/geomedia/) and the research environment NODE (The Ander Centre for Research on News and Opinion in the Digital Era) (http://www.kau.se/node/). The announced PhD position is linked to the research project Measures of Mediatization, which is part of Geomedia. Geomedia is an interdisciplinary research center that brings together over 30 researchers and doctoral students, offering a variety of research-related activities, such as the Geomedia Speaker Series. Research at Geomedia focuses on the interplay between media, spatiality, and mobility in light of both contemporary and historical transformations in technology, society, and culture. Particular emphasis is placed on current societal challenges related to "geomedialization" and its drivers and consequences for everyday life and specific locations, as well as for social structures and global conditions. The dissertation project will be part of the research project Measures of Mediatization, Phase 3, which examines mediatization processes in everyday life and in relation to social factors through survey methods (https://www.kau.se/en/geomedia/projects/measuring-mediatization). A national survey has been conducted every two years since 2017. The next data collection is planned for 2027. The selected PhD student will have the opportunity to formulate a research question that fits within the framework of the overall research project and is also encouraged to combine survey data with qualitative interview data (focus groups) from the ongoing Geomedia Panel (https://www.kau.se/geomedia/forskning/geomediapanelen). **Responsibilities** As a PhD student, you will primarily focus on your own doctoral education. The doctoral program, consisting of 240 ECTS for the PhD degree and 120 ECTS for the licentiate degree, offers a combination of paid studies and work, providing a pathway to an academic career. As a PhD student, you will work independently and be ready to contribute in various ways to the development of the subject and the department. You will have the opportunity to deepen your interests alongside others. By agreement, you may also participate in teaching and administration, referred to as departmental service. Such work may comprise a maximum of 20% of the full-time position. The work as a PhD student provides great flexibility to plan and structure your day, which requires commitment, drive, and the ability to organize your work to successfully complete a dissertation. To contribute to a positive work environment and support both the development of the organization and your own progression as a researcher, you are expected to be present and actively participate in daily work and community engagement. The PhD position is associated with Geomedia's research project Measures of Mediatization, Phase 3, funded by the Anne-Marie and Gustaf Anders Foundation for Media Research. As a PhD student connected to this project, you are expected to pursue an independent dissertation project relevant to the program's focus and research questions. **Eligibility** To be admitted to the doctoral program, you must meet both general and specific eligibility requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 35). General eligibility is fulfilled by those who have completed a master’s degree, achieved course credits of at least 240 ECTS, including at least 60 ECTS at the advanced level, or who have acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 39). Specific eligibility is given to those who have completed courses totaling at least 90 ECTS in