Two doctoral studentships in Business Studies within the research area of Politics, Economy and the Organisation of Society, affiliated with the Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS)

Södertörns högskola (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 13 000 students and 840 employees. Undergraduate and postgraduate education and research are conducted in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Technology and Education. Our site is in Flemingsberg. Södertörn University is an equal opportunities employer.

Business Studies at Södertörn University addresses enterprises and different types of organisations using a variety of scientific methods and perspectives. The department is organised in the following research groups (in alphabetical order): Business and Sustainable Development; Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Financing and Financial Management; Markets and Business Models; and Organising and Leading. We welcome applications where Business Studies meets creativity, curiosity-driven and critical reflection on contemporary challenges.

For more information, please click here. For a Swedish version click here. 

Doctoral studies at the Department of Business Studies is part of the research area Politics, Economy and the Organisation of Society (PESO), which is an interdisciplinary research environment that encompasses the disciplines of Business Studies, Journalism, Political Science, Social Work, and Sociology.

For more information, please click here. For a Swedish version click here. 

The planned research for these studentships must be relevant to the Baltic Sea region or Eastern Europe (please see this list of countries) since the positions are affiliated with the Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS), which is financed by the Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies, and part of the Centre for Baltic and East European Studies (CBEES) at Södertörn University. The ‘Eastern Europe’ part comprises post-communist Central, South and East Europe. The ‘Baltic Sea Region’ part is the Baltic Sea itself and the surrounding countries.

The Foundation does not fund research relating exclusively to Sweden or Swedish conditions. However, support may be granted for research concerning Sweden, or countries entirely outside the Baltic Sea Region and Eastern Europe, in comparative studies when this is scientifically justified.

Entry requirements
The general entry requirements are:
1. a second-cycle qualification or,
2. fulfilled requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle or,
3. substantially equivalent knowledge acquired 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
Specific entry requirements for third-cycle education in Business Studies are met by those who:

1. have 90 credits in Business Studies, and
2. have successfully completed an independent dissertation of at least 15 credits at second-cycle level, or
3. have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge to that specified in items 1 and 2 in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

The ability to assimilate academic material in English and a command of the language necessary for work on the thesis are prerequisites for admission to the degree programme.

Assessment criteria
Ground for assessment that are applied during selection:

• The applicant’s formal qualifications: course/degree certificates, grades and diplomas.
• The applicant’s expertise as regards
  - subject knowledge
  - knowledge of scholarly theory and method
  - analytical ability.
• The quality, feasibility and relevance of the proposed research for Business Studies and to the Baltic Sea region or Eastern Europe.
• The ability to comply with given timeframes.
• The applicant's merits and competence are assessed in terms of creativity and scientific maturity, their ability to be rigorous and formulate problems, their independent judgement and critical analysis, and communication and cooperation skills.

During assessment, the following circumstances are also considered:

• whether there are adequate supervisory resources
• whether the planned research is deemed feasible given the available financial resources
• whether the planned research is deemed feasible from the standpoint of research ethics.

Admission and employment 
This position includes admission to third-cycle education, i.e. research level, and employment on a doctoral studentship at the School of Social Sciences at Södertörn University. The intended outcome for admitted students is a PhD. The programme covers 240 credits, which is the equivalent 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). Other grounds for extension could be leave of absence because of illness or for service in the defence forces, an elected position in a trade union/student organisation, or parental leave. Provisions relating to employment on a doctoral studentship are in the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Sections 1-7. 

Date of employment: 1 September 2024 

General Syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Business Studies: English version or Swedish version.  

Information about admission regulations including selection criteria, and third-cycle education at Södertörn University: English version or Swedish version 

Application procedure
For more details, see this website under FAQ. Please use Södertörn University´s web-based recruitment system “ReachMee”. Click on the link "ansök" (apply) at the bottom of the announcement.

Your application may be written in English or Swedish/Norwegian/Danish and must include:

- an application letter

- curriculum vitae

- degree certificate and certificates that demonstrate eligibility to apply for the position (if not written in English or Swedish/Norwegian/Danish, you must enclose translated versions)

- Bachelor’s essay and dissertation at second-cycle level in the field in accordance with the entry requirements (if not written in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, you must enclose a summary of 5-6 pages, approx. 14,000 characters, to the copy of the essay)

- a research plan (project plan) of between 2000 and 3000 words. The project’s relevance to Business Studies, Politics, Economy and the Organisation of Society and studies of the Baltic Sea region or Eastern Europe must be clear

- two references, with contact details.

If available, a maximum of three publications may also be attached.

Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Application deadline: 13 February 2024 at 23:59

Further information 
Peter Dobers, Professor in Business Studies, School of Social Sciences, peter.dobers@sh.se
Liudmila Voronova, Director of Studies, School of Social Sciences, liudmila.voronova@sh.se
Florence Fröhlig, Director of Studies, Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS), florence.frohlig@sh.se
Lovisa Uttman, Human Resources Officer, School of Social Sciences, lovisa.uttman@sh.se

Welcome with your application! 

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.

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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