Department of Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH)

Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship in digital media and communication research at the Department of Communication, University of Copenhagen. The successful candidate will be employed at the Faculty of Humanities and enrolled in the PhD School at the Faculty of Humanities.

The scholarship is for 3 years starting 1 January 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Introduction

The successful applicant will become part of the project entitled, GREENWATCH – Green Surveillance: Imagining a Sustainable Internet of Things, funded through a European Research Council Advanced Grant, 2025-2029. The project examines the potentials and challenges of employing the Internet of Things (IoT) as a communication system monitoring the effects of human activities of Earth’s ecosystems, which further entails surveillance of human individuals and social institutions. The position represents a unique opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary and culturally comparative work covering China, Europe, and the United States, and to contribute to theory development on a strategic issue with global ramifications.

The successful applicant will undertake quantitative content analyses and qualitative discourse studies of advertising campaigns and other strategic communication by IoT companies in China, Europe, and the United States, and will contribute to collaborative and comparative analyses of political and commercial imaginaries of IoT as part of the green transition.

The PhD program is a study program training PhD students, at an international level, to undertake research, development, and teaching assignments. These qualifications open a window of opportunity to a variety of careers within the private and public sectors. The program includes the production of a PhD thesis, active participation in local and global research networks, PhD courses, teaching, and other forms of knowledge dissemination. The standard duration of the PhD program is three years of full-time studies, which equals 180 ECTS credits.

Qualification requirements

Applicants must hold a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent and must, as a minimum, have submitted a master’s thesis for which they have received pre-approval at the time of application.

The qualifications of applicants with a non-Danish master’s degree will be assessed to determine whether they correspond to those of a Danish master’s degree. For further information, please refer to the website of the Danish Ministry of Education and Research: General assessments for specific countries — English (ufm.dk)

Applicants must have specific theoretical and methodological competences in digital media and communication research. Other things being equal, applicants with previous experience in combining quantitative and qualitative studies of media and communication will be preferred.

Applicants must be fluent in written and spoken academic English. In addition, applicants must be fluent in written and spoken Mandarin. If deemed necessary, the Department may request that applicants document their English and Mandarin proficiency.

For further information about the guidelines for PhD studies at UCPH, please refer to: PhD Programs - Guide to studies and admission – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

For further information about the structure of the PhD programme, please refer to: https://phd.humanities.ku.dk

Applicants are also invited to familiarize themselves with ongoing research at the Faculty of Humanities: Research – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

Equal Opportunity Workplace

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society, and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their personal backgrounds. For more information on the diverse workplace environment at the University and the University’s participation in the HRS4R programme, please see: HR Excellence in Research – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

Application

To be awarded a PhD scholarship the applicant must enroll as a PhD student at the Faculty of Humanities, cf. the rules of the Danish Ministerial order No 1039 of 27 August 2013.  

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online. Click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of this advertisement to apply. The application must be written in English, and must include the following enclosures in PDF or Word format:

• Project abstract (please fill in the “Project abstract” box in the application form. Maximum of 1,200 characters).
  
• Cover letter detailing your motivation and background for applying for this specific PhD scholarship.
  
• Project description (description of content analyses and discourse studies of advertising campaigns and other strategic communication by IoT companies, with reference to the outline of the GREENWATCH project, available from its PI, Professor Klaus Bruhn Jensen, email: kbj@hum.ku.dk.
  
• CV   
  
• Diploma and transcripts of records (bachelor and master’s degree)   
  
• Other information for consideration, e.g., list of publications, documentation of language proficiency, etc.
  

Please note that it is only possible to upload one document per attachment category. If more than one document must be uploaded in the same category, please scan and collect these in one file.

The recruitment process

The following criteria are applied when assessing PhD applications:

• Research qualifications as reflected in the project description and CV 
  
• Qualifications in digital media and communication research. 
  
• Performance (grades obtained) in graduate and post-graduate studies. 
  

After the deadline for applications, the Head of Department considers advice from an appointment aommittee and selects applicants for assessment. All applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted. Next, the Head of Department sets up an expert assessment committee to assess the shortlisted applications. The selected applicants will be informed who is serving on the committee. Applicants will be offered the opportunity to comment on the committee’s assessment of their application before the appointment is announced.

Terms of employment

PhD students are paid a salary in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 32,900 DKK/roughly 4,400 EUR (April 2024-level) plus 17.1% pension. The PhD student has a work obligation of up to 840 hours over the 3-year period without additional pay. The work obligation can include, for instance, teaching and research dissemination. 

International applicant?

The University of Copenhagen offers a variety of services for international scholars and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation, and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: For international researchers at the University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

Contact information

Further information about this position, including an outline of the GREENWATCH project, can be obtained from its PI, Professor Klaus Bruhn Jensen, email: kbj@hum.ku.dk

For further information about the structure and rules of the PhD programme, please email the PhD Administration at Søndre and City Campuses, email: phd@hrsc.ku.dk.

Information about the recruitment process is available from HR South and City Campuses, email: hrsc@hrsc.ku.dk. Please refer to case number: 211-1872/24-2H #1.

The deadline for applications is 15 September 2024 at 23:59 CEST (Central European summer time).

Any applications or additional material submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Link to application system: https://employment.ku.dk/phd/?show=162206