Lugano, Switzerland

Deadline: March 13, 2019

The Institute of Media and Journalism (IMeG) in the Faculty of Communication Sciences at USI (Università della Svizzera italiana) invites applications for fully funded doctoral studies in Lugano, Switzerland, in the areas of

• climate change communications
• digital cultural memory.

Job Description

We offer an opportunity for doctoral research in an international team working in the areas of climate change communications or digital cultural memory. In the field of climate change communication, candidates should have an interest in promotional industries, communication theory and practice and environmental geopolitics. In the field of digital cultural memory, candidates should have interest in digital culture, political and economic dimension of archiving, digital media history, memory in the digital age. Selected candidate/s will pursue their PhD under the supervision of Professor Matthew Hibberd with additional co-supervision from Professor Gabriele Balbi or Professor Theo Mäusli. In addition to involvement in research, any appointee/s will support the Institute of Media and Journalism (IMeG) with its teaching, research and summer school activities and will have the possibility of working with an international network of scholars in the field of media and communications studies.

Candidate’s Profile. Candidates will possess a master degree in communication related to the media studies, social studies of technology, sociology, history, geography and environment. Ideally, candidates will have an international outlook, experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, an academic curiosity for developing our understanding of climate change and digital cultural memory and publishing in high-ranking journals. The ideal candidates will be fluent in English and either Italian and/or German and will become a teaching assistant for Bachelor and Master courses. Candidates will be comfortable organising themselves independently while working at an Institute with multiple theoretical and methodological approaches.

Funding of Doctoral Studies / Residence. Positions are for three years and subject to final university approval. In addition to a fee-waiver for the duration of the three‐year scholarship, a fully-funded PhD award at USI includes an annual student maintenance grant (currently CHF 40.000). PhD scholarships are subject to annual review and successful completion of a progress report. Research activities will be carried out predominantly in Lugano, Switzerland, where the appointees should take residence, but some international travel can be expected.

How to Apply

Please send your application consisting of 1) a detailed CV (including one reference), 2) university grade transcripts and certificates, and 3) a letter of motivation, all to be sent electronically to dr. Eleonora Benecchi, eleonora.benecchi@usi.ch.

Deadline: March 13, 2019 although we welcome applications before that date.

For more information see: https://www.usi.ch/en/job-opportunities-usi