Assistant Professor in Media and Communication Studies with a specialization in digital and social media

The University of Gothenburg offers a research environment where internationally recognised excellence meets an open and collaborative culture. Here, early-career researchers are given the conditions to grow, build networks, and contribute to research with global relevance.

This position is part of the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment initiative Gothenburg Global Scholars. Learn more about the initiative and the University here: Gothenburg Global Scholars.

The Swedish Research Council will announce an attractive funding opportunity for Assistant Professor with an international background at the end of 2026. The university’s ambition is to nominate strong candidates from this recruitment initiative to the Swedish Research Council. This position is based at the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMG) within the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Gothenburg. It is one of the leading research environments in the Nordic countries in the field of media and communication studies, with particular strengths in areas such as political communication, news media, and journalism.

Subject area

Media and Communication Studies with a specialization in digital and social media.

Subject area description

Media and Communication Studies is a broad and interdisciplinary field that examines the significance of media and communication in society. The field explores how communication is created, disseminated, interpreted, and influences individuals, organizations, and societies, as well as how it is shaped by social, cultural, political, economic, and technological conditions. Research within the field may encompass everything from everyday communication to crisis communication, political communication, strategic communication, and journalism, as well as media such as traditional mass media, social media, alternative media, and digital platforms.

The specialization of this position is in digital and social media, with a focus on their societal role and significance. This entails the study of the internet, digital media, social media, and digital communication, as well as the application of relevant quantitative and qualitative methods—including data-driven and computational methods—to investigate the production, dissemination, and consumption of digital media and digital information. It could apply to any of the ongoing research themes at JMG, for example focusing on online misogyni, the role of digital media in breeding conspiracy thinking, or the role of digital media in processes of democratic erosion.

Research Areas at JMG.

Duties

The duties associated with this position include research, teaching, and engagement with the wider community. The position includes an entitlement to research time corresponding to at least 60% of the appointment.

The successful candidate is expected to conduct research and actively seek external funding for their own research. They are also expected to participate actively in and contribute to the department’s research environment and seminar activities, as well as to engage with the international research community through participation in conferences and publication in international scholarly outlets.

Teaching responsibilities include courses at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Teaching and assessment are conducted in either Swedish or English, depending on the courses involved. The duties also include pedagogical development and the administrative tasks associated with an academic position.

Teaching at the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMG) is campus-based, and staff members are expected to be present on campus in order to contribute to a vibrant and stimulating academic environment.

JMG collaborates with a wide range of external partners for example DEMICOM, Mid Sweden University, Hamrin-stiftelsen, Medier och Demokrati och Tore G. Wärenstams stiftelse, and the position includes participation in the department’s external engagement activities.

Eligibility

Eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor is governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.

Qualification requirements for employment as an Assistant Professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate in subject or has the corresponding research competence. Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or has attained equivalent academic qualifications in Media and Communication Studies, or in a related field with a clear focus on Media and Communication Studies, within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an assistant professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances. The reason, dates, and extent of the absence must be clearly specified in the application and supported by documentation/certificates

The ability to teach in English is a requirement.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for appointment as Assistant Professor are governed by the Higher Education Ordinance and the Appointments Procedure for Teachers at the University of Gothenburg.

We are seeking candidates who have demonstrated the ability to independently initiate, develop, and conduct high-quality research within the subject area of the position.

Assessment will be based primarily on research expertise, secondly on teaching expertise, and thirdly on collaborative and administrative competence.

Research expertise

Research expertise must be demonstrated through independent research characterized by a high degree of ability to formulate research problems, theoretical and methodological awareness, and analytical skill. Research expertise is further demonstrated through scholarly publications and ongoing participation in national and/or international research collaborations.

In the assessment of scholarly merit, particular weight will be given to documented research accomplishments relating to digital and social media (see above). Documented experience in the use of mixed methods, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, is considered meritorious.

In the assessment of scientific expertise, particular emphasis is further placed on high-quality publications with prestigious international publishers and in respected international peer-reviewed journals. The quality, originality, and impact of publications are given greater emphasis than the total number of publications. The ability to obtain external research funding in competition is highly meritorious.  Consideration will also be given to how well the applicant’s research relates to and complements the research and research groups already existing within the department.

Research at JMG.

Teaching expertise

Teaching expertise is demonstrated through documented experience of having planned and implemented teaching in various forms (lectures, seminars, supervision) at the first-cycle, second-cycle and/or doctoral level within the subject area of the position. When assessing teaching expertise, special emphasis is placed on documented teaching work that has contributed to the development of a course or study programme and its instruction and consequently improved the quality. Completion of further training in higher education pedagogy is considered meritorious.

Collaboration with the community at large and Administrative Competence

Expertise in collaboration with the wider community is demonstrated, for example, through the ability to develop existing collaborative relationships or to establish new collaborations between academia and relevant societal stakeholders, as well as through the ability to communicate research findings to the public.

Administrative competence refers to experience of academic leadership, such as coordinating research or educational activities, as well as contributing to the development of the department or faculty.

Overall Assessment

A position as Assistant Professor is a career-development position targeting researchers and teachers who defended their doctoral thesis relatively recently. The position will be offered to the candidate who is assessed to have the best prospects for carrying out the duties required in the position, collaborating and cooperating with other staff, and contributing positively to the development of activities based on an overall assessment of their expertise and development potential.

Extensive experience in academic environments outside Sweden is highly meritorious.

Employment

An appointment as Assistant Professor is a fixed-term career-development position. The purpose of the position is to provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher and to strengthen their scientific and pedagogical qualifications in order to meet the requirements for eligibility for appointment as Senior Lecturer.

The appointment may be extended, but for no more than a total of two years, if additional time is required to fulfil the purpose of the appointment due to sick leave, parental leave, or other special circumstances.

Promotion to Senior Lecturer

An Assistant Professor has the right to be considered for promotion to a permanent position as Associate Senior Lecturer in the same subject area as the assistant professorship, provided that the individual meets the eligibility requirements for such a position and is also deemed suitable following an assessment based on the established assessment criteria for promotion to the position of Associate Senior Lecturer.

To determine whether the applicant has achieved sufficient qualifications for promotion, an assessment will be conducted in accordance with the assessment criteria for employment as an Associate Senior Lecturer applicable at the University of Gothenburg, as set out in the Guidelines for the Employment and Promotion of Academic Staff at the Faculty of Social Sciences (GU 2025/1103). In addition, the following promotion requirements apply:

Research expertise must be demonstrated through high-quality scholarly publications in leading international peer-reviewed journals.

Publications in peer-reviewed books or book chapters are considered meritorious.

The applicant must also have actively applied for external research funding in national and international competitive calls. Success in obtaining such funding carries considerable weight in the assessment. Furthermore, the applicant must have contributed to the scholarly community through activities such as serving as a peer reviewer, acting as an external examiner (faculty opponent) at a doctoral thesis defence, or serving as a member of a doctoral examination committee. The applicant must also demonstrate progression in relation to the qualifications held at the time of appointment, for example by having attained the qualifications required for appointment as a docent.

Teaching expertise must be demonstrated through at least active participation in teaching, experience of course development and different teaching methods, completion of qualifying courses in teaching and learning in higher education equivalent to PIL101–PIL103, and completion of supervisor training equivalent to PIL201, or a decision by the Dean recognising equivalent qualifications.

In assessing an application for promotion, primary emphasis is placed on research qualifications and secondary emphasis on teaching qualifications.

The applicant must also have demonstrated collaboration skills and leadership ability by, for example, participating in collaboration activities with the wider community, demonstrating the ability to lead and organise research projects or other activities, and assuming collegial responsibility within the department, for example through participation in assessment panels or working groups.

With regard to the assessment criterion of suitability, consideration will be given to sound professional judgement, the ability to perform the duties associated with the position, and the ability to collaborate with others and contribute to the development of the department's activities.

The applicant must also fulfil the Swedish language requirement at a minimum of CEFR level B2. Compliance with this requirement must be demonstrated either by passing an approved language test or by a certificate from the Head of Department confirming that a language test is clearly unnecessary.

Moving to Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden, beautifully situated on the west coast. The city is well known for its friendly atmosphere and high quality of life. Choosing a career in a new country is a major step. Gothenburg offers a welcoming environment and strong support for international talent relocating to the region.

Internationally recruited staff are offered a contracted relocation package and tax advisory services (Global Mobility support).

Move to Gothenburg - a guide for international talents

Welcome Services - support for international staff relocating to Gothenburg

Other information

The position of Assistant Professor is a career-development appointment and constitutes a step in an academic career path designed to enable researchers to develop their independence and establish their own research profile, with the right to be promoted to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer. At the University of Gothenburg, Senior Lecturers are also eligible to be assessed for promotion to a permanent position as Full Professor.

To support a healthy work–life balance, we offer academic freedom, flexible working arrangements, and generous annual leave. Employees are also entitled to a range of benefits, including a wellness allowance, supplementary parental benefits, and an occupational pension scheme. For more information about employment benefits at the University of Gothenburg, please visit: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/employment-benefits

If you do not have formal training in academic teaching, you will be given the opportunity to undertake such training as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory.

If you do not have proficiency in Swedish at a minimum of level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), you will be offered language courses as part of your employment. Participation in these courses is mandatory.

Selection process

Eligibility screening of applicants will take place after the application deadline. The application documents of eligible candidates will subsequently be submitted to external reviewers for assessment.

As part of the selection process, in addition to expert assessment and interviews, trial lectures and reference checks may also be conducted.

Interviews are planned to take place during December 2026 and the beginning of January 2027.

Contact information

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Marie Grusell, Head of Department marie.grusell@jmg.gu.se or Jesper Strömbäck, Assistant Head of Department jesper.stromback@jmg.gu.se

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Sofia Hallsten, HR-officer sofia.hallsten@jmg.gu.se

Trade Union Representatives

Information about trade union representatives at the University of Gothenburg is available here.

Application

To apply for this position, please submit your application through the University of Gothenburg's online recruitment portal by clicking the "Apply" button. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application is complete, in accordance with the instructions in this advertisement, and submitted to the University no later than the closing date.

As the applications will be assessed by external experts whose working language is English, applicants are requested to submit all application documents in English.

The application must include:

Curriculum vitae/CV, including a complete list of publications and an account of external research funding received (including amounts).

Research plan. The plan must be clearly linked to the research area of the position and should be suitable for development into at least one competitive research grant application.

Complete electronic copies of up to ten of your most significant research publications.

Electronic copies of teaching materials, such as course syllabi, reading lists, examination assignments, lecture slides and instructions for students (max. 3 supporting documents). Refer to these documents in your account of your teaching merits and qualifications.

Doctoral degree certificate

Other certificates and documents that you wish to submit in support of your application.

Research publications, other written works, CVs and similar documents that are not available in electronic form should be sent to:

Closing date for applications: 30 October 2026

The University of Gothenburg is committed to promoting equal opportunities, equality, and diversity, and values the contributions that a diverse workforce brings to the organisation.

The University applies individual salary setting.

In accordance with the regulations of the Swedish National Archives, the University is required to retain application documents for two years following the appointment decision. If an applicant specifically requests the return of their application documents, they will be returned after the two-year retention period has expired. Otherwise, the documents will be disposed of in accordance with the applicable regulations.

To recruitment agencies and advertising sales representatives: The University of Gothenburg has contracted recruitment advertising services and therefore respectfully declines all direct contact from recruitment and staffing agencies, as well as from advertising sales representatives.

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.