Institute of Communication and Public Policy (ICPP)
PhD student and research assistant position at the Institute of Communication and Public Policy, Faculty of Communication, Culture at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). USI is a young and lively university, a hub of opportunity open to the world, where students receive quality interdisciplinary education, and researchers can pursue their initiatives.
The Institute of Communication and Public Policy (ICPP) investigates challenges facing institutions and the public sector, particularly in communication and governance.
The Institute invites applications for a fully funded Ph.D. position in Intercultural Communication and Migration for research in the project entitled “Relational integration in place: affect and power in everyday practices,” funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The candidate will join the research team of Prof. Jolanta Drzewiecka at the ICPP.
The project
The project “Relational integration in place: affect and power in everyday practices” advances understanding of migrant integration as an affective process of negotiating difference and power in social relations and everyday practices in neighborhoods. It is interdisciplinary, informed by scholarship in communication, discourse studies, cultural geography, and cultural studies, employing qualitative ethnographic and affective methods. Fieldwork will be conducted in Ticino, Switzerland.
The Ph.D. Position
The doctoral student will be enrolled in the Doctoral Program of the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society. Upon successful completion, the doctoral student will earn a PhD in Communication Sciences. The student will design and carry out their PhD dissertation under the guidance of Prof. Jolanta Drzewiecka.
During the doctoral studies, the student will interact with an international network of scholars, present findings at international conferences, and publish results in high-ranked academic journals. They will also collaborate in the research and educational activities of the Institute.
Candidates’ profile
Ideal candidates should satisfy the following requirements:
1. A master’s degree in communication, ethnic studies, cultural studies, anthropology, sociology, or related disciplines.
2. Knowledge of qualitative methods, and ability and willingness to conduct fieldwork.
3. High research potential.
4. Excellent English academic writing skills.
5. Fluency in Italian.
Ideal candidates will take ownership of the project, be team players, independent, flexible, entrepreneurial, and dynamic, and enjoy working in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment.
Duties will involve:
1. Contributing to the overall project design and the design of interview guides, and recruitment of interviewees.
2. Conducting interviews and participant observations.
3. Writing and presenting conference papers and journal articles.
4. Organizing a conference and other administrative tasks.
5. Teaching assistance.
Contract terms
Admission to the Ph.D. program is competitive, based on the candidate’s background, interests, attitude, and potential for academic achievement. Successful enrolment in the Ph.D. program and the position as a doctoral researcher are not compatible with additional simultaneous professional activities. The position is financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Availability to travel within Switzerland and abroad for collaboration and research is required. Starting date is February 1, 2025 (at the earliest), but the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
The Application
Applications may be submitted upon acceptance of the Applicant Personal Data Processing Notice. In the online form, candidates must declare that they have read and understood the privacy policy.
Applications should contain:
1. A letter describing research interests and motivation to apply.
2. A complete CV.
3. Copies of relevant diplomas, certificates, and a full transcript of records demonstrating eligibility for doctoral studies in Communication.
4. An electronic version of a research work (Master thesis or a paper) in English.
A support letter from the Master thesis supervisor (or another Professor who knows the candidate well) is welcome.
Applications must be submitted ONLINE by filling out the form accessible through the provided link. Requests for further information can be directed to Prof. Dr. Jolanta Drzewiecka at jolanta.drzewiecka@usi.ch.
Applications received before December 15, 2024, will be prioritized, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
USI strives to be an equal opportunity and family-friendly employer, responsive to the needs of dual career couples, and guarantees equal opportunities for female and male researchers. USI particularly encourages applications from women and individuals from underrepresented groups.
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