PhD scholarship for project Constructive Journalism: Conceptualization, Implementation, and Evaluation
2775 PhD scholarship for project Constructive Journalism: Conceptualization, Implementation, and Evaluation
The Centre for Journalism, Department of Political Science and Public Management, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, invites applications for a three-year full-time PhD scholarship for the project Constructive Journalism: Conceptualization, Implementation, and Evaluation (COMPLEMENT), with employment starting from 1 September 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.The place of employment will be in Odense.
The project—funded by TrygFonden—examines whether constructive journalism can balance the negativity bias in existing news coverage. It does so by examining how constructive journalism can be conceptualized, how it can be implemented into a highly routinized journalistic practice, and which effects it has on the audience.Thus, the project contributes to the still underdeveloped, but growing research agenda on constructive journalism. The project is led by Professor MSO Morten Skovsgaard, Professor Peter Bro, and Associate Professor Kim Andersen all three from the Centre for Journalism, University of Southern Denmark.
The PhD Student will work closely together with the three senior researchers and another PhD Student on the project but will have a particular focus on (1) how constructive journalism is conceptualized and (2) how it can be implemented into the highly routinized journalistic production at existing news organizations.These questions can be addressed through a mix of different theories and methods, such as literature reviews, interviews, newsroom observations, and action research.
Motivated applications are invited from candidates holding a master’s degree in relevant fields – for instance, journalism studies, communication, political science, or sociology. Applications must include a research proposal of no more than three pages on how to study the following two research questions: 1) How has constructive journalism been conceptualized, and 2) What factors influence the implementation of constructive journalism in Danish newsrooms?The proposal is expected to describe the theoretical, methodological and analytical approach.
Expectations and key responsibilities
The ideal candidate has displayed a high academic level, and has a good grasp of research designs and academic methods.
The candidate is expected to be willing and able to contribute to the Centre for Journalism achieving two strategic goals: 1) To produce original research of high international quality, and 2) to exchange knowledge with relevant societal actors, including news media, the public, and policymakers.See the entire strategy here.
The PhD Student is expected to: (please also consult the Scholarly Qualification Matrix):
- Be curious and have a strong desire to generate new research ideas.
- Be able to work independently and, in consultation with the PhD supervisor, prioritize the different aspects of the PhD plan, including participation in PhD courses, teaching and supervision of undergraduate students.
- Have good interpersonal skills.
- Be interested in engaging with the national and international research community (your supervisor and the department will support you in this), i.e., participate in conferences and present own work.
- Be interested in engaging with relevant societal actors including news media and the public.
- A proficient or near-proficient speaker of Danish, as this will be necessary to communicate directly with journalists, editors etc. in Danish news organizations.
- Prioritize being present and taking part in the daily academic and social environments at the department.
Requirements and program structure
The PhD Student will follow an individual PhD plan including course work, conference participation, and teaching. PhD Students typically spend one semester at another research institution, often abroad, but alternative arrangements can be made in special cases.The scholarship carries a monthly salary including pension plus office facilities and financial support for conference travels and research visits abroad.
For further information about this project, please contact PI Morten Skovsgaard tel. 6550 2114, e-mail skh@journalism.sdu.dk
For further information about the Centre for Journalism, please contact Head of Centre for Journalism Peter Bro tel. +45 6550 2801, e-mail ppe@journalism.sdu.dk.
For further information about the PhD program, please contact PhD coordinator, Professor Arjen van Dalen, tel. +45 6550 4417, e-mail avd@sam.sdu.dk.
For further information about the Department of Political Science and Public Management, please contact Head of Department Signe Pihl-Thingvad tel. +45 6550 2281, e-mail ssp@sam.sdu.dk.
Application
An application must include:
- Application form.
- A motivated application.
- A maximum three-page research proposal (see above).
- A detailed CV (max 2 pages).
- A copy of your master's degree certificate including all examination results.
- Information on experience with teaching, dissemination, or scientific publication, if applicable.
All non-Danish documents must be translated into English, and all documents must be in pdf format, no more than 5 MB per file.
Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.
Applicants are encouraged to read the information "How to apply" before applying. If you experience technical problems when uploading the application, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk.
UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application should be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, Curriculum Vitae should be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents should be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’.
The application deadline is June 2, 2025, at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)
Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now" on our website
Assessment and selection process
Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. The committee may request additional information, and if so, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary material.Incomplete applications may be rejected without any substantial evaluation.
When the assessment committee has submitted its report, applicants will receive the part of the assessment that concerns themselves. The assessment report will subsequently be forwarded to the Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Management, who will form an appointment committee.Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation by the appointment committee.
Based on information from the entire recruitment process, the Head of Department determines which applicants will be offered a position.
Conditions of employment
Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position. Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment of a PhD fellow can only take place after the PhD School under the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences has approved the candidate for admission.
Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described herein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).Further information about salary and conditions of employment.
For a detailed description of the entry criteria and a job description for a PhD fellowship, as well as a descriptions of the assessment and hiring processes at the Department of Political Science and Public Management, please consult the department’s Scholarly Qualification Matrix – REEAD.
The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organiser”.
SDU recommends that international applicants take the time to visit Work in Denmark, where there is information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.
About the Department of Political Science and Public Management
The Department of Political Science and Public Management is part of the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences and currently has approximately 90 permanent employees as well as several part-time employees. Currently, the department attracts around 2,500 students in its various full-time bachelor and master programs as well as part-time professional master programs.The department is located on three of the University of Southern Denmark’s campuses in Odense, Sønderborg and Esbjerg, respectively.
The department is organized around three research sections in Public Administration, Welfare and Politics, International and Regional Politics, and Journalism as well as several cross-disciplinary research centres and research groups.
The department believes in fostering a stimulating and inspiring environment for both staff members and students. Therefore, the department’s ambition is to recruit, develop, and retain talented scholars committed to both academic and educational excellence and departmental development.Furthermore, the department wishes the staff to reflect the diversity of society and, thus, welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
For a detailed description of the Department of Political Science and Public Management’s profile and activities, please visit the department's website.
About SDU
The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future.We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people.
The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.
Position reference number: 2775
Please note in your application that you found the job at Jobindex