Doctoral Studentship Employment in Library and Information Science - Swedish electricity

The Swedish School of Library and Information Science at the University of Borås is the largest research and education institution in Sweden in the field of Library and Information Science. It offers educational programmes at all levels: Bachelor's, Master's, and doctoral.

Library and information science includes studies of the production, organisation, storage, transmission and use of information in its material forms (documents) as well as the institutions, such as libraries, where this takes place. The subject also includes cultural, societal, and technical prerequisites for these activities, processes, and institutions, which depending on the purpose and content can be called information provision or cultural mediation. Library and information science is connected to other disciplines in the social sciences, humanities, and technology. We are now seeking a doctoral student in Library and Information Science. Please submit your application by May 6!

Research at the department is mainly organised through a number of research groups. Read more about our research environment at: Library and Information Science  

The department also has the Centre for Cultural Policy Research (KPC), the Centre for Inclusion Research (INCLUDE), and the Data as Impact Lab. The Swedish School of Library and Information Science has about 700 students and about 15 doctoral students, as well as about 70 employees, including three professors and ten associate professors.

The department is a dynamic and international work environment with well-developed collaboration with Swedish, Nordic, and European universities. The department is a member of the global organisation iSchools, and active in the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T). With the support of Sida and the Swedish Institute, education and development work is carried out in several countries. Since 2023, the Swedish School of Library and Information Science has been coordinating the research school The Transformation of Reading and Source Criticism in Digital Cultures, supported by the Swedish Research Council.

The Swedish School of Library and Information Science is part of the Faculty of Librarianship, Information, Education and IT at the University of Borås, which in addition to Library and Information Science also conducts research and education in informatics and education.

The employment as a doctoral student involves one’s own doctoral education within the framework of the project "Swedish Electricity - Knowledge and Communication on Preparedness, Nationalism and Information Crisis: How history, nationalist narratives, and digital platforms shape society’s energy transition". The position comprises full-time employment for four years in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance. In addition to the work in the project, the doctoral student will participate in the courses and seminar activities prescribed in the general syllabus for the doctoral education programme in Library and Information Science. 

Doctoral education programme: Library and Information Science

Doctoral education at the University of Borås

This doctoral student position is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency within the framework of the research programmes Human, Energy Systems and Society (MESAM) and Future Electrical Systems. The doctoral project is to be formulated within the framework of the following project description: The project "Swedish Electricity - Knowledge and Communication on Preparedness, Nationalism and Information Crisis: How history, nationalist narratives, and digital platforms shape society’s energy transition" is an interdisciplinary study of how the electricity system and arguments about energy transition are shaped by historical and contemporary conceptions of Sweden as a nation. The aim is to create better conditions for the transition to a fossil-free energy system by creating an understanding of how nationalistic beliefs can both undermine and enable the energy transition. The overarching research question is: In what ways do arguments about the electricity system interact with notions of Sweden as a nation, and how does this change or establish power relations and conditions for energy transition, societal preparedness, and communication?

The project includes three empirical work packages (WP1-3). The doctoral project will be carried out within work package 3 where interest is directed towards Big Tech as an infrastructural and geopolitical actor with influence over the conditions for public communication and democracy. AP3 examines how nationalistic narratives about energy transition are spread in a global media landscape controlled by the tech giants' digital platforms. On platforms governed by the logic of the attention economy, scientific evidence is mixed together with personal anecdotes, AI-generated content, and political goals. This configuration reshapes what counts as evidence and challenges established views on knowledge production, democratic values, and citizens' opportunities for participation and source critical review. The research question for the work package is: How is public communication about the Swedish energy transition shaped on algorithm-driven platforms in the meeting between globalised nationalist narratives, local events and geopolitical tensions?

The doctoral student will develop an independent sub-project with the aim of increasing the understanding of how information infrastructures and perceptions of the nation affect Sweden's energy transition. 

The project is a collaboration between the University of Borås, the University of Gothenburg, and Lund University, and as the project is a joint initiative between these three universities, some travel within Sweden may occur. During their education, the doctoral student has the opportunity to participate in activities (courses, workshops, etc.) arranged by the Centre for Preparedness and Resilience at Lund University (LUPREP).

Swedish Electricity - University of Borås

The position requires that the applicant meets the requirements for admission to the doctoral programme in Library and Information Science at the University of Borås. In order to be admitted to the educational programme, it is required that the applicant fulfils criteria for basic and specific entry requirements in accordance with what is stated in the Higher Education Ordinance Ch. 7.

General syllabus for Library and Information Science (Reg. no. 310-24)

Very good knowledge of Swedish and English is a requirement.

Selection among applicants must, according to the Higher Education Ordinance Ch. 7, take place with regard to their ability to assimilate the education. The ability to benefit from the programme is assessed based on previous study results and other qualifications, the quality of the proposed thesis project and relevance to the project "Swedish Electricity - Knowledge and Communication on Preparedness, Nationalism and Information Crisis: How history, nationalist narratives, and digital platforms shape society’s energy transition", the ability to carry out the project in the time available, the applicant's autonomy and ability to express themself effectively and clearly in writing.

The position is based at the University of Borås and active participation in the university's research environment is expected. The University of Borås seeks to have an even gender and age balance and promotes ethnic and cultural diversity.

Type of employment: The doctoral studentship employment position refers to an employment that corresponds to four years of full-time studies and is expected to lead to a doctoral degree.
Start date: 1 October 2026 or as agreed upon
Location: Borås, Sweden
Reference number: PA2026/40

A new appointment as a doctoral student is valid for a maximum of one year, after which the appointment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. Provisions regarding employment as a doctoral student can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.

How to apply

Welcome with your complete application including reference number and attachments via our recruitment system by 6 May (Swedish time). After the application deadline, no additions can be made electronically.

How to apply – create an account in ReachMee

A complete application should include the following electronic documents:

For information on how the specific entry requirements in English can be met, visit: English language requirements .

If an applicant’s degree is from a higher education institution outside Sweden, or which has not been verified by a Swedish authority before, it is important that to attach the diploma and grades in order to facilitate assessment.

The University of Borås is a governmental authority, which means that you receive particular benefits, generous holiday leave, and a favourable occupational pension.

Benefits for employees

Work at UB

Contact those below if you want to know more:

about the employment, Karen Nowé Hedvall , recruiting manager.

about the research school, Ola Pilerot , Director of Studies.

about the project “Swedish Electricity”, Jutta Haider , Project Leader

Saco-S (union contact): Selma Music, 033-435 40 00.
OFR/S (union contact): can be reached by email: stvidhb@hb.se .

We decline all direct contact with staffing and recruitment companies as well as sellers of recruitment advertisements.

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