Friedrich Schiller University is a traditional university with a strong research profile rooted in the heart of Germany. As a university covering all disciplines, it offers a wide range of subjects. Its research is focused on the areas Light—Life—Liberty. It is closely networked with non-research institutions, research companies and renowned cultural institutions. With around 17.000 students and more than 10.000 employees, the university plays a major role in shaping Jena’s character as a cosmopolitan and future-oriented city.

In the DFG funded Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio (SFB) 294 "Structural Change of Property", a cooperation between the Universities of Jena und Erfurt, we seek to fill the position of a

PhD student

in the subproject “(Media)Property in the Digital Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere“, located at the University of Jena, Institute for Sociology, at the earliest possible date.

We offer a part-time position (65% of a full-time job, paid in accordance to the collective agreement TV-L 13) offered as a fix-term position until 31th of December 2028.

The project team led by Dr. Sebastian Sevignani focuses on questions of the political-economic disposition of media and property as conditions for political participation in the context of the (digital) structural transformation of the public sphere. In the context of theoretical discussion, we ask about the role of ownership in (critical) theories of the public sphere and empirically examine the effects of large digital companies‘ strategies on different media systems.

Your responsibilities:

• Theory-based analysis of actors of digital capitalism in the context of the current structural transformation of the public sphere
• Organization and implementation of empirical studies to research the strategies of large digital companies and their effects on different media systems (e.g. document analyses, expert interviews, network analyses)
• Work on your own academic qualification project, (doctorate), which is related to the project topic and can integrate its results
• Participation in the activities of the CRC TRR 294 on the structural change of property (e.g. cooperation with other research projects and on cross-cutting topics)

Your profile:

• Successfully completed Master's degree with a focus on sociology or media and communication studies or comparable subjects
• Interest in and knowledge of political economy (e.g. media and communication, the public sphere, digitalization, monopolization) and/or theories of the public sphere
• Willingness and competence to combine empirical studies and theoretical work
• Knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative social research methods (e.g. document analyses, expert interviews, network analyses)
• Willingness to further develop knowledge of empirical social research (e.g. in the context of workshops)
• Good knowledge of English (the working language of the CRC TRR 294)
• Knowledge of another foreign language is desirable

Are you hesitating because you don't meet one or some of our requirements? Please do not hesitate to apply and give us a chance to get to know you.

We offer:

• remuneration according to the provisions of the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states (TV-L) according to pay group 13 including a special annual payment and 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31
• Independent work in an exciting, highly topical project and research context
• the opportunity to complete a doctorate within a comparatively generous period and with intensive supervision
• very good equipment and infrastructure of the Collaborative Research Centre and flexible working hours (flexitime and teleworking if necessary)
• Attractive fringe benefits, e.g. capital formation benefits (VL) and an occupational pension (VBL)

The position is a part-time position (65%, 26 hours/week) and offered as a fix-term position until 31.12.2028.

Further information on the SFB can be found on the following page: https://www.sfb294-eigentum.de/de/

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Are you eager to work for us? Then apply by 26.02.2025 using our online form.