Marie Curie ITN Researcher East European Studies

Job Purpose The School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Glasgow seeks to appoint a Doctoral Researcher in Central & East European Studies as part of the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network INFLUENCE.The successful candidate will undertake doctoral research leading to the award of a PhD while participating in an international programme of advanced research training, professional development, and intersect oral collaboration.

The postholder will contribute to one of the doctoral research projects within the INFLUENCE network examining Russia’s influence strategies in Europe’s Eastern periphery.

The researcher will be expected to conduct independent and collaborative research, engage in international mobility and secondment activities, contribute to academic and policy-oriented outputs, present findings at workshops and conferences, and complete a doctoral thesis within the funding period.

Research Project Exploiting Digital Platforms:
Russia's Influence Strategies in Europe's Eastern Periphery Project Focus This project investigates how Russia exploits global and regional digital platforms to spread strategic narratives and disinformation across the Eastern periphery.

Project Description This project investigates how Russia exploits digital platforms to disseminate strategic narratives, disinformation, and influence operations across Europe's Eastern periphery. The research focuses on both global platforms and regionally significant alternatives, examining the mechanisms through which digital technologies are used to shape public opinion, influence political processes, and advance Russian foreign policy objectives.

The researcher will be expected to conduct high-quality independent research, contribute to project outputs and publications, participate in network training activities, undertake secondments where required, present findings at national and international events, and submit a doctoral thesis.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Undertake high-quality doctoral research related to the approved project.
2. Conduct literature reviews and develop a robust theoretical and conceptual framework.
3. Collect, manage and analyse qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods data.
4. Contribute to the production of academic publications, working papers, policy briefs and other research outputs.
5. Present research findings at internal seminars, international conferences, workshops, and network meetings.
6. Participate fully in all MSCA Doctoral Network training activities.
7. Undertake international and intersect oral secondments required by the project.
8. Collaborate with supervisors, consortium partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
9. Maintain accurate and organised research records.
10. Contribute to departmental research activities and knowledge-exchange initiatives.
11. Engage in personal and professional development activities to strengthen research and transferable skills.
12. Complete a doctoral thesis within the duration of the project.
13. Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Principal Investigator or Head of School.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience Knowledge & Qualifications Essential A1  A Master's degree (or equivalent qualification) in one of the following areas:
Politics, Political Science, Sociology, Area Studies, International Relations, European Studies, Eurasian Studies, Or a closely related discipline.

A2 Demonstrable knowledge of contemporary political, economic, and social developments in Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, or the wider post-Soviet region.

A3 Eligibility to enrol in a PhD programme at the University of Glasgow.

DesirableB1 Knowledge of one or more of the following areas:
Rus…