Vrije Universiteit Brussel
12 Fully Funded PhD Candidate positions in RePIM MSCA Doctoral Network
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Sauk Trail Beach, Wisconsin, United States
Organisation/Company Vrije Universiteit Brussel Department imec-SMIT Research Field Communication sciences » Media studies Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Belgium Application Deadline 31 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 May 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101227216 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description RePIM – Revisioning Public Interest Media – is a four-year Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network dedicated to reimagining how Public Interest Media can remain relevant, sustainable, and impactful in a rapidly changing, data-driven and platform-dominated environment.
The network unites leading European universities, Public Interest Media organisations, and industry partners to train
12 Doctoral Candidates (DCs)
working across media content innovation, infrastructure transformation, organisational change, audience analysis, and policy development. RePIM offers an interdisciplinary, international, and cross-sectoral training environment, including secondments, summer/winter schools, scenario-building workshops, and close collaboration with non-academic partners.
We are now recruiting 12 fully funded PhD researchers, each employed for 36 or 48 months (project-dependent) at one of the participating universities across Europe.
All positions are full-time, fully funded according to Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network regulations, including living allowance, mobility allowance, and, when applicable, family allowance.
Open PhD Positions (12 Doctoral Candidates)
Applicants may apply for
up to three positions
and must clearly specify their first choice.
You hold a
Master’s degree
in a relevant field of communication science or a related discipline in the social sciences;
You are motivated to pursue a
doctoral degree
through an individual research project;
You demonstrate a
strong academic track record;
You have a
solid scientific background , possibly with prior relevant research experience;
You are proficient in written and spoken
English;
You are open to
international mobility , in line with the MSCA-DN framework, and are willing to relocate to the host university’s country, as well as attend international trainings, internships, and academic exchanges.
Specific Requirements To be eligible, applicants must:
Not already hold a doctoral degree.
Not have resided or carried out their main activity
(work, studies) in the
host university country for more than 12 months in the 36 months
before the recruitment date (MSCA mobility rule).
Please refer to the RePIM website for project-specific requirements.
Languages: ENGLISH Level Excellent
Research Field: Communication sciences, Computer science, Sociology, Management sciences, Cultural studies, Political sciences
Additional Information
Employment at a leading European university
with full social security coverage
A competitive salary in accordance with the MSCA Call2025 regulations for Doctoral Researchers, paid from the relevant monthly gross allowances: living allowance, mobility allowance, family allowance (only if applicable)
International secondments
at partner universities
Paid
internships
at relevant media organisations
A comprehensive training programme including
three Summer Schools
(Brussels, Copenhagen, Salzburg),
three Winter Seminars
(online), and
cross-sector training
in research skills, data management, ethics, policy, management and leadership
A final
RePIM Scenario-Building Symposium & Career Days
in Brussels
Close supervision by world-leading academics and Public Interest Media experts
A vibrant interdisciplinary research community spanning content, infrastructure, organisation, audiences and policy.
Eligibility Criteria
Fellow definition:
All researchers recruited in the Doctoral Network must be Early-Stage Researchers, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree, nor already be involved in obtaining one at the date of the recruitment (unless you are willing to forego that position and start a new trajectory in RePIM).
International mobility:
Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activities (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting host university for more than 12 months in the three years preceding the recruitment date.
English language proficiency:
Proficiency in written and spoken English is a requirement for enrolling in a PhD programme at the host universities.
Please refer to the RePIM website for additional project-specific requirements.
Selection Process You can indicate your preference for a maximum of three RePIM PhD positions, clearly indicating your primary topic of preference, followed by your second and third choices.
Please apply
before 31 January 2026
by submitting the following documents:
Certificate of your master’s degree
or equivalent
Transcripts of records for your Master’s degree
A one-page
motivation letter
indicating why you are applying for this position. If you are interested in other RePIM positions, please clearly indicate them as your second and third choices, adding a half-page motivation for each.
Curriculum vitae (CV) . If applicable, this should also include a list of all publications and/or other documented research activities.
Proof of
English proficiency
(for non-native speakers). This can include a language certificate, a higher education diploma stating English was the language of instruction, proof of educational or professional activity in English.
A one-page
reflection
on how you would approach this research in terms of questions and methods,
the use of your own background and skills,
the societal and scientific relevance of the topic.
Additional documentation you are encouraged to send with your application, if available:
If the diploma(s) or transcript of records are not in English you can add a translation by a sworn translator.
Other relevant certificates or transcripts (e.g., courses completed at the PhD level).
If the issuing authority of grades and degrees does not use the ECTS grading scale, include an official description of the grading scale used.
A test score to support your language proficiency, which can include TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Cambridge English, or ITACE.
Application process:
Step 1: initial selection based on application file
Step 2: first round of interviews with long‑listed candidates (est. February–March 2026)
Step 3: second round of interviews with short‑listed candidates (March 2026)
Starting date: est. 1 May 2026.
Additional Comments Please refer to our website for all specific details of the 12 positions available in the Doctoral Network.
Only applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be considered.
Available Positions by Institution
Aalborg University – Department of Electronic Systems, Digital Transformations Group, Denmark, Copenhagen
Paris‑Lodron University Salzburg – Communication Studies Department, Austria, Salzburg
Charles University – Department of Film Studies, Czech Republic, Prague
University of Stavanger – Department of Media and Social Sciences, Norway, Stavanger
University of Warsaw – Faculty of Journalism, Information and Book Studies, Poland, Warsaw
Tallinn University – Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, Estonia, Tallinn
University of Zurich – Media & Internet Governance Group, Switzerland, Zurich
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Offer Description RePIM – Revisioning Public Interest Media – is a four-year Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network dedicated to reimagining how Public Interest Media can remain relevant, sustainable, and impactful in a rapidly changing, data-driven and platform-dominated environment.
The network unites leading European universities, Public Interest Media organisations, and industry partners to train
12 Doctoral Candidates (DCs)
working across media content innovation, infrastructure transformation, organisational change, audience analysis, and policy development. RePIM offers an interdisciplinary, international, and cross-sectoral training environment, including secondments, summer/winter schools, scenario-building workshops, and close collaboration with non-academic partners.
We are now recruiting 12 fully funded PhD researchers, each employed for 36 or 48 months (project-dependent) at one of the participating universities across Europe.
All positions are full-time, fully funded according to Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network regulations, including living allowance, mobility allowance, and, when applicable, family allowance.
Open PhD Positions (12 Doctoral Candidates)
Applicants may apply for
up to three positions
and must clearly specify their first choice.
You hold a
Master’s degree
in a relevant field of communication science or a related discipline in the social sciences;
You are motivated to pursue a
doctoral degree
through an individual research project;
You demonstrate a
strong academic track record;
You have a
solid scientific background , possibly with prior relevant research experience;
You are proficient in written and spoken
English;
You are open to
international mobility , in line with the MSCA-DN framework, and are willing to relocate to the host university’s country, as well as attend international trainings, internships, and academic exchanges.
Specific Requirements To be eligible, applicants must:
Not already hold a doctoral degree.
Not have resided or carried out their main activity
(work, studies) in the
host university country for more than 12 months in the 36 months
before the recruitment date (MSCA mobility rule).
Please refer to the RePIM website for project-specific requirements.
Languages: ENGLISH Level Excellent
Research Field: Communication sciences, Computer science, Sociology, Management sciences, Cultural studies, Political sciences
Additional Information
Employment at a leading European university
with full social security coverage
A competitive salary in accordance with the MSCA Call2025 regulations for Doctoral Researchers, paid from the relevant monthly gross allowances: living allowance, mobility allowance, family allowance (only if applicable)
International secondments
at partner universities
Paid
internships
at relevant media organisations
A comprehensive training programme including
three Summer Schools
(Brussels, Copenhagen, Salzburg),
three Winter Seminars
(online), and
cross-sector training
in research skills, data management, ethics, policy, management and leadership
A final
RePIM Scenario-Building Symposium & Career Days
in Brussels
Close supervision by world-leading academics and Public Interest Media experts
A vibrant interdisciplinary research community spanning content, infrastructure, organisation, audiences and policy.
Eligibility Criteria
Fellow definition:
All researchers recruited in the Doctoral Network must be Early-Stage Researchers, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree, nor already be involved in obtaining one at the date of the recruitment (unless you are willing to forego that position and start a new trajectory in RePIM).
International mobility:
Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activities (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting host university for more than 12 months in the three years preceding the recruitment date.
English language proficiency:
Proficiency in written and spoken English is a requirement for enrolling in a PhD programme at the host universities.
Please refer to the RePIM website for additional project-specific requirements.
Selection Process You can indicate your preference for a maximum of three RePIM PhD positions, clearly indicating your primary topic of preference, followed by your second and third choices.
Please apply
before 31 January 2026
by submitting the following documents:
Certificate of your master’s degree
or equivalent
Transcripts of records for your Master’s degree
A one-page
motivation letter
indicating why you are applying for this position. If you are interested in other RePIM positions, please clearly indicate them as your second and third choices, adding a half-page motivation for each.
Curriculum vitae (CV) . If applicable, this should also include a list of all publications and/or other documented research activities.
Proof of
English proficiency
(for non-native speakers). This can include a language certificate, a higher education diploma stating English was the language of instruction, proof of educational or professional activity in English.
A one-page
reflection
on how you would approach this research in terms of questions and methods,
the use of your own background and skills,
the societal and scientific relevance of the topic.
Additional documentation you are encouraged to send with your application, if available:
If the diploma(s) or transcript of records are not in English you can add a translation by a sworn translator.
Other relevant certificates or transcripts (e.g., courses completed at the PhD level).
If the issuing authority of grades and degrees does not use the ECTS grading scale, include an official description of the grading scale used.
A test score to support your language proficiency, which can include TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Cambridge English, or ITACE.
Application process:
Step 1: initial selection based on application file
Step 2: first round of interviews with long‑listed candidates (est. February–March 2026)
Step 3: second round of interviews with short‑listed candidates (March 2026)
Starting date: est. 1 May 2026.
Additional Comments Please refer to our website for all specific details of the 12 positions available in the Doctoral Network.
Only applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be considered.
Available Positions by Institution
Aalborg University – Department of Electronic Systems, Digital Transformations Group, Denmark, Copenhagen
Paris‑Lodron University Salzburg – Communication Studies Department, Austria, Salzburg
Charles University – Department of Film Studies, Czech Republic, Prague
University of Stavanger – Department of Media and Social Sciences, Norway, Stavanger
University of Warsaw – Faculty of Journalism, Information and Book Studies, Poland, Warsaw
Tallinn University – Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, Estonia, Tallinn
University of Zurich – Media & Internet Governance Group, Switzerland, Zurich
#J-18808-Ljbffr