Faculty of Communication Sciences, IMCA
The Faculty of Communication Sciences at USI (Università della Svizzera italiana) invites for
applications for a fully funded position for earning a PhD in Switzerland, Lugano in the
realm of a project on “smart city” initiatives.
Job Description .We offer an opportunity for a person keen to conduct his/her doctoral
research in an international team working at the intersection between narratives of
technology innovation management and the organizing of urban spaces. In addition to
his/her involvement in research, the person will support the institute in its teaching
engagements and other academic activities. The person will have the possibility to work with
an international network of scholars in the field and to become a credible member of the
academic communities of organization and communication scholars.
Candidate’s Profile. The ideal candidate will possess a master degree in business,
communication, disciplines related to the social studies of technology, sociology, or
geography. Ideally, he/she has an international orientation, some experience in qualitative
research methods (e.g. ethnography), and an academic curiosity for developing our
understanding of organizational phenomena and publishing in English in high-ranked
journals.
The ideal candidate is proficient in English, knows how to take ownership of a project and is
comfortable with both organising him/herself independently and working in an
interdisciplinary team working with multiple theoretical and methodological approaches.
Funding of Doctoral Studies / Residence. The position is fully funded for a minimum of
three years, during which the appointee will undertake his/her doctoral studies. The research
activities will be carried out predominantly in Lugano, Switzerland, where the candidate
should take residence, but be prepared to international travel.
Contact. Please send your application, incl. detailed CV (with 2 references), university grade
transcripts, and a letter of motivation electronically to Jeanne Mengis, mengisj@usi.ch.
Deadline. The call is open until the position is filled, but envisaged to be appointed as soon
as possible.