[Commlist] two PhD student positions at Institute of Marketing and Communication Management

The Institute of Marketing and Communication Management (IMCA) at USI – 
Università della Svizzera italiana, offers

Two PhD student positions:

·*Research Fellow in an SNSF Project on Organizational Attention*

·*Research & Teaching Assistant in Organizational Communication*

**

*Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)*is a young and lively 
university, a hub of opportunity open to the world where students are 
offered a quality interdisciplinary education in which they can be fully 
engaged and take center stage, and where our researchers can count on 
having the space to freely take initiative and pursue their projects. 
Established in 1996, USI is in constant evolution, always taking on new 
challenges while remaining true to its three guiding principles: 
quality, openness and responsibility.

The *Institute of Marketing and Communication Management (IMCA*, 
Istituto di Marketing e Comunicazione Aziendale*)* adds to the 
discipline of management by addressing how communication processes 
contribute to the organizing of institutions and markets. It is active 
in various fields of communication management (e.g. organizational 
communication, corporate communication) and marketing (e.g. branding, 
consumer culture theory, strategic marketing). IMCA’s communicative and 
interdisciplinary approach has allowed the Institute to develop a 
relational, processual, and cultural reading of organizations, business 
networks, communities of stakeholders and consumers. IMCA distinguishes 
itself for its focus on qualitative methodologies, in particular case 
studies, ethnographies, and visual analysis.

The Institute has currently open two full time PhD positions (4 years) 
for which it invites applications.

·*Research assistant for an research project on organizational 
attention* funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) under 
the joint supervision of profs. Jeanne Mengis 
<https://search.usi.ch/en/people/a62885165eb5f80ae7059eaefbe010ac/mengis-jeanne> 
(USI) and Davide Nicolini 
<https://www.wbs.ac.uk/about/person/davide-nicolini/> from Warwick 
Business School, UK (for a brief description of the project, see: 
https://search.usi.ch/en/projects/2522/a-practice-theoretical-account-of-organizational-attention 
<https://search.usi.ch/en/projects/2522/a-practice-theoretical-account-of-organizational-attention>). 
The successful candidate will be able to design part of the project as 
his/her PhD, carry out an ethnographic research in two organizations 
operating in security and intelligence industries, present emergent 
findings at international conferences, and publish in academic journals. 
During the four years of the project, the person will have the unique 
opportunity to collaborate with a research team combining scholars from 
USI (Switzerland) and Warwick Business School (UK) and to become a 
credible member of the academic community of organization and management 
scholars. The research activities will be carried out predominantly in 
Switzerland (both in Ticino and in the German part of Switzerland), 
where the candidate should take residence near Lugano, but can involve 
also a research stay at Warwick Business School.

·*Research and teaching assistant *under the supervision of prof. Jeanne 
Mengis (USI). The successful candidate will be able to design and carry 
out his/her PhD project within the broader research interests of his/her 
supervisor such as organizational space, materiality and affect in 
organizational processes, the digital mediation of new forms of work, 
visual methodologies (e.g. video-based research), or developing a 
practice-theoretical and communication sensitive perspective to 
interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge work and innovation. During 
the four years of the doctoral studies, the person will have the unique 
opportunity to collaborate within an international research team, 
conduct an ethnographic study within an organizational context of 
his/her own choice, and present emerging findings at international 
conferences and high-ranked academic journals. A mobility period outside 
of Switzerland is possible during the duration of the PhD.

The Ph.D. Positions

The doctoral students will be enrolled in the Doctoral Program of the 
Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society 
(https://www.com.usi.ch/en/study-communication/phd-doctoral-studies/phd-communication-sciences). 
The doctoral students will work under the scientific supervision of 
Prof. Jeanne Mengis 
(https://search.usi.ch/en/people/a62885165eb5f80ae7059eaefbe010ac/mengis-jeanne). 
The successful candidates will be offered the possibility to work in a 
dynamic research team and in a multidisciplinary and international 
scientific environment.

The PhD candidates will collaborate in the development of the 
institute’s research agenda. He or she will have the task of setting up 
a collection of data for his or her dissertation, while at the same time 
participating in a variety of tasks related to the research streams in 
which he/she is involved.

On the teaching side, he/she will work as teaching assistant in courses 
at either bachelor or master level, helping in the preparation of 
teaching materials and tutoring students.

The PhD candidate is also asked to present papers at scientific 
conferences, and produce publications for scientific journals.

Candidates’ profile

Ideal candidates for both positions should satisfy the following 
requirements:

·A Master in business, communication, sociology, anthropology, or 
related disciplines;

·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;

·Be proficient in English and master another national language of 
Switzerland (ideally Italian or German);

·Motivation to engage in the elaboration of a PhD dissertation and take 
ownership of a research project. Ability to work in team and autonomy in 
ideating, planning and carrying out qualitative research. Interest for 
teaching and tutoring students and availability to collaborate with 
colleagues (engage in scientific dialogue, listen and think critically) 
are required;

·High personal interest in understanding organizational phenomena 
through immersive, qualitative (i.e. ethnographic methods) research.

Contract terms

Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly competitive. Admission 
decisions are based on the candidate’s background, interests, attitude 
and potential for academic achievement. Successful enrolment in the 
Ph.D. program and the position as doctoral researcher are not compatible 
with a further professional activity.  The successful candidates will 
work as research assistants at the Institute of Marketing and 
Communication Management (IMCA), and will have the possibility to 
interact with an international network of collaborators.

Workplace is USI Università della Svizzera italiana, located in Lugano, 
Switzerland. Availability to travel to other parts of Switzerland and 
abroad (for purposes of collaboration and research) is required.

Starting date is 1 September 2022. However, the position will be kept 
open until a suitable candidate has been found.

The Application

Applications should contain:

(1) a letter in which the applicant describes his/her research interests 
and the motivation to apply. The letter should lay out the links between 
his/her academic and professional preparation and own interests and the 
topic of the research project and/or the research areas of Prof. Mengis;

(2) a complete CV;

(3) copies of relevant diplomas, certificates as well as the full 
transcript of records that prove the candidates’ eligibility for 
doctoral studies in communication studies,

(4) an electronic version of a research work (Master thesis or other 
scientific publication).

The latter must be accompanied by a short summary in English (1 page 
maximum). A support letter written by the Master thesis supervisor (or 
another Professor who knows the candidate well) is equally welcome.

Please send your application incl. detailed CV (with 2 references), 
university grade transcripts, and a letter of motivation electronically 
to Jeanne Mengis, (jeanne.mengis /at/ usi.ch) <mailto:(jeanne.mengis /at/ usi.ch)>

Applications received before 31.07.2022 will be given priority. However, 
applications will be received until the position is filled.

As an institution that values diversity, USI particularly encourages 
applications from women and from all individuals from underrepresented 
groups.

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