Doctoral Researcher (MSCA), Exploiting Migration to Influence and Destabilise Societies

Tiivistelmä työpaikkailmoituksesta: This is a full-time, 36-month MSCA-funded doctoral researcher position at the University of Helsinki within the INFLUENCE Doctoral Network to study how Russia exploits migration to destabilise and influence societies in Europe’s eastern periphery, starting 1 October 2027. The position is fully funded under an EU MSCA contract with a monthly living allowance of €3,639.85 before taxes, a monthly mobility allowance of €546.15 before taxes, and a conditional monthly family allowance of €507.69 before taxes, with salary, pension and employment terms in line with MSCA rules. The project combines discourse analysis, media monitoring and case studies to assess migration narratives, and offers joint international supervision, mandatory intersectoral secondments, research visits, advanced methodological training and engagement with policy stakeholders. Applicants must hold a relevant Master’s degree (no doctoral degree awarded), comply with MSCA mobility rules, have excellent English (knowledge of Russian or regional languages is an advantage), and must apply by 15 December 2026 with a cover letter, research proposal, CV and transcripts via the University of Helsinki recruitment system. Tämä tiivistelmä on luotu tekoälyn avulla. MSCA Doctoral Network INFLUENCE “Legacies, Interdependencies, Power: Russian Influences in the European Periphery” invites applications for the position of DOCTORAL RESEARCHER, Exploiting Migration to Influence and Destabilise Societies in Europe’s Eastern Periphery for a full-time position for three years from October 2027. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks programme of Horizon Europe, INFLUENCE brings together 5 universities across Europe to train a new generation of scholars and practitioners working on the study of Russian influence in Europe. About INFLUENCE Russian influence in Europe is frequently discussed in public debate, yet its mechanisms remain poorly understood. Investigating influence through the dimensions of Legacies, Interdependencies and Power, the Doctoral Network combines expertise from political science, international relations, area studies, sociology, history, media studies, security studies and political economy. Through interdisciplinary research, advanced methodological training and engagement with policy stakeholders, INFLUENCE seeks to advance scholarly and policy understanding of Russian influence in contemporary Europe. Partner Institutions: Vilnius University (Lithuania); University of Glasgow (United Kingdom); University of Helsinki (Finland); University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina); University of Warsaw (Poland). Doctoral candidates will benefit from joint supervision, intersectoral secondments, strong transferable skills development, and a bridge between academic research and policy practice. Secondments for at least 6 months are integral component of the INFLUENCE Doctoral Programme with mandatory research stays at academic and non-academic partner institutions. Position at the University of Helsinki: Exploiting Migration to Influence and Destabilise Societies in Europe’s Eastern Periphery Description: This project examines how Russia exploits societal divisions over migration as part of its broader strategy to destabilise and influence European societies. Russian state-controlled media and social media platforms have been instrumental in disseminating conflicting narratives, accusing the West of both Western-centric colonialism and overly liberal migration policies. These narratives are not only targeted at Russian-speaking populations through Russian-language media but are also circulated across Europe through social media accounts, bots, and fake news sites in various European languages. This project will analyse how these narratives are constructed, disseminated, and adjusted to exploit specific societal vulnerabilities to fuel polarisation, undermine social cohesion, and erode trust in democratic institutions. By combining discourse analysis and media monitoring with case studies of significant migration-related events, the research will assess how migration narratives are tailored to specific European contexts and their role in creating political fragmentation and fostering extremist ideologies. Additionally, the project will evaluate the interplay between domestic migration policies in European states and the narratives promoted by Russia, highlighting vulnerabilities that facilitate external interference. What We Offer 36‑month full-time EU MSCA contract and fully funded doctoral position Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the requirements from the European Commission related to the MSCA programme. The salary (monthly living allowance) is 3 639,85 € per month before taxes. Additionally, a monthly mobility allowance 546,15 € per month before taxes will be paid. If applicable, a conditional monthly family allowance of 507,69 € per month before t