PhD Student in Public Health

Stockholms Universitet · Vollzeit

Institutionen för folkhälsovetenskap, Stockholm, Schweden

The Department of Public Health is a department within the Faculty of Social Sciences with approximately 60 employees. We offer an interdisciplinary and internationally leading research environment. The department has two research centers: the Center for Research on Health Inequalities (CHESS) and the Center for Social Science Alcohol and Drug Research (SoRAD). We offer education in public health at basic, advanced, and doctoral levels. More information about us can be found at: Department of Public Health Project Description The dissertation work focuses on the significance of commercial determinants for public health, with an emphasis on substances and behaviors with addiction potential, such as alcohol, nicotine, and gambling. The starting point is the potential conflict between profit interests of commercial actors and public health policy objectives. In The Lancet 2023, a comprehensive framework for Commercial Determinants of Health (CDH) was formulated. Commercial actors are of various types and operate at different levels. CDH refers to the systems, practices, and ways in which commercial actors influence health and equality. Through primarily qualitative research methods, the doctoral student will generate research material and analyze, for example, commercial actors' strategies and lobbying, regulatory processes, and users' experiences. This could involve how commercial strategies and norm shifts have progressively strengthened profit-driven actors' influence over policy, national and international regulation, and knowledge production regarding health-damaging products, and how and why political systems sometimes enable rather than limit this influence. It could also involve how commercial actors circumvent marketing restrictions, for example on social platforms, and how such messages are received by the audience. It is desirable that the project focuses on Swedish conditions, while international perspectives and comparisons are welcomed. Since the research field is relatively new, the doctoral project can advantageously include methodological and theoretical development. This could involve, for example, how commercial determinants can be conceptualized and measured. Comparisons of the significance of determinants and regulation across different substances and products are of interest, as regulation varies within and between countries. Eligibility Requirements To be admitted to doctoral education, the applicant must meet basic and specific eligibility requirements. Eligibility must be fulfilled by the last application deadline. You have basic eligibility if you have completed an advanced degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (hp), of which at least 60 hp at advanced level, or in another way within or outside the country acquired substantially equivalent knowledge. For specific eligibility, according to the General Study Plan for doctoral education in public health, the applicant must have good oral and written knowledge of English. For specific eligibility, furthermore, the candidate must have completed course requirements regarding quantitative or qualitative methods of relevance to public health of at least 7.5 higher education credits at advanced level. Eligibility requirements can also be met by those who within or outside the country have acquired substantially equivalent competence. Any equivalence assessment of eligibility is conducted by the Study Director for doctoral education in public health, and the decision is made by the Head of Department. Selection Selection among applicants is made with regard to the ability to benefit from doctoral education. The assessment criteria applied in the selection are as follows: subject-specific knowledge relevant to public health where applicable, subject-specific knowledge relevant to the research project in which the position is included independence in analysis and design in previous scientific work scientific rigor and quality in previous work and project outline communication and collaboration skills the department's ability to provide adequate supervision given the planned research good knowledge of Swedish is meritorious. Admission procedures for doctoral education at Stockholm University. About the Position We offer a fixed-term position as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the position may include work with education, research, and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20%). A new position as a doctoral student applies for at most one year; the position is thereafter renewed for at most two years at a time. The doctoral student is expected to be primarily present at the workplace at Stockholm University. Stockholm University values being a workplace free from discrimination and provides equal rights and opportunities for all. Contact Further information is provided by principal supervisor Jessica Storbjörk, [email protected]. For more information about doctoral education, contact Study Director Sara Brolin Låftman, [email protected]. Application You apply for the doctoral position via Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as any attachments requested in the application form. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete in accordance with the job announcement and that it is submitted to the university by the last application deadline. Instructions for applicants can be found on the webpage: applying for a position. Stockholm University contributes to the development of a sustainable democratic society through knowledge, education, and truth-seeking.