Doctoral Researcher (MSCA), Russia's Role in Promoting Illiberal Governance

Job description

MSCA Doctoral Network INFLUENCE “Legacies, Interdependencies, Power: Russian Influences in the European Periphery” invites applications for the position of DOCTORAL RESEARCHER, Russia’s Role in Promoting Illiberal Governance 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: Teaching Authoritarianism: Russia’s Role in Promoting Illiberal Governance Focus: Investigates how illiberal governance models inspired by Russian practices diffuse to and are adapted by political actors across Europe. Description: This project investigates the rise of autocratisation and bad governance in Europe by examining how illiberal leaders adopt and adapt governance models inspired by Russian practices. Designed to curtail political opposition and dissent while promoting corruption and rent-seeking, these models are increasingly emulated across diverse political contexts to consolidate processes of autocratisation. Illiberal strategies include weakening judicial independence, politicizing courts, restricting media freedom, and reshaping state institutions through the appointment of loyalists and cronies to key decision-making positions. Beyond serving as a model of autocratisation and bad governance, Russia actively supports governments, political parties, and other European domestic actors seeking to undermine liberal democratic norms and institutions. The project will analyse the transnational dynamics of illiberal learning, focusing on the interaction between domestic and international actors in the diffusion of authoritarian strategies and governance practices across Russia and Europe. It will also examine how these practices are adapted to specific political, economic, and societal contexts, thereby contributing to the theorization of the rise of illiberalism and bad governance in Europe. 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 taxes is paid. Joint international supervision Advanced research, methods and transferable skills training Research visits and intersectoral secondments Professional development opportunities and career guidance Standard Finnish pension benefits and occupational health care are provided for University of Helsinki employees. Read more about the employee benefits at the University of Helsinki and why the University of Helsinki is an excellent career choice: . Please also see about relocation support: Eligibility Criteria Applicants must hold a relevant Master’s degree or equivalent which formally entitles them to start a doctorate at the time of application Applicants cannot have been awarded a doctoral degree. Applicants can be of any nationality; however, they must comply with the mobility rule: must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. All positions require excellent English-language skills, some projects may particularly benefit from knowledge of Russian and/or languages spoken in the Baltic States and the Western Balkans. Successful candidates have to be ready to work in a team, travel to conferences and network training events, and to take part in an academic and non-academic secondments abroad. The appointee must obtain the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki and approval by a suitable doctoral programme by the end of the standard 6-month probationary period of the employment, unless having already existing study right. The research plan and other application material will be prepared together with the PhD supervisor(s) in the beginning of the employment period. For further information on eligibility criteria and on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks in general, please refer to: General Selection Process INFLUENCE is committed to transparent, merit-based and inclusive recruitment in line with: the European Charter for Researchers: ; the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers: ; the MSCA Guidelines on Supervision: Recruitment will take place through an open, international, and competitive selection procedure conducted in two stages. In the first stage, applications will be evaluated on the basis of academic excellence, research potential, methodological and disciplinary preparedness, motivation, relevant research experience, the quality and feasibility of the proposed research, and its fit with the project and available supervisory expertise. Candidates who demonstrate the strongest overall profiles will be shortlisted and invited to an interview in the second stage. The interview will provide an opportunity to further assess candidates’ research aptitude, motivation, understanding of the proposed research, ability to discuss and develop their ideas, and overall suitability for the doctoral project. Key Dates Call opens: 12 October 2026 Application deadline: 15 December 2026 Shortlisted of Candidates prepared: February 2027 Interviews with Shortlisted Candidates: February – March 2027 Results communicated: by 30 April 2027 Employment commences: 1 October 2027 How to apply Applicants should be prepared to submit the following documents as PDF-files: Cover letter Prospective research proposal outlining your interest in the specific project Curriculum Vitae Degree certificates and academic transcripts Please submit your application to the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the Apply Now button (or Employee login). Application deadline is on the 15 December 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki time). Equality, Diversity and Inclusion The network welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive and equitable research environment. Further Information For enquiries about the position, please contact Ira Jänis-Isokangas, . For enquiries about the recruitment system, please contact (please indicate the title of the call in the email heading). Data Protection and Consent Notice By applying for this position, applicants consent to circulate their application materials and personal data among authorised INFLUENCE consortium members involved in the recruitment process. All data provided by the applicants will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, EU 2016/679) and used solely for the purpose of selecting doctoral candidates.