PhD Opportunity: MSCA Doctoral Researcher on Russia’s Role in Promoting Illiberal Governance – University of Helsinki

PhD Opportunity: MSCA Doctoral Researcher on Russia’s Role in Promoting Illiberal Governance – University of Helsinki

• Institution: University of Helsinki

• Faculty: Faculty of Humanities

• Sub-Unit: Aleksanteri Institute

• Project: MSCA Doctoral Network INFLUENCE – Legacies, Interdependencies, Power: Russian Influences in the European Periphery

• Position: Doctoral Researcher

• Research Topic: Russia’s Role in Promoting Illiberal Governance

• Job ID: 5250

• Appointment Type: Full-Time, Fully Funded MSCA Doctoral Position

• Duration: 36 Months / 3 Years

• Expected Start Date: October 1, 2027

• Living Allowance: EUR 3,639.85 per month before taxes, approximately INR 3.86 lakh per month

• Mobility Allowance: EUR 546.15 per month before taxes, approximately INR 0.58 lakh per month

• Conditional Family Allowance: EUR 507.69 per month before taxes, approximately INR 0.54 lakh per month

• Application Deadline: December 15, 2026 at 23:59 Europe/Helsinki time

Overview of the Opportunity

The University of Helsinki invites applications for a fully funded MSCA Doctoral Researcher position within the INFLUENCE Doctoral Network.

INFLUENCE examines Russian influence in Europe through the interconnected dimensions of:

• Legacies

• Interdependencies

• Power

The network brings together five European universities and combines political science, international relations, area studies, sociology, history, media studies, security studies, and political economy.

The University of Helsinki project focuses specifically on Russia’s role in promoting illiberal governance across Europe.

About the INFLUENCE Doctoral Network

The network includes:

• Vilnius University

• University of Glasgow

• University of Helsinki

• University of Sarajevo

• University of Warsaw

Doctoral researchers will benefit from:

• Joint international supervision

• Advanced methodological training

• Intersectoral secondments

• Transferable-skills development

• Policy engagement

• Academic and non-academic research mobility

Secondments of at least 6 months are an integral part of the doctoral programme.

Research Focus

The University of Helsinki project is titled:

Teaching Authoritarianism: Russia’s Role in Promoting Illiberal Governance

The research investigates how illiberal governance models inspired by Russian political practices are diffused, adopted, and adapted by political actors across Europe.

The project examines how authoritarian and illiberal practices may contribute to:

• Autocratisation

• Weakening of judicial independence

• Politicisation of courts

• Restrictions on media freedom

• Institutional capture

• Appointment of loyalists and cronies

• Corruption

• Rent-seeking

• Undermining liberal democratic norms

Research Objectives

The project will analyse:

• How Russian-inspired governance models travel across political contexts.

• How domestic and international actors contribute to the diffusion of illiberal practices.

• How political parties and governments adapt such practices.

• How authoritarian strategies interact with local political, economic, and societal conditions.

• How Russia supports European actors seeking to weaken liberal democratic institutions.

• How illiberal governance contributes to autocratisation and bad governance.

The research is expected to contribute to broader theories of:

• Illiberalism

• Autocratisation

• Democratic erosion

• Governance

• Transnational political influence

Key Responsibilities

The selected doctoral researcher will be expected to:

• Conduct original doctoral research.

• Develop a research plan with supervisors.

• Produce a doctoral dissertation.

• Participate in INFLUENCE network training.

• Attend conferences and network events.

• Participate in academic and non-academic secondments abroad.

• Engage with partner institutions.

• Contribute to interdisciplinary research activities.

• Take part in policy-oriented and professional-development activities.

• Work collaboratively within the international doctoral network.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold a relevant Master’s degree or equivalent that formally qualifies them to begin doctoral studies.

• Not already hold a doctoral degree.

• Meet the applicable MSCA mobility requirements.

• Demonstrate excellent English-language skills.

• Be prepared to work in an international team.

• Be willing to travel for conferences, training, and secondments.

Applicants may be of any nationality.

MSCA Mobility Rule

To qualify for the position, applicants must not have:

Resided or carried out their main activity in Finland for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment date.

The appointment also requires mobility across the institutions and partner organisations participating in the network.

Additional Language Skills

Excellent English is required.

Depending on the research direction, knowledge of the following may be particularly useful:

• Russian

• Languages of the Baltic States

• Languages of the Western Balkans

Doctoral Study Right

The selected candidate must obtain the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki and secure approval from a suitable doctoral programme by the end of the standard 6-month probationary period, unless they already hold the required study right.

The research plan and related application material will be prepared together with the PhD supervisors at the beginning of the employment period.

Salary & Funding

The position is fully funded under the MSCA Doctoral Networks programme.

Monthly Living Allowance

EUR 3,639.85 before taxes

Approximately:

INR 3.86 lakh per month

Monthly Mobility Allowance

EUR 546.15 before taxes

Approximately:

INR 0.58 lakh per month

Conditional Monthly Family Allowance

Where applicable:

EUR 507.69 before taxes

Approximately:

INR 0.54 lakh per month

The applicable salary, pension, and employment conditions follow European Commission MSCA requirements.

University of Helsinki employees also receive applicable:

• Finnish pension benefits

• Occupational healthcare

• Employee benefits

Selection Process

Recruitment will take place through a two-stage international competitive process.

Stage 1

Applications will be assessed on:

• Academic excellence

• Research potential

• Methodological preparation

• Disciplinary preparation

• Motivation

• Relevant research experience

• Quality of the proposed research

• Feasibility of the proposal

• Fit with the doctoral project

• Fit with available supervisory expertise

Stage 2

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.

The interview will assess:

• Research aptitude

• Motivation

• Understanding of the project

• Ability to discuss and develop research ideas

• Overall suitability for doctoral research

Application Checklist

Applicants should prepare the following documents in PDF format:

1. Cover Letter

2. Prospective Research Proposal

   • Explaining interest in the specific doctoral project

3. Curriculum Vitae

4. Degree Certificates

5. Academic Transcripts

Applications must be submitted through the University of Helsinki recruitment system.

Important Dates

• Call Opens: October 12, 2026

• Application Deadline: December 15, 2026 at 23:59 Europe/Helsinki time

• Shortlist Prepared: February 2027

• Interviews: February–March 2027

• Results Communicated: By April 30, 2027

• Employment Start Date: October 1, 2027

• Contract Duration: 36 months

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the University of Helsinki recruitment system using the official Apply Now function.

Job ID: 5250

For questions about the position:

Ira Jänis-Isokangas
Email: ira.janis-isokangas@helsinki.fi

For questions about the recruitment system:

Email: recruitment@helsinki.fi

Applicants contacting recruitment support should include the title of the vacancy in the email subject line.

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