Doctoral Researcher (MSCA), Russia's Role in Promoting Illiberal Governance
About this role
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 Helsingin yliopisto
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