PhD Students in Marketing

Stockholm University

Sweden

Reference number: SU FV-4487-25
University: Stockholm University
Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
Department: Stockholm Business School (SBS)
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

About Stockholm Business School

Stockholm Business School (SBS) is one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Social Sciences, with approximately 150 employees and 3,500 students. Teaching and research activities focus on:

Accounting
Finance
Management
Marketing

More information:
https://www.su.se/english/divisions/stockholm-business-school

Subject Area

The doctoral position is associated with the Marketing Section at Stockholm Business School. The department is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated PhD students interested in pursuing research in marketing, with a focus on:

Marketing strategy and/or
Consumer behavior

with particular emphasis on the circular economy and digitalization.

Research Environment

The position is connected to CIRDIM – Stockholm Circular and Digital Marketing Research Initiative, a research group that brings together scholars specializing in marketing strategy and consumer behavior.

CIRDIM’s mission is to advance theoretically grounded and practice-relevant research supporting the transition toward sustainable, data-driven, and customer-centric business ecosystems.

Key research themes include:

Circular economy business models
Digitalization
Artificial intelligence
Technology adoption

Main Research Areas

Marketing Strategy

Research focuses on circular business models, including conceptual and empirical studies of industry challenges and the role of customers in circular value creation. Particular emphasis is placed on how digitalization drives business model innovation, including analyses of digital retail transformation and future research directions.

Consumer Behavior

Research addresses sustainability-oriented consumer behavior, online retailing, retail digitalization, consumer-facing technologies, live video shopping, and technology use among older consumers. Future work will also explore topics such as willingness to pay for sustainable services and consumer use of artificial intelligence.

Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet both general and specific entry requirements by the application deadline.

General Entry Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following:

Completion of a second-cycle degree, or
Completion of courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits (HEC), including at least 60 HEC at second-cycle level, or
Equivalent knowledge acquired in Sweden or abroad

Specific Entry Requirements

Applicants must have completed:

At least 90 HEC in business administration, or equivalent
Including an independent research project of at least 15 HEC

Selection Criteria

Selection among eligible candidates is based on the applicant’s capacity to benefit from doctoral education. Assessment criteria include:

Previous academic results, including independent analytical and written work
Ability to formulate research problems
Rigour and quality of previous work and the research plan
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
Methodological and scientific maturity
Communication and interpersonal skills
Familiarity with the research area of the proposed thesis
Proficiency in English, both written and oral

Selection follows the Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the Position

Start date: 1 September 2026
Type of employment: Fixed-term doctoral studentship
Extent: 100% (full-time)
Duration: Equivalent to four years of full-time doctoral education

Employment is regulated by Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100).

Doctoral students are expected primarily to devote themselves to their doctoral education. The position may include duties in education, research, or administration up to 20% of full-time employment.

Initial employment is for a maximum of one year, with renewal for up to two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and committed to equal opportunities.

Contact Information

PhD Programme in Business Administration
https://www.su.se/english/divisions/stockholm-business-school/education/courses-and-programmes/doctoral-programme-in-business-administration

Marketing Section
Professor Martin Johanson
Phone: +46 8 16 46 49
Email: martin.johanson@sbs.su.se

Programme-related questions
Professor Sara Jonsson
Director of Research Studies
Email: sara.jonsson@sbs.su.se

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted via Stockholm University’s recruitment system.

Applicants must ensure that their application is complete and submitted before the deadline, in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Application instructions:
https://www.su.se/english/about-the-university/work-at-stockholm-university/how-to-apply-for-a-position

Stockholm University contributes to the development of a sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment, and the pursuit of truth.