Doctoral position in business administration (marketing)

Welcome to Linnaeus University! Here you’ll meet 2 200 staff members and 40 000 students, all united in following the vision to set knowledge in motion for a sustainable societal development. With us, research and education are conducted with an eye towards the future. Our proximity to the business world, both locally and globally, gives us a wide reach and the ability to create change that makes an impact. All that’s needed is a place where ideas have the space to meet and grow. That’s what we’ve created – and you are invited.

Change starts here!

The School of Business and Economics at Linnaeus University conducts research and offers education in business administration, economics, statistics, and law and tourism studies. Our mission is to help people grow through the knowledge created jointly by researchers, lecturers and students. We contribute entrepreneurial thinking and sustainable solutions to complex organisational and societal challenges. We take pride in our long-standing tradition of collaboration with the wider community. We are accredited by AACSB.

Subject area for the position: Business administration
Location until further notice: Växjö or Kalmar. Since Linnaeus University is located in both Växjö and Kalmar, travel between the two may be required.
Term and hours: The position is limited in time in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 5, Section 7). The position is full time.
The Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 5, Section 2) states that a person employed as a doctoral student shall primarily devote their time to their own doctoral studies. However, a doctoral student may, to a limited extent, engage in teaching, research and administration. Such duties may not exceed 20 per cent of full-time working hours for the doctoral position before the doctoral degree has been awarded.
Start date: 1 November 2025 or as agreed upon.

Job description
The doctoral student is expected to complete their thesis within the field of marketing. The research will focus on the role of strategic and operational marketing in the technology-driven transformation of companies, with the aim of increasing competitiveness and growth. It will also examine how both new and established firms respond to, or drive, technological change in relation to strategic and operational marketing. Relevant themes include AI, automation, and digital transformation. The focus should be on small and medium-sized enterprises in Småland, in industries such as financial technologies, tourism, services, retail and sustainability. However, key actors, such as IKEA, will also be a central part for this position.

See the link below for further information about our research and education: https://lnu.se/en/meet-linnaeus-university/Organisation/feh/school-of-business-and-economics/research/ 

Doctoral education in business administration at Linnaeus University comprises four years of full-time funded study. The doctoral student will complete a total of 240 higher education credits, of which 90 credits are coursework and 150 credits are devoted to the thesis.

The following link provides additional information about our doctoral studies: https://lnu.se/en/research/PhD-studies/business-administration/

The successful applicant admitted to the doctoral programme will take part in the GATE graduate school – the Graduate School of Advanced Technology and Enterprising – and work in collaboration with companies in Småland. GATE is a unique interdisciplinary initiative from the School of Business and Economics and the Faculty of Technology at Linnaeus University. The purpose of the graduate school is to address the challenges that globalisation, new technologies such as automation, digitalisation and AI, and environmental and climate issues pose for businesses. The practical relevance of the research area and research questions will be discussed in collaboration with companies in Småland.

You find more information about GATE at https://lnu.se/en/research/PhD-studies/gate—graduate-school-of-advanced-technology-and-enterprising/

Entry requirements
General entry requirements for doctoral studies are met by those who:
1. have completed a master’s degree;
2. have completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are at master’s level, or
3. have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Specific entry requirements are met by those who
1. have at least 90 credits in business administration, or in subjects relevant to doctoral studies in business administration, or have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad
2. have at least 15 credits at bachelor’s and/or master’s level in business administration or related subjects, including a degree project at bachelor’s and/or master’s level
3. are proficient in English, as demonstrated through appropriate documentation.

Desirable qualifications
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written Swedish is an advantage.

Selection criteria
Selection is based on the applicant’s ability to benefit from doctoral studies. The assessment is based on academic proficiency as demonstrated in scholarly work, course grades, an evaluation of the applicant’s potential to complete doctoral studies, and the relevance, originality and feasibility of the proposed thesis project.

Contact
Programme coordinator: Associate Professor Viktorija Kalonaityte (viktorija.kalonaityte@lnu.se)
Faculty administrator: Ivana Tomic-Kokic(ivana.tomic-kokic@lnu.se)
HR partner: Maja Johansson (maja.johansson@lnu.se)

Application
The application must include
1. a brief personal statement outlining your interests, your motivation for undertaking doctoral studies, and a summary of qualifications and experience relevant to the programme and research project
2. a CV
3. certified copies of transcripts and certificates demonstrating language proficiency
4. contact details for two academic referees
5. a copy of your master’s thesis (or equivalent) and any publications
6. the completed application form for doctoral studies
7. a preliminary research proposal of 3–5 pages. The proposal should describe the proposed research and explain how it relates to research in marketing, technological development and enterprise carried out within the newly established graduate school.

We strongly recommend that non-Swedish applicants take GRE- and TOEFL/IELTS tests and include the results in the applications.
The form for application for doctoral studies (for the application requitement vi. above) can be found here: https://lnu.se/en/research/PhD-studies/business-administration/

Please submit your application according to the instructions no later than August 10, 2025.

Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Please apply by clicking on the Apply button at the bottom of the ad. The credentials you invoke must be verified with certification and they must be attached digitally in your application. The application and other documents to be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 23.59 (Local time in Sweden) on the closing day.