PhD position, tourism studies: hybrid cultural heritage experiencing

The department conducts research and education in the subjects: business administration, law, economics, statistics, geography and tourism studies. It also hosts the European Tourism Research Institute (ETOUR). 

We are pleased to announce a challenging PhD position that examines hybridisation in cultural heritage and tourism experiences as part of a MSCA-Doctoral Network Fellowship project titled “HERITOUR - Enhancing collaborative synergies between Cultural HERItage and TOURism”.

About HERITOUR
HERITOUR, examines examining how the cultural heritage and tourism sectors can collaborate more effectively to address shared challenges and reduce the negative impacts of tourism. The project provides interdisciplinary training and focuses on hybridisation, sustainability, resilience, and democratisation.

10 PhD vacancies are available in six universities. For more information, regularly check the individual vacancy pages of the universities listed on the project website [https://heritour.eu/]. 

About the research project
This position (DC-1) is focused on examining hybridisation (WP1) in, cultural heritage and tourism based on a digital-physical spectrum; how digital technologies and mediatisation affect, challenge, and change creativity, tourist experiences, marketing, consumption, behaviour, co-creation, customer journeys, communication, content, context and presence. Specifically, this project examines the core dimensions, value and meaning of hybridisation.

The candidate will be supervised by Professor Dr. Maria Lexhagen (MIUN), and co-supervised by Dr Özgün Ozçakir (METU).

Job description
Independent third-cycle studies with 100% research including a dissertation that involve conducting, publishing and presenting research, and course work associated with the PhD program in tourism studies as well as participating in intensive training schools, seminars, workshops and other events as part of HERITOUR. The position includes two secondments for 3 months in total. At Kalmar Castle, Sweden and Europa Nostra, Türkiye.

Entry requirements
General entry requirements include a second-cycle level qualification, or fulfilment of courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or the equivalent knowledge gained in some other way in Sweden or abroad. Specific entry requirements include at least 90 credits in the subject of tourism studies, business administration, human geography, or the equivalent knowledge (e.g. marketing, media/communication studies, urban studies) gained in some other way in Sweden or abroad. 

To be eligible, a candidate must have: 

• Not resided or carried out their main activity in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the starting date of this employment.
• Not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment

Assessment criteria
Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated interest and capacity in the field of the position
• Scientific, analytical, and communicative skills
• Knowledge and abilities indicating readiness to conduct research at the PhD level
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills

Personal qualities
Be a good team player with high capability to work independently with dedication and under pressure. Have good collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary and intercultural academic communities. Be highly motivated to carry out high level research and publish in top peer reviewed international journals. Show intellectual autonomy and critical analytical skills.

Other assessment criteria 
Candidates with familiarity and keen interest in digitalization, digital technologies and media (e.g 3D modelling), and quantitative and qualitative scientific methods including those related to digital technology, media and advanced data analysis, will be regarded favourably. 

Employment process
Processing of the appointment will comply with the provisions in Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance, and will be carried out in accordance with Mid Sweden University’s Employment Procedures. 

Terms of employment
The doctoral studentship position corresponds to four years of full-time studies and is expected to lead to a Degree of Doctor. The entry date is 1 September 2026 or as agreed.

Initial doctoral student positions are valid for a maximum of one year, after which the position may be renewed by no longer than two years at a time. Provisions regarding doctoral studentship employment can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7. 

Place of employment: Östersund, Sweden

Salary: In accordance with Mid Sweden University’s salary scale for doctoral students currently starting at 33 900 SEK/month, plus a mobility allowance. If the selected candidate has a family, they may be eligible for a family allowance as part of the MSCA Fellowship. 

Information
For more detailed information contact Maria Lexhagen, professor in tourism studies maria.lexhagen@miun.se or +46 (0)10-1428339, Rosemarie Ankre, Head of Department, rosemarie.ankre@miun.se or  +46 (0)10-1427836. More information about the HERITOUR project, contact heritour@eur.nl.

Application
Application documents must be submitted in English.

• Signed Declaration of Honours found here. Support the declaration with documentation such as rental contracts.
• Curriculum Vitae with publication list if applicable;
• Copies of certificates/diplomas;
• Personal letter to introduce your interest in the position (1 page maximum) incl information about language proficiencies (e.g. Scandinavian languages);
• Written proposal outlining a direction of the research the applicant would like to undertake (3 pages maximum incl. references);
• Copy of the applicant’s Master's thesis;
• Names and contact information of two references (no letters of recommendation are required at this stage);
• Other material the applicant deems necessary to support their application.

Welcome to apply through our recruitment system no later than 04-05-2026.

Mid Sweden University has two campuses; in Sundsvall and in Östersund, both located close to students, colleagues and the surrounding society. At the same time, it is located conveniently close to the sea, forests and mountains, which provides a great quality of life. Here, new knowledge is created by means of internationally successful research and education that contribute to the development of our society. This way, we actively contribute to a sustainable future and a better world. Mid Sweden University works actively for equal opportunities and strives to embrace the qualities that diversity and equality bring to the organization. Prior to any recruitment work, Mid Sweden University has taken a position on consulting support, recruitment channels and marketing. We therefore kindly ask media vendors, recruitment sites and the like not to contact us.

• Contract type

  Full time

• First day of employment

  01-09-2026 or as agreed

• Salary

  Mid Sweden University’s salary scale for doctoral students

• Number of positions

  1

• Working hours

  100%

• City

  Östersund

• County

  Jämtlands län

• Country

  Sweden

• Reference number

  MIUN 2026/795

• Union representative
  • Per Bergman, Fackförbundet ST, 010-1428371
  • Börje Norlin, Saco, 010-1428594
• Published

  2026-03-25

• Last application date

  2026-05-04