[RP9] Fully Funded PhD Positions Open through the MSCA Doctoral Network INFLUENCE “Legacies, Interdependencies, Power: Russian Influences in the European Periphery”
MSCA Doctoral Network INFLUENCE “Legacies, Interdependencies, Power: Russian Influences in the European Periphery” invites applications for the position of
DOCTORAL RESEARCHER, Electoral Intervention as Foreign Policy: The Russian Toolkit and its Impact
for a full-time doctoral 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. The programme will recruit 10 Doctoral Candidates who will undertake innovative research projects examining how Russian influence operates across Europe’s periphery, with a particular focus on the Baltic States and the Western Balkans.
About INFLUENCE
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 be hosted at one of 5 partner organisations within the network. 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.
Research Position
RP9 – Electoral Intervention as Foreign Policy: The Russian Toolkit and its Impact
Host: University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Focus: Uncovers the strategies and tools Russia uses to influence electoral outcomes and polarise electorates beyond its borders.
Description: This project explores how Russia influences electoral outcomes beyond their borders. The research will analyse several electoral contests in-depth to uncover the strategies and tactics employed. It will examine the political, cultural, military, and covert tools used to shape programmes, influence electoral campaigns, and sway voter decisions. Particular attention will be given to Russia’s efforts to polarize electorates in divided societies, examining how these interventions exploit societal fractures to advance geopolitical political objectives. The project will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative case studies of specific electoral contests with quantitative analysis of voter behaviour and campaign dynamics, complemented by discourse analysis of political messaging and strategic narratives promoted by Russian actors. The findings will contribute to a broader understanding of how foreign electoral influence operates and the pathways through which it affects democratic processes.
What We Offer
- 36‑month full-time EU MSCA contract and fully funded doctoral position
- A monthly scholarship in accordance with the requirements of the European Commission related to the MSCA programme. The scholarship amount will be 2.000-2.500 EUR before tax and social security contributions.
- Additional monthly mobility allowance
- Conditional monthly family allowance
- Joint international supervision
- Advanced research, methods and transferable skills training
- Research visits and intersectoral secondments
- Professional development opportunities and career guidance
- An attractive work-life balance in Sarajevo
General Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must hold a relevant Master’s degree or equivalent which formally entitles them to start a doctorate at the time of application (300 ECTS or equivalent)
- Applicants cannot have been awarded a doctoral degree.
- The position requires excellent English-language skills. Some projects may particularly benefit from knowledge of Russian and/or languages spoken in the Baltic States and the Western Balkans.
- Applicants should have working-knowledge of Bosnian, Croatian or Serbian language, or show readiness to learn either language to working degree level (B1) within the first year of appointment.
- Successful candidates have to be ready to work in a team, travel to conferences and network training events, and to take part in academic and non-academic secondments abroad.
Mobility Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants can be of any nationality; however, they must comply with the following MSCA mobility rule.
- The researcher must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in the country of their host organisation (in this case, Bosnia and Herzegovina) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment.
- All applicants are advised to visit the following website to obtain further details of the eligibility requirements for Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions, see particularly from pages 120 to assess your eligibility before making an application: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf
General Selection Process
INFLUENCE is committed to transparent, merit-based and inclusive recruitment in line with:
Recruitment will take place through an open, international, and competitive selection procedure conducted in two stages.
In the first stage, applications will be evaluated on the basis of academic excellence, research potential, methodological and disciplinary preparedness, motivation, relevant research experience, the quality and feasibility of the proposed research, and its fit with the project and supervisory expertise.
Candidates who demonstrate the strongest overall profiles will be shortlisted and invited to an interview in the second stage. The interview will provide an opportunity to further assess candidates’ research aptitude, motivation, understanding of the proposed research, ability to discuss and develop their ideas, and overall suitability for the doctoral project.
Key Dates
- Call opens: 19 October 2026
- Application deadline: 15 December 2026
- Shortlisted of Candidates prepared: February 2027
- Interviews with Shortlisted Candidates: February – March 2027
- Results communicated: by 30 April 2027
- Scholarship commencement date: 1 October 2027
How to apply
Applicants should submit the following documents as PDF-files:
- Cover letter
- Prospective research proposal outlining your interest in the specific project (max. 2000 words)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Degree certificates and academic transcripts for both the first and second cycles of study (bachelor's and master's degrees) in a relevant field.
- Signed personal statement detailing compliance with the MSCA Mobility Eligibility Criteria
Applications must be submitted to the following email address by the stated deadline:
influence@fpn.unsa.ba
The institution reserves the right to verify the submitted documentation at a later stage and request additional documentation.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The network welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive and equitable research environment.
Further Information
For enquiries about the specific project, please contact Damir Kapidžić, damir.kapidzic@fpn.unsa.ba. For general enquiries about the call please contact intl.coop@fpn.unsa.ba.
Data Protection and Consent Notice
By applying for this position, applicants consent to circulate their application materials and personal data among authorised INFLUENCE consortium members involved in the recruitment process.
All data provided by the applicants will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, EU 2016/679) and used solely for the purpose of selecting doctoral candidates.
For further information on eligibility criteria and on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks in general, please refer to: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks.
