PhD Student in Information Society - Agent-Based Social Simulation
Investigate crisis preparedness and governmental messaging using agent-based social simulation within an EU MSCA Doctoral Network.
Best for:Best for candidates with a strong background in social simulation, computational modelling, and behavioural or social sciences.
Overview
Stockholm University's Department of Computer and Systems Sciences invites applications for a fully funded PhD position focusing on agent-based social simulation for crisis preparedness. Part of the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network "SoCRISP," the project explores governmental communication, public trust, and socio-cultural responses to crises in Sweden and Italy. The successful candidate will design computational models, conduct empirical case studies, and complete two research internships. The role offers a stimulating interdisciplinary environment combining computer science, social theory, and policy insights.
What you'll do
- Develop and validate agent-based social simulation models to study citizen and decision-maker responses to crisis communication.
- Combine social science theories with empirical case studies from Sweden and Italy to evaluate trust in institutions and social identities.
- Participate in network-wide training courses, workshops, and consortium meetings across different countries.
- Complete two one-month international research internships in Sweden and Italy.
- Contribute to scientific publications, presentations at international conferences, and stakeholder engagement activities.
- Engage in departmental duties such as limited teaching, research assistance, and academic administration up to 20% of the time.
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree (second-cycle degree) or equivalent qualifications totaling at least 240 higher education credits, with 60 credits at the second cycle.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; CEFR Level B2 or equivalent written and spoken proficiency.
Instruction: English
- Completed second-cycle courses encompassing at least 60 higher education credits in computer and systems sciences, humanities, behavioural science, education, psychology, communication studies, or a related relevant subject.
- Completed a second-cycle degree project or thesis of at least 15 higher education credits.
- Demonstrated methodological and scientific maturity in social simulation modelling, computational formalisation, or behavioural research.
- Strong foundational knowledge in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills for collaborative interdisciplinary research.
- Must meet general and specific entry requirements for doctoral studies at Stockholm University.
- Must comply with the MSCA Doctoral Network mobility rule: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to recruitment.
- Must not already hold a doctoral degree on the first day of employment.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-15
Prepare a personal letter, CV, and all requested application attachments written in English. Submit the complete application through Stockholm University's online recruitment system before the deadline.
- CV
- Cover letter
- Master's thesis
- University transcripts
Contact
Harko Verhagen· Professor
https://www.su.se/english/divisions/department-of-computer-and-systems-sciences
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