The Department of Communication and Arts (DCA), Roskilde University, invites applications for a position as postdoc studying alternative online media from March 1. 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position as postdoc is full-time and limited until February 28, 2024.
The project
The postdoc is part of the research project Alternative Media and Ideological Counterpublics funded by the Carlsberg Foundation Denmark. The project is located at Roskilde University, and the successful applicant will be associated with the research group Journalism and Democracy, the Center for News Research and the Digital Media Lab at the Department of Communication and Arts. The successful applicant will work in close collaboration with the project leader Associate Professor Eva Mayerhöffer, a PhD student and a research assistant connected to the project.
Alternative Media and Ideological Counterpublics studies the role of hyper-partisan alternative media in the digital public sphere. The project is based on a network-analytical approach and analyzes how right- and left-wing alternative media in different countries connect to mainstream and radical partisan actors from media, politics and civil society. Main focus will be on Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Austria, but other countries may be included, depending on the successful applicant’s own research interest. A short description of the project can be found here:
The postdoc will contribute to the overall research project by studying how topics addressed by alternative media correspond to topics present in mainstream and fringe online communication. The post-doc will, in collaboration with the other members of the project team, use digital methods to collect text and video material published on websites, on various social media platforms and other online fora, as well as other relevant documents.
Alternative Media and Ideological Counterpublics is conducted in close cooperation with international partners from several European countries. Within the project, the successful applicant will have the opportunity for an extended research visit to one of the partner institutions or another relevant research institution, as well as the possibility to attend international conferences and workshops. The project also provides opportunities for advanced method training.
Responsibilities and tasks
The ideal candidate shall be enterprising and possess good communication skills, be visible and involved in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.
The candidate is expected to:
- Be an active collaborative partner in the research project.
- Conduct and complete an independent research project in collaboration with the group.
- Publish independently and in collaboration with the research PI and group in relevant peer reviewed journals.
- Plan and contribute to panels at relevant international conferences.
- Plan and participate in research seminars and network meetings.
- Contribute to popular dissemination of research findings
- Participate actively in the research groups Journalism and Democracy:
- Be an active and present colleague in the Department of Communication and Arts
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD or the equivalent within media and communication studies, journalism studies or an adjacent field in the humanities, social sciences or data sciences.
The ideal candidate is an excellent scholar with experience in quantitative methods, particularly the collection and analysis of digital data. The ideal candidate should be familiar with new methodological developments in data and text mining. Experience in automated content analysis, statistical topic modelling or similar methods, or the willingness to acquire such skills quickly, is a requirement. Previous experience with statistical computing in R is an asset.
The candidate is furthermore expected to demonstrate:
- A background in one or more of the following fields: journalism studies, digital media studies, studies of the digital public sphere, network theory and analysis, online radicalization and extremism
- Good command of English is necessary, and experience in publishing in English is considered an asset.
- Good command of Danish, Swedish, or German is considered an asset.
Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to:
- scientific production and research prospective (including an individual research plan based in the existing project to be submitted with the application)
- the ability to promote and utilize research results
- ability to collaborate closely with research partners
- ability to contribute to the development of the department’s internal and external cooperation
We expect job interviews to be held in week 8, 2021.
Questions
For further information about the postdoc position, and to obtain a full academic description of the project, please contact PI Eva Mayerhöffer on tel. (+45) 71720445 or E-mail: evamay@ruc.dk.
Terms of employment
The employment is on full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to Dean Julie Sommerlund.
The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.
Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.
Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.
The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and – later on – their assessment.
Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.
Application
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/
Only applications in English are accepted.
Applications must include:
1. Cover letter
2. CV
3. Documentation of education
4. Research prospective
5. A complete list of publications
6. A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment. If any of
the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the
extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a
co-author statement (find template here)
7. If relevant: Documentation for any additional research and/or teaching qualification
Please submit your application no later than January 26, 2021
Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.
Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.