The LUT School of Engineering Sciences, the academic discipline of global communication sciences at the Department of Social Sciences, is looking for a Post-doctoral researcher in global communication sciences to strengthen its global communications, soft power and strategic narratives area and work on projects related to these themes. The ideal candidate will have a track record of internationally excellent publications or a trajectory for achieving this. Specifically, we are looking for a curious mind who is interested in longer-term academic career and is passionate about constant learning and making the world a better place to live through science.
LUT University will launch degree programmes in social sciences and communication sciences in autumn 2023. The university’s research in social sciences and communication sciences will also be further strengthened. With a significant public donation, LUT University is building a school of social sciences of a thousand students and a hundred researchers by the 2030s. Thus, you can contribute and join in, helping create a new faculty. LUT’s research in social sciences and communication sciences is based on understanding society and human activities in relation to global sustainability problems. We believe that, by engaging people and communities more strongly at the very start of problem-solving, we will bring about changes more quickly.
What we expect
- The ideal candidate must have a PhD degree in a relevant field (preferably communication studies, global communications, media and communications studies, news media and journalism studies or communications and AI). Alternatively, you may hold a degree in another social science field, such as sociology, political science, social psychology or international relations and wish to use that knowledge to contribute to communication sciences, particularly to global communication, soft power, disinformation and strategic narratives research. You might also hold two degrees, with the other one in computer or data science, and be interested in applying that to the field of communication sciences.
- You must have the ability and motivation to complete project in time and publish in top-tier publications of the field (such as, Communication Theory; Journal of Communication; Media, Culture & Society; New Media & Society; International Journal of Cultural Studies; Television and New Media; International Journal of Press/Politics; Political Communication; Big Data & Society).
- You must have the ability to cooperate in teams and groups because you will work as a member of a research group.
- Knowledge of research ethics is a must, as are good computer skills. Practical knowledge of using social media—and of designing webpages for a project—is a merit.
- You must be fluent in English (both written and spoken). Knowledge of other languages is a plus.
- You have already published in good or preferably top journals of the field of media and communications and are familiar with the international forums of the field, such as ICA. You wish to publish more and in top-tier journals and work internationally.
- You must know both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Previous research drawing on machine learning or AI is a merit, as is teaching and research experience using computational social science methods (such as machine learning, natural language processing, conversational AI) to study global media and communications, particularly disinformation, propaganda or strategic narrative–related issues. Previous teaching experience, pedagogic training and BSc and MSC supervision is also a plus. The post-doc will be responsible for teaching courses related to global media and communications. Global perspective and experience are a strong merit, and applicants with international academic experience are especially encouraged to apply.
Research areas of interest
LUT Communication Sciences takes a global, interdisciplinary social science approach to the study of communication and media; therefore, we are looking for a candidate with an interest in global communication approaches to soft power, strategic narratives, propaganda and AI, democracy, news, technological platforms and social media. The research interests of the post-doctoral researchers should focus particularly on the topics related to global communications:
- Global communications and new forms of influence, power and soft power
- Ideology and propaganda; ideology and soft power; strategic narratives; disinformation and propaganda
- AI, news, democracy, disinformation and propaganda
- AI, news and strategic narratives; AI, soft power and media
- news, disinformation and democracy; democracy and soft power
- Foucault; production of ‘truth’ and governmentality; CMS
- Global communications and green transition; soft power and green transition; strategic narratives and green transition
- Global communications; soft power and strategic narratives around clean air; clean water and clean energy
- Crisis management and communications; crisis, sustainable HR and innovation; Crisis, social innovations and cross-sectoral partnerships
- Global communications, media industry, geopolitics and soft power: soft power and Asia, particularly soft power and South Korea
According to LUT university guidelines, a post-doctoral researcher is required to have a doctoral degree, the ability for independent scientific work and teaching skills needed in the performance of the duties. The new faculty member will be expected to provide intellectual contribution within the university in their areas of expertise.
Employment relationship and pay
The job is based in Lappeenranta, Finland, but part of the work can be conducted remotely. The position starts with a six-month trial period, as is typical in the Finnish system. The employment start date is negotiable. The employment relationship will start with a one-year term, which can be extended by three years if the researcher performs their work successfully.
The salary is based on the current collective agreement for Finnish universities. The annual salary range of post-doctoral researchers is approximately 46 700 – 54 500 euros depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. In addition to a competitive salary, the wide range of benefits that come with this job include a holiday bonus, a generous holiday entitlement, research incentive scheme with personal rewards for high quality publications, flexible working hours, occupational health care, a collegial faculty environment and continued commitment for your support, learning, training and development.
Applications
The deadline for application is Sunday 17 September 2023 at midnight, Finnish local time (UTC +3h).
Please submit your application by filling out the online form and attaching the following:
- A cover letter (max 2 pages)
- A curriculum vitae (max 5 pages)
- A research statement (max 2 pages)
- A teaching statement (max 3 pages) outlining the courses you have taught and feedback, pedagogic training, teaching philosophy and a list of courses that you could and would like to teach
- A research proposal including a publication plan (max 3 pages)
- A copy of your doctoral degree certificate; if the original documents are not in English, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English
- A complete list of publications
- Up to the five most important publications as attachments
- The full contact information of three persons who can provide references
- If you have teaching qualification certificate/s or a teaching portfolio (max 10 pages), those can be included but are not required attachments.
The possible start date of the work must be mentioned in the application. Please submit all the application materials in English. Please also note that using conversational AI-systems in writing the application, or any part of it, is forbidden and will result in rejection of the application.
More information
For further information, please contact Professor of communication sciences Hannele Seeck, hannele.seeck@lut.fi, +358 46 851 0784 (available by phone after 15 August 2023).
Read more about: LUT as an employer
LUT University | Clean energy, water and air are life-giving resources for which we at LUT University seek new solutions with our expertise in technology, business and social sciences. We help society and businesses in their sustainable renewal. Our international community consists of nearly 8,000 members. Our campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland. We’re one of the best universities in the world for climate action. lut.fi/en
Technical support for using the recruitment system: recruitment@lut.fi.
Application period starts: 2023-08-02 08:00 Application period ends: 2023-09-17 23:59