The Department of Media and Journalism Studies within the School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for a postdoctoral position in public service media in the age of platforms. The postdoc position is affiliated with the research project ‘Public Service Media in the Age of Platforms’, funded by CHANSE (Transformations: Social and Cultural Dynamics in the Digital Age) from the Independent Research Fund Denmark.
The postdoc position is a two-year, fixed-term research position. The position begins on 1 January 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The School of Communication and Culture is committed to diversity and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their personal background.
Project
The project is funded by the CHANSE programme and asks how the cultural and social values of public service media (PSM) are being transformed by platformisation and what factors are propelling or inhibiting change in different national contexts. For almost 100 years, PSM have played a central role in European culture and society. However, in the past decade, PSM have begun to be transformed by platformisation, a particular facet of digitalisation in which a small number of global platforms (Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple) dominate the digital media landscape (Van Dijck et al., 2018). PSM organisations have responded by developing new production, delivery and aesthetic practices that could alter, undermine or enhance the value that they provide for society and culture. To understand how and why platformisation is transforming PSM, this project will utilise a comparative framework based on the six public service values of universality, independence, excellence, diversity, accountability and innovation outlined by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU, n.d.). This framework will be used to analyse 130 in-depth interviews with commissioning, channel/service, curation and audience research teams, the programmes and catalogues of PSM organisations, and trade, regulatory and policy documents in six countries (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Poland, UK). Contextualised in relation to wider data on the governance, media markets and cultures in each country, this comparative analysis will deliver a clearer understanding not only of how platformisation is transforming PSM across Europe but also the national, international and transnational factors that are propelling or inhibiting change. Knowledge exchange with, and dissemination to, stakeholders and publics through industry workshops, reports, policy briefs, blogs and press articles will enable the translation of the research findings into industry and policy recommendations at national and transnational levels, aimed at securing the ongoing public value of PSM. The working language in the project will be English.
Postdoc position
Your main tasks will consist of:
- conducting qualitative interviews in Danish with key informants in the Danish television industry and PSM organisations as well as key members of staff in the Ministry of Culture Denmark
- qualitative and quantitative mapping and document analysis of media regulatory framework and policies in the Danish media system
- qualitative and quantitative analysis of publication strategies on linear channels and on-demand service
- qualitative analysis of editorial strategies regarding genres and specific programming
- writing and co-writing policy briefs, conference papers, journal articles and book chapters in Danish and/or English
- co-organising seminars, workshops and knowledge-exchange events with the television industry
Qualifications
Applicants must have a PhD degree in media studies or must document equivalent qualifications. Applicants must be able to document, relevant to the position:
- an internationally oriented research profile within media studies as documented by a PhD dissertation and/or research publications in the field of television studies, media systems and public service television with a focus on publication strategies in a multi-channel and/or a streaming context
- proficiency in Danish including academic language skills in Danish
- experience of the self-directed management of research projects
- experience of data collection using qualitative interviews of experts in the media industries and experience of gaining access to media companies
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills, in order to engage productively both within the research team and with external organisations and institutions
Furthermore, it will be considered an advantage if applicants can document
- a track record of research publications of a high international standard, as commensurate with the length of the applicant’s academic career
- relevant teaching experience at university level
- experience of participation in national and international research networks
- time spent abroad working at one or more internationally recognised research institutions
Finally, applicants are asked to provide a proposal for research to be undertaken within the stated framework of the research project (1-2 pages).
Please note that applications that do not include uploaded publications (maximum five) will not be considered.
Although the Aarhus University application system includes an option to upload letters of recommendation, please do not include letters of recommendation or references with the application. Applicants who are invited to an interview may be asked to provide references.
Work environment
Active participation in the daily life of the department is a high priority, and we emphasise the importance of good working relationships, both among colleagues and with our students. In order to maintain and develop the department’s excellent teaching and research environment, the successful applicant is expected to be present at the department on a daily basis.
We respect the balance between work and private life and strive to create a work environment in which that balance can be maintained. You can read more about family and work-life balance in Denmark.
Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.
International applicants
International applicants are encouraged to read about the attractive working conditions and other benefits of working at Aarhus University and in Denmark, including healthcare, paid holidays and, if relevant, maternity/paternity leave, childcare and schooling. Aarhus University offers a wide variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including a relocation service and an AU Expat Partner Programme. You can also find information about the taxation aspects of international researchers’ employment by AU.
The department
The place of employment is the Department of Media and Journalism Studies, Helsingforsgade 14, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
Prospective applicants are invited to view the department’s website.
School of Communication and Culture
The school is a part of the Faculty of Arts. You will find information about the school and its research programmes, departments, and diverse activities on its website.
Contact
For further information about the position, please contact the principal investigator (PI), Professor Hanne Bruun, by email hbruun@cc.au.dk.
If you need help uploading your application or have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Arts HR support by email: hsi@au.dk.
Qualification requirements
Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.
Formalities
Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities (the Appointment Order).
- Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
- Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities .
- Further information on the application and supplementary materials may be found in Application Guidelines.
- The application must outline the applicant’s motivation for applying for the position, attaching a curriculum vitae, a complete list of published works, copies of degree certificates and examples of academic production (mandatory, but no more than five examples). Please upload this material electronically along with your application.
Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here: https://talent.au.dk/junior-researcher-development-programme/
If nothing else is noted, applications must be submitted in English. Application deadline is at 11.59 pm Danish time (same as Central European Time) on the deadline day.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.
Shortlists may be prepared with the candidates that have been selected for a detailed academic assessment. A committee set up by the head of school is responsible for selecting the most qualified candidates. See this link for further information about shortlisting at the Faculty of Arts: shortlisting
Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts is one of five main academic areas at Aarhus University.
The faculty contributes to Aarhus University’s research, talent development, knowledge exchange and degree programmes.
With its 550 academic staff members, 275 PhD students, 9,500 BA and MA students, and 1,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.
The Faculty of Arts consists of the School of Communication and Culture, the School of Culture and Society and the Danish School of Education. Each of these units has strong academic environments and forms the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.
The faculty’s academic environments and degree programmes engage in international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in interaction with society.
Read more at arts.au.dk/en
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University’s website