The Department of Media and Journalism Studies within the School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for a postdoctoral position with a focus on European film and video on demand (VOD) Markets. The postdoc position is tied to two research projects: “CresCine – increasing the international competitiveness of the film industry in small European markets” (Horizon Europe, 2023-2026) and “EUVoD – The development of Europe’s Video on Demand markets” (Aarhus University Research Foundation AUFF, 2021-2024). Two years are assigned to CresCine and one year to EUVoD.
You will be part of a team consisting of Associate Professor Jakob Isak Nielsen (AU lead on CresCine) and Assistant Professor Cathrin Helen Bengesser (lead on EUVoD and participant in CresCine) as well as student assistants. Jakob Isak Nielsen and Cathrin Helen Bengesser will be jointly coordinating the postdoctoral work in the three-year period.
The postdoc position is a full-time and fixed-term, 36-month position. The position starts 1 March 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter and ends 28 February 2026.
The School of Communication and Culture is committed to diversity and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their personal background.
Projects
CresCine aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the film industry across small countries in Europe and improve the international circulation of films and audiovisual (AV) content coming from small markets. Aarhus University has various roles in the project. For two of the three years, the postdoc’s work will be equally divided between two work packages. In the work package on “Small Film Markets: Comparative and Cross-sectorial Perspectives”, the postdoc will be involved in both qualitative and quantitative assessment and comparison of the state of the art of European film industries in select small markets: Estonia, Lithuania, Denmark, Ireland, Belgium (Flanders), Croatia and Portugal. The work will be both empirically and conceptually oriented to better conceptualise small film market ecosystems from a media-systemic perspective. The work package on “Platforms, Distribution, Exhibition and Promotion” will identify challenges and drivers of change for the distribution and exhibition of content from small markets. The impact of platforms (domestic, pan-European or global platforms) will be closely examined. The project will involve collaboration with other academic consortium partners as well as industry stakeholders.
The EUVoD project studies the transformation of the European audiovisual (AV) market from broadcasting to video on demand since 2012 by comparing the economic, cultural and media-political development of national markets across the EU. Using quantitative indicators on market development as well as qualitative knowledge on VOD players and idiosyncrasies of national markets, the project maps how different media systems in small and large, central and peripheral, Western and Eastern European regions have reacted to the technological change, the expansion of US-based, globally operating services and media-political challenges emerging from them. The project seeks to find explanations for diverging trends across Europe and to evaluate them in the light of national and European cultural and economic policy goals for sustainable, internally diverse and externally competitive media markets. The postdoc’s work in this project is supposed to contribute independent research and academic publications on specific national and pan-European market conditions and to assist in the communication of project findings to stakeholders beyond academia.Postdoc profile
We are looking to fill a three-year postdoc position with an applicant interested in participating in and developing research in European film and television studies at an international level. It is expected that the successful applicant will have a good command of current debates in the fields of European film and television studies as well as media industry studies. Within the frameworks of the two projects, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to develop their own ideas and methodological-theoretical repertoire in line with their interests and expertise. In addition to that, we plan to build a team with good communications skills and a reliable work ethic.
The successful applicant is expected to:
- have an excellent understanding of audiovisual industries and their specific nature in the European context
- be able to identify appropriate empirical sources and materials relevant to the research projects
- be able to identify, develop and employ theoretical and methodological perspectives relevant to the research projects
- develop and carry out comparative studies of national media markets (of a qualitative as well as a quantitative nature)
- conduct stakeholder interviews
- be familiar with current debates on media policy within a European context
- take an active part in writing and dissemination tasks
- take an active part in project-related administration
Teaching and supervision
While the postdoc position is primarily research-based, one of the three years involves teaching and supervision or other departmental tasks (approximately 20% of the postdoc’s employment in that year). This can take place at the BA/MA in Media Studies or the BA/MA supplementary degree programmes in Film and Media and will align with the successful applicant’s skills and interests where possible. It is possible to teach in either Danish or English.Qualifications
Applicants must have a PhD degree or must document equivalent academic qualifications in any field related to film, television or video-on-demand industries and/or European media policy on national or European level.
Applicants must be able to document
- an internationally oriented research profile within a field relevant to European film, television and VOD markets
- a track record of research publications of a high international standard commensurate with the length of the applicant’s academic career
- a proven ability to conduct detailed comparative analyses of media markets or industries either qualitatively or/and quantitatively
- an outstanding and innovative doctoral dissertation in an area related to and relevant for the project
Furthermore, it will be considered an advantage if applicants have
- experience of participation in national and international research networks
- spent time abroad working at one or more internationally recognised research institutions
- experience in self-directed management of research projects
- proficient use of Excel and further skills in data processing tools
- proficient knowledge of at least one European language other than English
Finally, applicants are asked to provide a proposal for research to be undertaken within the stated framework of the research project, including an explanation of how the projects support the applicant’s career ambitions (max. three pages).
Please note that applications that do not include uploaded publications (maximum five) will not be considered. Evidence of academic production can also include contributions to research reports.
Contact
For further information about the position, please contact the project leader Jakob Isak Nielsen jakobisak@cc.au.dk
If you need help uploading your application or if you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Arts HR, supporter Helle Sindal, mail: hsi@au.dk or e-mail: emply.ar.hr@au.dk.
Work environment
Active participation in the daily life of the department is a high priority, and we emphasise the importance of good working relations, 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 regular basis.
We respect the balance between work and private life and strive to create a work environment in which that balance can be maintained. See family and work-life balance for further information.
Aarhus University also offers a junior researcher development programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.
The place of employment is the Department of Media and Journalism Studies, Helsingforsgade 14, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
International applicant?
International applicants are encouraged to see attractive working conditions for further information about the benefits of working at Aarhus University and in Denmark, including healthcare, paid holidays and, if relevant, 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. For information about taxation, see taxation aspects of international researchers’ employment by AU.
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.
Qualification requirements
Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.
Formalities
The Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities(the Appointment Order).
- Appointments shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
- Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in theMemorandum 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 teaching portfolio, 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. The 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