Postdoctoral Research Fellow position
We are looking for an ambitious scholar who wants to help develop a new agenda for researching citizens’ relations to the public sphere in Norway. The postdoc will form part of the team for the project “Distributed and prepared. A new theory of citizens’ public connection networks in the age of datafication” (PREPARE), funded by The European Research Council (2023-2027) and led by professor Hallvard Moe. The position is full-time for a period of 3 years.
About the project/work tasks:
PREPARE analyzes citizens’ potential for political engagement. With a standing in media and communication studies, but drawing on political theory, anthropology and sociology, the project will stake out a new path for research on citizens’ role in democracies.
The postdoctoral research fellow will undertake fieldwork with qualitative methods. We are concentrating on hard-to-reach social groups to understand how they connect to the public and engage with politics in a broad sense. Groups being studied in the project so far includes immigrants and elderly people in rural communities. The postdoctoral fellow is expected to suggest one or more relevant social groups in their project proposal.
Relevant topics include digital media in everyday life, political engagement and theories that address the roles of citizens in democracy. Applicants should propose a sketch for a postdoctoral project, to be further developed in collaboration with the project leader upon hiring.
The postdoc will work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and inclusive team, as part of the PREPARE project and Bergen Media Use Research Group, which constitutes a stimulating environment for young researchers.
Qualifications and personal qualities:
- The applicant must hold a PhD or equivalent degree within media studies, anthropology, political science, sociology, or other relevant disciplines – or must have submitted his/her doctoral thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded.
- Proven interest in issues related to media use and democracy.
- Experience from ethnographic approaches, qualitative methods, as well as digital methods is an advantage.
- Ability to work independently and in a structured manner to contribute to an ambitious research group.
- Ability to contribute to a dynamic and inclusive research environment.
- Proficiency in both written and oral English.
- A good command of a Scandinavian language.
Potential candidates may be invited to the department for an interview.
Applicants are advised to familiarize themselves with:
- Bergen Media Use Research Group, please see https://www.uib.no/en/rg/mediause
- The PREPARE project website: https://www.uib.no/en/prepare. The project proposal can be shared upon request.
Relevant publications include:
- Hallvard Moe (2021) Distributed Readiness Citizenship: A Realistic, Normative Concept for Citizens’ Public Connection, Communication Theory, 30 (2), 205-225, https://doi.org/10.1093/ct/qtz016
- Brita Ytre-Arne & Hallvard Moe (2018). Approximately Informed, Occasionally Monitorial? Reconsidering Normative Citizen Ideals. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 23(2), 227-246. https://doi.org/10.1177/1940161218771903.
About the position of postdoctoral research fellow:
The position of postdoctoral research fellow is a fixed-term appointment with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. The fixed-term period for this position is 3 years. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution.
A research proposal of 4-5 pages must accompany the application. The proposal should contain a progress plan for the different parts of the research work, as well as a plan regarding publishing.
It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment.
We can offer:
- An inclusive and dynamic working environment.
- Salary at 615 700 NOK yearly (salary step 63/code 1352) on the government salary scale upon appointment. Further promotions are made according to length of service in the position. A higher salary may be considered for a particularly well qualified applicant.
- Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Good welfare benefits
- A workplace in the city centre of Bergen, which offers a vibrant cultural life and closeness to nature
Your application must include:
- A brief account of your research interests and motivation for applying.
- A research proposal of 4-5 pages
- The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of these must be the main advisor from the PhD programme.
- CV
- Transcripts and diplomas and official confirmation that the doctoral thesis has been submitted.
- Relevant certificates/references.
- Publication list of any works of a scientific nature.
- Publications in your name (max 3).
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.
The closing date is 15.10.2023 The application has to be marked with: 23/12427
Applications sent by e-mail will not be evaluated.
General information:
Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: Professor Hallvard Moe, email: Hallvard.moe@uib.no
Practical questions should be directed to: Advisor Lene Hageberg Angelskår, email: lene.angelskar@uib.no
The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.
The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.
Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.
The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.
Further information about our employment process can be found here.