Postdoctoral Research Fellow position
There is a vacancy for a postdoctoral research fellow in media studies at the Department of Information Science and Media studies.
We are looking for an ambitious scholar who wants to help develop a new agenda for researching citizens’ relations to the public sphere, 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 and led by professor Hallvard Moe. The position is for a period of four years.
About the project/work tasks
PREPARE analyzes the impact of algorithmic media and datafied everyday life on citizens’ potential for political engagement. The project will stake out a new path for research on citizens’ role in democracies and develop a normative theory of citizens’ orientations to the sphere of politics. PREPARE’s research questions concern how people stay prepared to engage with public issues, and what resources they need to engage. The aim is to substantiate the new theory through thickening of big data, with qualitative ethnographies integrated with digital methods, of groups of so-called disconnected citizens.
The postdoctoral research fellow will undertake fieldwork with qualitative and digital methods to understand how a group of citizens connects to the public. Relevant groups include e.g. young urban second-generation immigrants, elderly in a rural community, or women in precarious jobs. Relevant topics include datafication, digital media in everyday life, and the role of social media for political information, 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 Norwegian PhD or an equivalent degree within media studies, anthropology, 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.
- 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 the Norwegian language and insight into the Norwegian society is an advantage but not a requirement.
Potential candidates may be invited for an interview.
Applicants are advised to familiarize themselves with the research profile of the Bergen Media Use Research Group, please see https://www.uib.no/en/rg/mediause. For information about the project, see https://www.uib.no/en/rg/mediause/153029/erc-grant-new-research-project.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, and 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 four years. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution.
Upon appointment, applicants must submit a project proposal for the qualifying work including a work schedule. For postdoctoral research fellow positions associated with externally financed projects, the completion of the project proposal for the qualifying work will take place in consultation with the project/centre manager. It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment.
We can offer
- A good and professionally challenging working environment within a dynamic and inclusive research group
- Salary at NOK 573 900 per year (code 1352, pay grade 62) on the government salary scale. 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
Your application must include
- A cover letter with a brief account of research interests and motivation for applying
- A sketch of approximately four pages for a postdoctoral project responding to the work tasks, briefly outlining potential topics, case studies, methods, publication and progress plans.
- 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.
- List of any works of a scientific nature (publication list).
- Any 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 15.12.22. The application has to be marked with: 22/16718
Applications sent by e-mail will not be evaluated.
General information
Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: Professor Hallvard Moe, Hallvard.moe@uib.no
Practical questions about the application process should be directed to: Senior Executive Officer Pernille Andersen Hole, pernille.hole@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.