The Department of Media and Journalism Studies within the School of Communication and Culture at Aarhus University invites applications for two postdoc positions with a focus on journalism studies, environmental humanities or a combination of both. The two postdoc positions are central to the research project ‘Seasonal Journalism as Vernacular Phenology’ funded by the Aarhus University Research Foundation (AUFF) and led by Associate Professor Henrik Bødker in collaboration with Dr. Michelle Bastian (University of Edinburgh).
The postdoc positions are full time and fixed-term, 19-month positions. The positions start 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 ‘Seasonal Journalism as Vernacular Phenology’ is an investigation of everyday observations of the timings of natural phenomena in what we term ‘seasonal journalism’ (for example, recurrent articles on gardening, first flowering, agricultural timing) in the last 25 years. We approach these observations as a form of vernacular ‘phenology’, which, in ecology, refers to the study of cyclical and seasonal occurrences. The project is an exploratory one which will combine insights into temporality from journalism studies and environmental humanities. Our interest is in identifying how a local awareness of climate change can be traced in media outputs from Denmark and Australia since the turn of the century. Based on the available material, both analogue and digital, the project seeks to develop methodologies for framing, gathering and analysing data on seasonal media and communicating findings more widely. The research team will work collaboratively, building on our individual strengths, and we are open to applicants suggesting novel framings within our overarching interest of investigating seasonal journalism.
Postdoc profiles
We are looking to fill the two postdoc positions with applicants interested in participating in and developing research in journalism studies, the environmental humanities and/or ecological timing at an international level. It is expected that the successful applicants will have a good command of current debates in one of the designated research fields and are able to set out a convincing approach for how they will identify and develop synergies between them. Within the overall framework, successful applicants will have the opportunity to develop their own ideas and projects that are 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.
Successful applicants will be expected to
- work with the project leads to identify appropriate archives and data sources for materials relevant to the project
- identify relevant quantitative and/or qualitative methods for working with media outputs
- gather and analyse cases of seasonal journalism from frameworks derived from journalism studies and/or environmental humanities
- participate in joint writing and dissemination projects
- provide support for project meetings
- contribute to a collaborative grant application with international partners.
Teaching and supervision
While each postdoc position is primarily research-based, at our department it also involves a degree of teaching and supervision or other department tasks (approximately 20% of the postdoc’s employment). The successful applicant will thus take part in some of the department’s teaching and supervision activities at the MA level. This will mainly take place at our international Erasmus Mundus Programme ‘Journalism, Media, and Globalisation’, and will align with the successful applicant’s skills and interests where possible.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a PhD degree or must document equivalent qualifications in any field related to the representation of climate change and/or other environmental issues.
Applicants must be able to document
- an internationally oriented research profile within a field relevant to the representation of climate change (for example, journalism, literature, environmental humanities, geography or ecology)
- a convincing research proposal for the postdoc period, including an explanation of how the project supports the applicant’s career ambitions
- a proven ability to conduct detailed textual analyses either qualitatively or/and quantitatively
- an outstanding and innovative doctoral dissertation in an area related to and relevant for the project
- experience in the self-directed management of research projects
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills needed to engage productively both with the research team and with external collaborators.
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
- experience of digital methods for analysing large corpora of digital texts (for at least one of the positions)
- experience of participation in national and international research networks
- time spent abroad working at one or more internationally recognised research institutions.
Applicants are asked to provide a proposal for research to be undertaken within the stated framework of the research project (max. three pages). Please also address each of the specific criteria in an accompanying cover letter.
Please note that applications that do not include evidence of academic writing (this could be publications or sections from the PhD dissertation (up to a maximum of five submissions)) will not be considered.
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.
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 career counselling for expat partners. For information about taxation, see Taxation aspects of international researchers’ employment by AU.
About Media and Journalism Studies at AU
Grounded in its historical blending of research traditions within the humanities and social sciences, the department carries out research and teaching which examines media and journalistic institutions, productions, texts, use/reception and the roles of media and journalism in culture and society in current and historical perspectives. The Department of Media and Journalism Studies at Aarhus University is one of nine departments that make up the School of Communication and Culture in the Faculty of Arts. The research environment is characterised by extensive participation in cross-institutional national and international research projects, well-established national and international research networks as well as international conferences. In the QS World University Ranking system, communication and media studies at Aarhus University has consistently ranked in the top 50 since 2012 and is currently ranked 42nd in the world. The researchers at the department are engaged in the following AU-based research programmes and research centres:
Centre for University Studies in Journalism
DATALAB – Centre for Digital Social Research
Centre for Internet Studies
Centre for Media Industries and Production Studies
Centre for Transnational Media Research
Centre for Sound Studies
Center for Kulturevaluering (CKE)
Centre for Humanistic Computing
DIGHUMLAB
Cultural Transformations
Media, Communication and Society
Prospective applicants are invited to view the department’s website.
The place of employment is the Department of Media and Journalism Studies, Helsingforsgade 14, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
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 project leader Henrik Bødker hb@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.
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 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 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.
Deadline: 07 November 2022
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.
Read more at arts.au.dk/en