Postdoctoral position in Media and Communication studies with a digital methods profile - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

Postdoctoral position in Media and Communication studies with a digital methods profile

The Department of Culture and Media studies is part of the Arts Faculty at Umeå University and has around 70 staff. A unique combination of subject areas makes the institution a creative environment at the intersection between culture, art, literature and media. Internationally-recognised high-quality research is carried out. Many research projects are focused on the faculty’s strategic research initiatives Global Challenges and the Digital Humanities.

The Department of Media and Communication Studies is advertising a post-doctoral position directed towards development of digital methods. The research topic is optional, but should have a methodological orientation towards the production of computer-aided analysis. Different forms of computer-aided methods for the production of knowledge in the humanities and social sciences are a response to the fact that empirical data is increasingly being gathered and analysed digitally. There is, however, a general shortage of digital methods within Culture and Media studies. One methodological problem is the difficulty associated with scientifically producing, or indeed gaining access to relevant data, another is how and with which software the data should be analysed. However, the use of various sorts of digital methods to analyse media as data appears to be increasingly important for both historical and more contemporary-oriented media and culture research. It might for example include the generation of statistics for online media usage via digitally-oriented approaches, which as the digitization of cultural heritage continues, also relates to scanned versions of older media formats.

A strengthening of media and communication research in the field of digital methods is therefore currently taking place at the Department of Culture and Media studies. Several ongoing research projects make use of digital methods, and the person who is recruited will be part of a research team with a focus on digital methods development. This research environment is currently being developed and there are major opportunities to participate in shaping its operation.

Qualifications and evaluation criteria
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires the post-holder to have completed a PhD degree in Media- and communication studies or a foreign degree that is deemed equivalent – a maximum of three years prior to the application deadline. A precondition is that the applicant has not previously been employed as a post doc at Umeå University during more than a year within the same or a similar field.

Scientific merit forms the primary basis for assessment. Ranking is made according to proven scientific quality and track record. Special weight is given to research that has used digital methods.

Duties
A post-doctoral position relates to full-time research for two years and active participation in the department’s research activities. The position is placed in Umeå.

The application in Swedish or English must include:

• cover letter
• CV (with complete publication list)
• project description (maximum five pages)
• degree certificate
• five publications that applicant wishes to cite
• name and contact information to two referees

How to apply
You apply through our recruitment system. Log into the system and apply via the button at the bottom of the webpage.

We look forward to receiving your application!