Senior Research Assistant in Media Representations of Disability and Life Course - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies is looking for a Senior Research Assistant to a cross-disciplinary disability project funded by the European Research Council.

Project description
The position is financed for ten months (100%) through a project led by Professor Lotta Vikström who has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovative programme, ”DISLIFE Liveable disabilities: Life courses and opportunity structures across time” (Consolidator Grant Agreement No. 647125).

Job description
To identify how different disabilities and conceptions of disability affect people's lives and participation in society, the DISLIFE project investigates four themes: (1) health and mortality; (2) education and the labor market; (3) partnership and family; (4) activities and representations of disabilities in certain leisure structures (culture, media, sports). The project brings together researchers from different disciplines who apply life course and gender perspectives and conduct both quantitative and qualitative analyses of present and historical conditions. 

For more information about the DISLIFE project and its four research themes, visit: 

DISLIFE Website
DISLIFE Themes

The senior research assistant will contribute to the DISLIFE project by conducting research that is relevant to the fourth theme of the project (see above), regarding contemporary media representations of disabilities from a life course perspective. The research may be linked to some other project theme (see item 1-3 above). Candidates are expected to study the DISLIFE project closely when the application is written (see web pages above and instructions below)  The project’s cross-disciplinary profile means that the scientific background of the applicant can cover different main field(s). 

Certain administrative tasks can be included in the employment. 

Qualifications and assessments
Eligible are candidates who have a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree that is deemed to be the equivalent. The doctoral degree can be based on various subjects/disciplines and does not need to include disability research. Eligible are candidates who have previous research qualifications relevant to this position and the DISLIFE project.

The ability to carry the research forward and contribute to the DISLIFE project as well as the ability to work independently and in groups are requirements for the employment.

Good ability to perform and complete analyses within given time frames and to communicate in both Swedish and English are also requirements for the employment. 

During the assessment of the candidates, special importance will be given to their research qualifications, which must be of high relevance to the DISLIFE project's fourth research theme (see above) regarding media representations of disabilities. Important assessment is further put on how the research proposed connects to the other DISLIFE themes (1-3) and on the cover letter (see below), in which candidates present their intended research and motivate their interest in the employment and describe their qualifications for it.

The ability to contribute to the DISLIFE project is also considered important. This is based on the candidates written and oral skills as well as on their ability to work independently and in groups in order to conduct research of the highest quality and of international interest. 

Other desirable qualifications
• Doctoral degree in media or disability research is a merit
• Experience of similar tasks is also a merit

Application
The application must provide the following documents in English or Swedish: 

(1) A Cover Letter which candidates present their intended research and motivate their interest in the employment and describe their qualifications for it (1-2 pp)
(2) Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of degree certificates (education degrees, date of thesis defense, current and previous positions, grants, awards, research collaborations)
(3) Publication list with copies of the 3-5 most  important works, the thesis included
(4) A list of 2-3 reference persons including their contact details 

The application must be submitted via e-recruiting system Varbi no later than February 21, 2020.

Further information
The senior research assistant is a ten months full-time position (100%) placed at the Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, starting on April 1, 2020, unless otherwise agreed. Connection to a research environment at Umeå University other than the Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies may occur depending on the candidate's research background.

The selected candidate is expected to contribute to the development of the research environment at the department and within the DISLIFE project and is thus required to be present on-site in Umeå to a high degree. 

For more information about the employment, contact Professor Lotta Vikström (+46-90-7866266, lotta.vikstrom@umu.se), or Head of Department, Jonas Nilsson (+46-90-7869990, jonas.nilsson@umu.se).

For information about the department, visit Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies.

We look forward to receiving your application!