Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Citizens, media and democracy
Deadline: 15.08.2024
The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.
Through robust and close interaction with the world around us – globally, nationally and locally – we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.
Do you want to take part in shaping the future?
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. 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 3 years.
About the project and 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. We are primarily using qualitative methods and concentrate on different social groups to understand how they connect to the public and engage with politics in a broad sense. We are interested in groups which tend to get little attention from researchers, or which are less visible in public debate. Current team members are planning and carrying out studies of immigrant groups, citizens in rural communities, and women in precarious jobs in Norway.
We are looking for a postdoctoral research fellow to complement our team. We encourage innovative proposals from across disciplines. 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 postdoctoral fellow is expected to suggest one or more relevant social groups to study in Norway or similar societies, and also suggest how to conduct an analysis. We don’t require the successful applicant to speak Norwegian but expect them to join our team here in Bergen.
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 citizens 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.
Potential candidates may be invited to the department for an interview.
Applicants are advised to familiarize themselves with:
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.
Hallvard Moe (2023) Operationalizing distribution as a key concept for public sphere theory. A call for ethnographic sensibility of different social worlds (2023) Communication Theory, 33 (2-3), 112-121. https://doi.org/10.1093/ct/qtad008
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 624 500 NOK per year (code 1352) on the government salary scale upon appointment (equivalent to pay grade 64). 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
The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. Age and gender balance among employees is therefore a goal. It is also a goal to recruit people with immigrant backgrounds. 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.
