Researcher Position In Quantitative Media Trust Research At Mediafutures

UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

There is a vacancy for a Researcher position at MediaFutures: Research Centre for Responsible Media Technology & Innovation. The position is for a period of 2 years, starting in the spring of 2025. We are looking for an ambitious and self-motivated colleague to join us in MediaFutures: Research Centre for Responsible Media Technology & Innovation. Priorities will be given to candidates who are willing to explore questions related to media trust through quantitative approaches.

MediaFutures is a centre for research-based innovation at the Department for Information Science and Media Studies at the University of Bergen and is located at Media City Bergen. The centre is a part of the Norwegian Research Council’s Research-based Innovation scheme. MediaFutures is cooperating with industry partners from news media and media technology research topics like media experiences and trust, recommender technology, content production and analysis, content interaction and availability, and Norwegian language technology. The goal is to develop responsible technological solutions to societal challenges like AI, fake news, echo chambers, and political polarisation. The results will be new digital tools, analysis methods, and content types for the future of media. The centre performs research training within media technology and innovation. This creates outputs such as new prototypes, research articles, and software, as well as innovative start-up companies.

Read more about the centre at www.mediafutures.no.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct quantitative studies on user behavior by:
  • Statistically analyzing datasets provided by MediaFutures' industry partners, including other data sets provided by the research community
  • Designing and executing online surveys and experiments of varying scales (e.g., surveys on news trust).
• Partner with industry stakeholders to address long-term challenges in media trust and provide innovative insights.
• Publish research outcomes in leading conferences and journals.
• Develop demonstrable prototypes to be showcased at the MediaFutures Annual Meeting.
• Participate in secondments with MediaFutures industry partners to enhance collaboration and practical applications.
• The candidate will submit a research plan within 3 months after the start and approved by the center’s director. Personnel responsibility rests with the center leader.

Expected Outcomes

• The successful candidate will produce impactful research that supports MediaFutures' industry partners and contributes to understanding media trust in the digital era.

Why Join Us?

• You will be part of a vibrant and collaborative research environment, working at the intersection of academia and industry. Your work will help define how future media is experienced and trusted, contributing to innovations with real-world impact.

• The applicant must hold a Norwegian PhD or an equivalent degree within computational social science, Computer science, communication science, etc. . It is a condition that the PhD thesis has been submitted by the time of application and that the PhD has been awarded by the starting date of the position.
• Experience in quantitative research is a requirement.
• Demonstrated competencies and skills within programming and statistical analyses (e.g., in Python, R, or STATA) are a requirement.
• Insight into relevant research fields such as media use research/journalism is an advantage.
• The applicant must be able to work independently and in a structured manner, as well as have the ability to cooperate with others.
• Proficiency in both written and oral English (this is the working language of the centre).

Potential candidates may be invited to the center for an interview.

• A good and professionally challenging working environment.
• Salary at 624 500 NOK per year (code 1109) on the government salary scale upon appointment. Further promotions are made according to the length of service in the position.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits
• An inclusive workspace at MediaCity Bergen.

For more information about moving to Bergen and Norway, please visit https://www.uib.no/en/node/133625/, and https://www.uib.no/en/hr/74243/what-can-university-bergen-offer-its-employees.

• A cover letter with a brief account of research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
• The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of these must be the main advisor from the PhD program.
• 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).
• A maximum of five publications in your name

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.

The closing date is March 31st 2024. The application has to be marked with: 25/2916

Applications sent by e-mail will not be evaluated.

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting center leader Christoph Trattner or work package leader Erik Knudsen.

Practical questions about the application process should be directed to Adviser – HR, pernille.hole@uib.no.

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

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.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

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