UIO Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Department of Media and Communication
Reimagining AI
Job description
A four-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1352) is available at the Department of Media and Communication, University of Oslo.
The position is associated with HumAIn: A humanities hub for the reimagination of AI project (uio.no), funded by the Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo. The candidate is expected to develop a research project closely connected to the main project.
About the project
HumAIn is an interdisciplinary humanities hub and collaborative research project aimed at investigating the imaginaries and narratives surrounding and embedded within AI, with an explicit focus on creating and reimagining new AI stories. To stake out a new path for research on critical AI studies from a humanities perspective, HumAIn fosters a proactive and creative engagement with AI that includes but goes beyond critique.
The hub is designed to facilitate a dynamic interplay between interpretation and creativity, emphasizing both methodological and narrative innovation, and showcase the potential for humanities approaches to shape and reimagine what AI is and can be. HumAIn is organized into three interrelated collaboratories with team members from different disciplines and departments working together on exploring the textual, affective, and speculative aspects of AI.
More about the position
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow is expected to pursue a research project within the framework and aims of the HumAIn project. Individual and original research ideas are highly encouraged, and priority is given to candidates whose proposals detail a concrete project focusing on reimagining AI in new and creative ways. The proposed projects may for example investigate (but not limited to): the cultural and political imaginaries invested in the stories surrounding and embedded within AI, the ways in which people and institutions experience, interact with, or communicate about AI, and/or countercultural and speculative accounts of AI. Methods and approaches may include (but not limited to): interviews and observation studies; digital methods; historical research; artistic research creation; creative programming and AI experimentation; and/or speculative design. Engagements with mixed-methods and methodological innovation are especially welcome.
We welcome applications from scholars with a recent Ph.D. in media studies, communication, science & technology studies (STS), cultural studies, information systems or other related fields (e.g., sociology, anthropology, history, textual studies, digital humanities, design, human-computer interaction, art history, visual culture, artistic research).
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will be expected to devote their time to their own research agenda as well as working with a dynamic team of humanities and information systems scholars at the University of Oslo on developing and shaping the HumAIn hub and its activities.
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will have a key role in the overall research project, from data collection to analysis and dissemination, organize workshops, develop curriculum and engagement projects, build relationships with external partners and participate in teaching relevant to the hub. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will have the opportunity to work closely with the second HumAIn postdoc, based at the Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages. We ask for potential areas of collaboration, hub activities and/or workshop topics to be highlighted in the application.
The position is available for a period of 4 years. There is a 25 % component of the position which is devoted to teaching and administrative duties. These duties include obtaining basic teaching qualifications.
The successful candidate is expected to become part of the research environment/network of the department and contribute to its development. The main purpose of postdoctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines
Qualification requirements
- PhD or equivalent academic qualifications with a specialization in media studies, communication, science & technology studies (STS), cultural studies, information systems or other related fields (e.g., sociology, anthropology, history, textual studies, digital humanities, design, human-computer interaction, art history, visual culture, artistic research).
- The candidate's research project must be directly connected to the HumAIn project
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
- Personal suitability and motivation for the position
The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.
In the evaluation of the applications, emphasis will be placed on:
- The research project’s scientific merit and HumAIn-related relevance
- The applicant’s estimated academic and personal ability to carry out the project within the allotted time frame
- The applicant’s motivation to contribute to the HumAIn project
- The applicant’s research qualifications, including their publications
- The applicant’s experience with the coordination of research activities, such as organisation of workshops/seminars, conferences, panels, and so on
- Demonstrated interest in conceptual/theory development, research creation and/or methodological innovation
- Good co-operative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines
- Teaching qualifications are not a requirement, but since the postdoc is expected to teach, documented teaching experience can be included in the overall assessment.
We offer
- Salary NOK 575 400 – 657 300 per annum depending on qualifications
- A professionally stimulating working environment
- Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Attractive welfare benefits
How to apply
The application must include
- Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position
- Curriculum Vitae (including a list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities)
- Complete publication list (attached publications must be marked with an asterisk). The list must be structured systematically and divided into the following categories:
- Peer-reviewed publications:
- Monographs and anthologies
- Articles in journals
- Book chapters/anthology contributions, etc
- Non-peer-reviewed publications
- Peer-reviewed publications:
- Project description (between 3-5 pages, 14,000 characters. See Template for project descriptions). The project description must include a feasible progress plan. It is expected that the applicant will be able to complete the project during the period of appointment
- A maximum of three publications that the applicant wishes to be considered
- Documentation of qualifications (exam certificates and PhD diploma)
Please note that all documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Danish or Swedish).
The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, jobbnorge.no.
The short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.
Formal regulations
See also Regulations concerning Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships.
No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.
Following the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants even if the applicant opts out from the entry in the public application list.
The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results.
The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.
Contact information
For questions about the position or requests of the HumAIn project proposal:
Co-PI Associate Professor Alexander Moltubakk Kempton
For questions about how to apply:
About the University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.
The Department of Media and Communication's (IMK) main purpose is to conduct research, education and dissemination on media and communication, and the role of media in society. IMK has approximately 45 employees, of which among half are permanent scientific staff and 15 are temporary staff. There are around 500 active students on different levels. The Department offers a one-year study program on the Bachelor's level and a Bachelor's degree in Media and Communication, in addition to Master's degrees in Media and Communication, Political Communication and Screen Cultures. IMK is a multidisciplinary department, based on the academic traditions of the humanities and social sciences.
