Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies

Deadline: October 18, 2019

Apply here

Two posts to conduct research and provide administrative support to an AHRC funded project entitled Countering disinformation: enhancing journalistic legitimacy in public service media

The posts are full time and fixed term for 24 months.

Salary: £33,797 - £40,322 per annum (Grade 6), the salary for each post will not exceed £36,261.

Date Advert Posted: Wednesday, 18 September 2019

Closing date: Friday, 18 October 2019

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

Research

• To conduct quantitative and qualitative research on countering political disinformation in public service media, including content analysis and/or focus groups and interviews.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including project planning, progress updates and dissemination.
• To review and synthesise existing literature within the field, including academic research and policy documents.
• To present research at national and international conferences/industry seminars as appropriate.
• To create and nurture relevant research networks to include academics, alternative media and mainstream media editors and journalists, as well as media policy makers in order to pursue opportunities for collaboration and dissemination.
• To assist with organising workshops and events associated with the research project together with the PI and Co-I.
• To co-publish in high quality peer-reviewed international journals.
• To assist with management of the project website and social media accounts.
• To participate in School research activities.

Other

• To contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional, national and international profile.
• To undergo professional development that is appropriate to the post and which will enhance the post holders’ research and project management skills.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role of research assistant.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area (or a submitted PhD not yet examined) or relevant industrial experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience, which relates to debates about political disinformation in at least one of the following research fields:

• Journalism Studies
• Political Communication

3. Proven ability to generate academic peer reviewed outputs and/or industry reports and/or policy briefings in one of the areas identified above.

4. Evidence of knowledge and understanding of debates about how political disinformation is –or could be – countered by UK public service media.

5. Proven ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative research in content analysis, focus groups and interviews, or in either content analysis or focus groups and interviews

6. Evidence of project administration.

Communication and Team Working

7. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication, particularly with industry and policy-makers.

8. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity and innovation, particularly in the dissemination of research.

9. Proven ability to work independently and supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals as part of a small research team.

Desirable Criteria

10. Evidence of innovative collaboration with journalism industry and/or media policy-makers.

11. Experience of using NVivo software to analyse interview data.

12. Experience of using SPSS to analyse media content analysis data.

13. Experience of managing a research project website (e.g. WordPress) and a social media account (e.g. Twitter).

Additional Information

Countering disinformation: enhancing journalistic legitimacy in public service media is an AHRC funded project that will examine the production and output of disinformation reporting in UK news media, as well as how audiences understand and engage with it. We aim to work with leading news organisations to enhance their disinformation reporting and, ultimately, raise public knowledge and understanding of public affairs.

The post holder will report directly to the PI and will support the PI and Co-I by reviewing the academic and policy literature about countering disinformation, carrying out content analysis of news and/or focus groups with news users, as well as interviews with journalists and editors. He/She will also help co-publish work in high-quality journals, and assist with dissemination and impact activities including conferences and other public outputs.

Salary Range: 33,797-40,322

Job Category: Academic - Research

Grade: Grade 6