Faculty of Humanities – Amsterdam Centre for Cultural Analysis

Deadline: October 4, 2019

Level of education: PhD

Hours: 30,4 hours per week

Salary indication: €3,389 to €3,773 gross per month, based on 38 hours per week

Vacancy number: 19-618

The Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA) of the Faculty of Humanities is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join the ERC-funded project ‘Data Activism: The Politics of Big Data According to Civil Society' (DATACTIVE), with Dr Stefania Milan as Principal Investigator. DATACTIVE investigates citizens’ engagement with massive data collection.

Located at the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Amsterdam, ASCA is an interdisciplinary research community whose members share a commitment to maintaining a close connection with contemporary cultural and political debates in society at large. Within ASCA they collaborate to provide a stimulating environment for scholars, professionals, and graduate students from the Netherlands and abroad.

The Department of Media Studies offers a multidisciplinary, interactive and international research environment in a leading department (Media and Communication at the University of Amsterdam currently ranks number 1 in the QS World Rankings).

Project description

You have completed (or are about to complete) your PhD dissertation. You are a creative, energetic scholar, able to work independently and as part of a team, and you are willing to support ongoing empirical analysis. You will join a team of eight people working under the leadership of Dr Stefania Milan (the Principal investigator) who collaboratively examine the emerging dynamics of data activism at the intersection of its social and technological dimensions. You will report to Dr Milan and the Project manager.

Your tasks:

• qualitative analysis of interview data ('coding');
• quantitative analysis of Twitter data (using DMI-TCAT);
• dataset management in collaboration with the Project manager;
• maintenance of the open-source data analysis infrastructure;
• contribution to one co-authored publication based on the analyzed data;
• contribution to the organization of project-related research activities and events as needed.

Funded by the European Research Council, the DATACTIVE project explores citizen engagement with emerging data practices and cultures. It is in its fifth and last year.

Requirements

• PhD degree in the social sciences (or close to finishing; defence date preferred);
• demonstrable methodological skills and experience with coding interview data;
• technical skills in working in open-source digital environments and with analytical software;
• familiarity with Political Sociology, Social Movement Studies, Science and Technology Studies, and neighbouring disciplines;
• keen interest in interdisciplinary research methods and approaches;
• ability and willingness to work in a team;
• excellent command of English (written and spoken). Familiarity with other languages, and Spanish in particular, is an asset.

Start date: ASAP

Location: Department of Media Studies, UvA (no remote).

Further information

Further information about the project may be found on the project website: https://www.uva.nl/en/content/vacancies/2019/09/19-618-postdoctoral-fellow-datactive-project.html?z&1570098205905

You may also contact:

Jeroen de Vos, Project manager

Appointment

The candidate will be appointed for a period of 4 months, 0.8 fte, at the Department of Media Studies of the Faculty of Humanities, starting as soon as possible. The research will be carried out under the aegis of ASCA. The gross monthly salary will range between €3,389 to €3,773, based on 38 hours per week. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Job application

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

Your application must consist of one pdf or word document including the following:

• an up-to-date CV, including a list of past and forthcoming publications;
• a 1-page cover letter outlining your motivations to join the project and illustrating how you meet the requirements for the position;
• contact details, including phone number, of two referees.

Please submit your application no later than 4 October 2019. #LI-DNP