Roskilde University
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Postdoctoral Researcher in Digital Media, Computational Methods and Democracy Roskilde University in Denmark
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Participatory Action Research
Funding
The postdoctoral appointment is full-time for 24 months. The position is governed by the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. No specific salary amount, stipend or tuition information is stated.
Deadline
Jan 10, 2027
Country
Denmark
University
Roskilde University
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About this position
Roskilde University is recruiting one or two postdoctoral researchers for a 24-month project on digital media and the conditions for democratic debate. The positions are based in the Department of Communication and Arts, with affiliation to the Centre for Digital Citizenship and the Digital Media Lab.
The project investigates how digital news media, search engines, social media and AI chatbots represent pressing issues in Danish public debate. It asks whether digital platforms broaden or narrow the range of actors, arguments and viewpoints that citizens encounter, moving beyond established concerns such as misinformation, disinformation, polarisation and hate speech to examine the diversity and scope of issue representation online.
Researchers will contribute to two complementary tools. The Democratic Debate Meter will track and compare representations of selected public issues, including hybrid warfare, agricultural taxation, health services and school reform, across digital platforms using computational digital methods, text analysis and simulated searches. The Live Data Donation Lab will combine data donations with browser-based capture of digital content, working with citizens, journalists and policymakers to study personalised digital environments and how people make sense of public issues.
The postdoctoral researcher will work with project leaders and team members on collecting and analysing digital media data, developing methods for comparing online representations, and interpreting and communicating findings. Depending on expertise, contributions may include computational text analysis, methodological development, public-facing data visualisations, qualitative research, participatory workshops, research publications, reports and other public outputs.
The project brings together computational analysis with qualitative and participatory research in an interdisciplinary environment focused on digitalisation, democracy and methodological innovation. The successful researcher will work closely with Associate Professor Andreas Birkbak and Professor Chris Peters while developing an independent research profile and contributing to international academic and public-facing collaborations.
Funding details
The postdoctoral appointment is full-time for 24 months. The position is governed by the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. No specific salary amount, stipend or tuition information is stated.
What's required
Applicants must hold a PhD, or expect to obtain one by the time of appointment, in a relevant field within the social sciences, humanities or data science. Relevant backgrounds include digital methods, computational social science, science and technology studies, sociology, communication studies, political communication, media studies, information studies, digital humanities or related fields. Candidates should have relevant research experience and publications, interest or experience in computational and digital methods, especially text analysis and digital trace data, and an interest in digital media and democracy. Familiarity with STS, digital methods, media and communication studies, platform studies, controversy mapping or related approaches is relevant. Experience with qualitative, participatory or interpretive methods, interdisciplinary collaboration and communicating research to wider audiences is advantageous. Good command of Danish is essential, and good command of English, including the ability to write and publish research in English, is required.
How to apply
Apply through Roskilde University's job portal at https://ruc.dk/en/job/. Submit an English-language cover letter, CV, education documentation, complete publication list, up to five relevant scientific works, and co-author statements where applicable; include a teaching portfolio if duties include teaching. Applications must be submitted by January 10, 2027.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.