[Air-L] Postdoc and PhD Position at Media Change & Innovation Division, Zurich

Mon Oct 16 05:47:08 PDT 2017

The Media Change & Innovation Division (Prof. Michael Latzer, http://www.mediachange.ch) at the IPMZ - Institute of Mass Communication and Media Research, University of Zurich is hiring:

1 Postdoc (60%)
and
1 Doctoral researcher / PhD student (60%)

in Internet & Society / Algorithm Studies

Please find the individual job descriptions below.

Starting date: January 2018 or as agreed upon

Please send your application with the usual documents and a letter of motivation (one pdf file) to Dr. Moritz B¸chi: m.buechi at ipmz.uzh.ch. Additionally, please attach a representative scientific contribution (publication in a scientific journal or excerpt from your doctoral dissertation for the position of the postdoc; or a scientific publication or Masterís thesis for the position of the doctoral researcher).

The selection process will begin in mid-November 2017. However, the job offers remain open until qualified candidates are found.

The University of Zurich strives for the equality of men and women in academic positions and therefore particularly invites applications of qualified female researchers.

Job description: Postdoc (60%) in Internet & Society or Algorithm Studies
The position is initially fixed-term (1 year) but can be renewed for up to 5 additional years. An increase of employment percentage through third-party funds is envisaged. The workplace is Zurich and the starting date is January 2018 or as agreed upon.

Job specifications:
-Participation in the research projects The Significance of Algorithmic Selection for Everyday Life (survey, tracking, interviews; especially in the domains of information seeking and social and political orientation on the Internet, bias, manipulation) and/or World Internet Project ñ Switzerland (representative survey on Internet usage of the Swiss population and attitudes towards topics like online privacy, participation, digital well-being etc.)
-Further academic qualification along the lines of the division´s research and teaching areas
-Publications and conference participation
-Teaching
-Student supervision and administrative tasks

We offer:
-Excellent conditions for research on highly topical issues
-Integration into a highly motivated and globally connected team at a leading institute for communication sciences in Europe 
-Opportunity for additional training in theory and also in qualitative as well as quantitative methods 
-Opportunity to deepen didactical skills
-Adequate payment

Job requirements:
-Completed doctorate in communication sciences or a related discipline in the social sciences 
-Research experience reflected in publications, or a trajectory of potential publications, on relevant topics in communication research
-Prior knowledge of or high interest in the divisionís main areas of research (see http://www.mediachange.ch)
-Very good knowledge of quantitative research methods and their application; experience with statistical and other analysis software (R skills of advantage)
-Experience in survey methods, tracking and big data analysis of advantage
-Experience in qualitative research methods of advantage
-Very good command of written and spoken German strongly desired; excellent command of English; further foreign language competence (especially Swiss national languages) of advantage, intent to acquire and improve German language skills for non-native speakers
-Strong team orientation
-Accurate and reliable working attitude

Job description: Doctoral researcher / PhD student (60%) in Internet & Society or Algorithm Studies
The position is initially fixed-term (1 year) but can be renewed for up to 5 additional years. An increase of employment percentage through third-party funds is envisaged. The workplace is Zurich and the starting date is January 2018 or as agreed upon.

Job specifications:
-Participation in the research projects The Significance of Algorithmic Selection for Everyday Life (survey, tracking, interviews; especially in the domains of information seeking and social and political orientation on the Internet, bias, manipulation) and/or World Internet Project Switzerland (representative survey on Internet usage of the Swiss population and attitudes towards topics like online privacy, participation, digital well-being etc.)
-Further academic qualification (doctoral dissertation) along the lines of the division´s research and teaching areas
-Publications and conference participation
-Teaching
-Student supervision and administrative tasks

We offer:
-Excellent conditions for research on highly topical issues 
-Integration into a highly motivated and globally connected team at a leading institute for communication sciences in Europe 
-Opportunity for personal training in theory and also in qualitative as well as quantitative methods 
-Opportunity to acquire and deepen didactical skills
-Adequate payment

Job requirements:
-Outstanding degree in communication sciences or a related discipline in the social sciences (Master or equivalent)
-Interest in further academic qualification (doctoral dissertation), research experience desirable
-Prior knowledge of or high interest in the divisionís main areas of research (see http://www.mediachange.ch)
-Knowledge of quantitative research methods and their application; experience with statistical and other analysis software (R skills desirable)
-Experience in survey methods, tracking and big data analysis desirable
-Experience in qualitative research methods desirable
-Fluent in spoken and written German and English, further foreign language competence (especially Swiss national languages) desirable
-Strong team orientation
-Accurate and reliable working attitude

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Prof. Michael Latzer, IPMZ - University of Zurich,
Chair, Media Change & Innovation Division 
mediachange.ch
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* Just, Natascha / Büchi, Moritz / Latzer, Michael (2017): A Blind Spot in Public Broadcasters' Discovery of the Public: How the Public Values Public Service. In: International Journal of Communication, 11, 992-101. http://www.mediachange.ch/media//pdf/publications/Just_2017_PSB.pdf
* Bauer, J. M./Latzer, M. eds. (2016). Handbook on the Economics of the Internet. Edward Elgar.  http://www.e-elgar.com/shop/handbook-on-the-economics-of-the-internet    
* Just, N./Latzer, M. (2016). Governance by Algorithms: Reality Construction by Algorithmic Selection on the Internet. In: Media, Culture & Society. 
http://mcs.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/04/20/0163443716643157.abstract
* Büchi, M./Just, N./Latzer, M.  (2016). Caring is not enough: The importance of Internet skills for online privacy protection. In: Information, Communication & Society, http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1369118X.2016.1229001.
* Büchi, M./Just, N./Latzer, M. (2015). Modeling the second-level digital divide: A five-country study of social differences in Internet use. In: New Media & Society. 
http://nms.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/09/08/1461444815604154.abstract
* Saurwein, F./Just, N./Latzer, M. (2015). Governance of Algorithms: Options and Limitations. Info. 
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/info-05-2015-0025