Call for Applications
Post-doctoral researcher at Department of Communication, University of Vienna
Vacancy for a postdoctoral researcher in journalism studies with a focus on audience behaviour at the Journalism Studies Centre in the Department of Communication, University of Vienna. The position is for a period of 3 years and is a fixed-term appointment.
The successful applicant is expected to start by Feb 1, 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter, and will work under the supervision of Professor Folker Hanusch and study audience expectations of news, as part of the research project 'Audience expectations of news in the digital age', funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF).
A PDF version of the job description below can be accessed here.
About the project / work tasks
The project seeks to understand audiences' diverse expectations of the news they consume, and how different forms and genres of news become meaningful and valuable to audiences. By relying on innovative qualitative as well as quantitative methods, the project also aims to increase our understanding of how audience expectations shift across social contexts and to capture the breadth of audiences’ news media consumption repertoires across genres.
Within the project, the postdoc will develop and carry out audience research using a range of innovative ethnographical approaches, focusing on topics such as expectations, everyday news use, digital news media, social media, news media genres.
The postdoc will be based at the University of Vienna, within a dynamic research centre and diverse and interdisciplinary department, and work closely with the project co-PI, Prof. Folker Hanusch and Sandra Banjac. It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment.
About the Department
The Department of Communication at the University of Vienna is one of the world's largest departments for communication science. Set up during the 1940s, the department now has approximately 3,700 students, more than 90 employees and more than 140 teaching staff. The department is currently ranked as one of the top programs for communication research in Europe, and the research is supported by numerous funding agencies, such as the European Union or the Austrian Science Fund.
Vienna's geographic and cultural position as well as the international research orientation make the department a key hub for numerous top-notch research collaborations around the globe. The department has research contacts with many universities from neighbouring countries, but also from the USA and Asia. Consequently, the department regularly welcomes foreign researchers as Visiting Fellows or Guest Professors.
Profile of the position
- A PhD in journalism studies, media studies, communication, digital culture or similar. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded prior to commencement of the position.
- Scientific publications in (international) journals and conference presentations
- Experience in participating in research projects
- Very good methods expertise. Experience with audience research, media use research, and qualitative methods including interviews and focus groups is preferred. Quantitative (survey) methods knowledge is advantageous (but not required). Applicants are encouraged to outline the relevance of their experience and expertise to the position.
- Knowledge of university procedures and structures
- High level of written and oral expression
- Excellent skills in specialized software for data analysis (e.g. MaxQDA, SPSS)
- Work independently as well as have the ability to cooperate with others
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Proficiency in German is desirable (but not required)
Remuneration
- Duration of employment: 3 years
- Extent of Employment: 40 hours/week
Job grading in accordance with FWF standard personnel costs for postdocs, available here.
Application documents
- A letter of motivation including a description of research interests
- Academic curriculum vitae (including a list of publications, past research projects)
- Contact details for two academic referees. One of these must be your main PhD supervisor.
- Transcripts and diplomas and official confirmation that the PhD has been awarded.
- A digital copy of the dissertation, if available
The application must be submitted in English via email to Prof. Folker Hanusch (folker.hanusch@univie.ac.at). For any questions or further information about the position, please contact Professor Hanusch.
The closing date for applications is midnight, Vienna time, on October 1, 2021.
Potential candidates will be interviewed in early October.
The University pursues a non-discriminatory employment policy and values equal opportunities, as well as diversity. The University lays special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female applicants.