[Commlist] postdoctoral researcher in (digital) Russian studies

The Aleksanteri Institute of the University of Helsinki invites 
applications for an enthusiastic and creative

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN (DIGITAL) RUSSIAN STUDIES (18 MONTHS)

for a fixed term of 18 months from 1 May 2019, or as soon as possible 
thereafter. The position is associated with the University of Helsinki 
Three-Year Project Strategies of Persuasion: Russian Propaganda in the 
Algorithmic Age (2019-2021) led by dr. Mariëlle Wijermars.

The project examines what strategies of persuasion are employed by 
Russian state-aligned media and other relevant actors to frame and 
disseminate strategic communications within traditional and digital 
media environments. It investigates how these strategies have evolved in 
response to the changing technological environment in the current 
algorithmic age. How does propaganda work in the age of social media, 
recommender systems and botnets? The project is based at the Aleksanteri 
Institute and associated with the Digital Russia Studies initiative. For 
more information, 
see https://blogs.helsinki.fi/digital-russia-studies/projects/strategies-of-persuasion. 


QUALIFICATIONS

The appointee will study social media platforms (e.g. VKontakte, 
Odnoklassniki, Facebook) and YouTube to examine how disinformation 
campaigns use structural affordances of online news dissemination, such 
as algorithmic ranking and recommender systems, to amplify their reach. 
Using computational methods, the research conducted by the appointee 
will help gain a better understanding of how disinformation spreads, how 
an item is made to go viral, and how users engage with this type of 
information.

Candidates must hold a doctoral degree and be able to conduct 
independent scholarly work. Solid knowledge of social network analysis 
and quantitative research methods is a requisite; proven ability to 
employ advanced digital research methods, such as machine learning 
approaches, or the capacity and willingness to acquire skills in this 
domain, will be a great advantage. The candidate is expected to have 
excellent command of Russian; proficiency in other Central and/or East 
European languages would be an asset. The appointee is expected to 
contribute c. 3 peer-reviewed articles. Precise research tasks will be 
defined in collaboration with the project leader. The appointee will 
also contribute to the activities of the research project, such as 
coordinating collaboration with (inter)national network partners, 
teaching and organizing project workshops and seminars. Good social 
skills and a pro-active attitude are naturally assets. The working 
language is English. The appointee will be based in Helsinki for the 
entire duration of the appointment. If needed, the starting date, 1 May 
2019, is negotiable.

SALARY AND TRIAL PERIOD

Monthly gross salary for the position varies between 3150 and 3550 
euros, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. The 
contract will include a six-month trial period.

Health care services and standard Finnish pension benefits are provided 
for the University employees.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application, together with the required documents, 
through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System 
via https://www.helsinki.fi/en/open-positions/postdoctoral-researcher-in-digital-russian-studies. 
Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested 
to submit their application via the SAP HR portal.

Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the 
following documents as a single pdf file:

1) a curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages) with a separate list of publications,
2) a short description (max. 2 pages) of the applicant’s relevant 
methodological skills and how her or his research interests match the 
Strategies of Persuasion research project,
3) a writing sample of the applicant’s research (e.g. published article, 
doctoral dissertation),
4) the contact information of two referees,
5) and optionally other relevant documents.

The deadline for applications is February 15, 2019.

Technical support for using the University’s electronic recruitment 
system or the SAP HR portal: (rekrytointi /at/ helsinki.fi).

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please contact project leader dr. Mariëlle 
Wijermars, (marielle.wijermars /at/ helsinki.fi). The decision will be 
communicated in early March.


        DUE DATE

15.02.2019 23:59 EET

The University of Helsinki is the oldest and largest institution of 
academic education in Finland, an international scientific community of 
40,000 students and researchers. In international university rankings, 
the University of Helsinki typically ranks among the top 100. The 
University of Helsinki seeks solutions for global challenges and creates 
new ways of thinking for the best of humanity.

The Aleksanteri Institute functions as a national centre of research, 
study and expertise pertaining to Russia and Eastern Europe, 
particularly in the social sciences and humanities. We offer our 
researchers an international and inspiring research environment in the 
centre of Helsinki, with excellent research infrastructure (including 
Integrum database, diverse electronic resources of the University of 
Helsinki and the world-famous Slavonic library). The Centre of 
Excellence in Russian studies funded by the Academy of Finland, a 
visiting scholars programme and a wide network of scholars conducting 
research on Russia are also part of our dynamic research community. More 
information on the Aleksanteri Institute is available on the 
webpage http://www.helsinki.fi/aleksanteri/english/.


---------------
The COMMLIST
---------------
This mailing list is a free service offered by Nico Carpentier. Please use it responsibly and wisely.
--
To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit http://commlist.org/
--
Before sending a posting request, please always read the guidelines at http://commlist.org/
--
To contact the mailing list manager:
Email: (nico.carpentier /at/ vub.ac.be)
URL: http://nicocarpentier.net
---------------