[Commlist] PhD position in Media and Communication at Uppsala University

https://uu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:303291/


PhD position in Media and Communication
Uppsala University, Department of Informatics and Media

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with 
a strong international standing. Our mission is to pursue top-quality 
research and education and to interact constructively with society. Our 
most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and 
dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting 
workplaces. Uppsala University has 44.000 students, 7.100 employees and 
a turnover of SEK 7 billion.

The Department of Informatics and Media 
(http://www.im.uu.se/?languageId=1) has a broad research profile based 
on research in the disciplines Media and Communication Studies, 
Human-Computer Interaction and Information Systems. In Media and 
Communication Studies research is focused on social and cultural change 
connected to communication, media and digitalization. The accepted 
candidate must have been admitted as doctoral student to the Department 
of Informatics and Media and the PhD program in Media and Communication 
Studies.

This PhD student position is part of the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous 
Systems and Software Program on Humanities and Society (WASP-HS) and 
aims to realize excellent research and develop competence on the 
consequences and challenges of artificial intelligence and autonomous 
systems for the individual person and society. This 10-year program is 
initiated and generously funded by the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg 
Foundation (MMW) with 660 million SEK. In addition to this, the program 
receives support from collaborating industry and from participating 
universities. Major goals are more than 10 new faculty positions and 
more than 70 new PhDs. For more information about the research and other 
activities conducted within WASP-HS please visit http://wasp-hs.org/.

The WASP-HS graduate school provides foundations, perspectives, and 
state-of-the-art knowledge in the different disciplines taught by 
leading researchers in the field. Through an ambitious program with 
research visits, partner universities, and visiting lecturers, the 
graduate school actively supports forming a strong multi-disciplinary 
and international professional network between PhD students, researchers 
and practitioners in the field. It thus provides added value on top of 
the existing PhD programs at the partner universities, providing unique 
opportunities for students who are dedicated to achieving international 
research excellence with societal relevance.

Duties/Project description: The position is a fully salaried PhD student 
position (doktorandtjänst), equivalent to a maximum of four-year 
full-time PhD studies. The holder of the PhD student position shall 
primarily devote her/himself to her/his own doctoral study (see theme 
below). Active participation in departmental activities as well as 
activities within the WASP-HS graduate school is expected. Other tasks, 
including teaching and administrative work, can also be part of the 
employment (for a maximum of 20%). The language of teaching is English.

The project BioMe: Existential Challenges and Ethical Imperatives of 
Biometric AI in Everyday Lifeworlds, headed by Associate Professor 
Amanda Lagerkvist in the Department of Informatics and Media at Uppsala 
University, sets out to study the ever-growing role of biometrics within 
the human lifeworld. From the perspective of how humans experience these 
technologies, the project will study a range of phenomena, for example 
voice- and face recognition algorithms in preemptive policing driven by 
meta-data, health apps, biometric passports, smart home devices, as well 
as sensory data capture on screens. Beyond provoking immediate questions 
about privacy infringement and security, biometrics is at our 
fingertips, nailing us to personality types, proclaiming ‘risky 
individuals’, and discerning our desires, value and psychic health, thus 
evoking even larger existential and ethical questions about human 
dignity, social prejudice and transparency. The project focuses on both 
possibilities as well as challenges and vulnerabilities of these 
technologies: how our existence, what singles us out as individuals, is 
impacted by datafication; how people experience biometrics in their 
lives and in their work lives; how the surveillance aspects of 
biometrics affect exposed groups, such as migrants and HBTQ+-groups, and 
how artistic interventions may challenge these developments.

Within the framework of BioMe the hired doctoral candidate is expected 
to contribute to new knowledge about both the limits of biometric 
technologies, and of strategies of living against facial recognition and 
other technologies that turn bodies into data, through machine-based 
measurement and statistical analysis of people's unique physical 
characteristics. In addition to offering knowledge about consequences of 
AI, in line with the aims of WASP-HS, this PhD project will discern 
potential alternatives to the developments at hand. This dissertation 
will add to the project an in-depth interrogation of various existential 
strategies for challenging and evading biometrics, thereby also 
highlighting those ethical issues and potential resolves discernible at 
the limits of biometrics.

Requirements: For admission to the PhD program in Media and 
Communication Studies, an applicant must have basic and specific 
eligibility prescribed by the Faculty of Social Sciences. Anyone with a 
degree on the advanced level (i.e. a master’s degree), that has 
completed course requirements of at least 240 credits (including at 
least 60 credits at advanced level) has fulfilled the basic entry 
requirements. The specific eligibility requirements for admission to the 
PhD program in Media and Communication require that the applicant has 
passed courses of 90 credits in Media and Communication Studies. Anyone 
that in any other way, in or out of the country, has acquired equivalent 
knowledge is also considered to fulfil the basic or specific eligibility 
requirements, respectively. We are seeking a candidate with well 
documented knowledge in media and communication studies. Knowledge in 
philosophy, information systems and computer science is a merit.

Candidates should have a good overview of the humanities and/or the 
social sciences and a strong interest in research. Great importance will 
be attached to the candidate's personal suitability for the post. Sought 
for qualifications are teamwork abilities, initiative, independence and 
a reflective and analytic approach. Very good communicative skills are 
required, including the excellent command of written and spoken English.

When the University employs new doctoral students, the candidates will 
be chosen who after a qualitative evaluation of competence and skills 
are deemed to have the best capacity to fulfill work duties as well as 
contributing to a positive development of the research environment. Of 
vital importance is the capacity to finish the doctoral program.

Qualifications must be documented so that quality as well as extent can 
be evaluated. Candidates should be available for interview, either in 
person in Uppsala or via Internet.

Additional qualifications:

A complete application must include:

    Filled out form applying for admission to the doctoral program in 
Media and Communication Studies. 
http://uadm.uu.se/digitalAssets/81/81624_ansokan_forskarniva_eng.pdf
    A short letter documenting 1) The motives why you are applying, 
your research interest and relevant experiences for the PhD student post 
(max 500 words) 2) A list of the documents handed in to support the 
application 3) If more than one academic work is handed in, you should 
name one of them to be prioritized by the admission committee.
    A dissertation plan (two pages). The plan should cover theoretical 
approach, aim, research questions, type of data, method and time plan, 
and relate itself to the project BioMe and the aims of WASP-HS.
    Curriculum Vitae/Résumé, including English proficiency with 
certified transcript(s) of your academic record/degree(s) to date, 
proving the basic and specific eligibility.
    Two letters of recommendation
    A copy of independently written work produced within the 
applicant’s course of studies (e.g. bachelor or master thesis; include a 
draft if not completed) or other relevant text(s)
    Other documents the applicant may wish to attach, e.g. English test 
results.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Further information on PhD studies at Uppsala University: 
https://www.uu.se/en/admissions/phd-studies/

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education 
Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and 
guidelines http://regler.uu.se/?languageId=1s

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes 
equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute 
to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications 
from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.

Starting date: 2020-08-31 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education 
Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact: Jenny 
Eriksson Lundström, Head of Department: (jenny.eriksson /at/ im.uu.se) , Amanda 
Lagerkvist, Researcher: (amanda.lagerkvist /at/ im.uu.se) ; Göran Svensson, 
Head of Subject MCS: (goran.svensson /at/ im.uu.se)

Please submit your application by 20 January 2020, UFV-PA 2019/4223.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If 
so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in 
Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact 
International Faculty and Staff Services at (ifss /at/ uadm.uu.se).

Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services. 
Applications must be submitted as described in this advertisement.
Type of employment 	Temporary position longer than 6 months
Contract type 	Full time
First day of employment 	2020-08-31
Salary 	Fixed salary
Number of positions 	1
Working hours 	100 %
City 	Uppsala
County 	Uppsala län
Country 	Sweden
Reference number 	UFV-PA 2019/4223
Union representative 	

    Seko Universitetsklubben, (seko /at/ uadm.uu.se)
    ST/TCO, (tco /at/ fackorg.uu.se)
    Saco-rådet, (saco /at/ uadm.uu.se)

Published 	05.Dec.2019
Last application date 	20.Jan.2020 11:59 PM CET

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