[ecrea] ULB - call for application - POST-DOC in Media Studies (Media and conflicts in Africa)

Université libre de Bruxelles - ReSIC (Research center in Information 
and Communication)

Call for applications

Post-doc in Media Studies

“Media and conflicts in the African Great Lakes”



Purpose

The Research Centre in Information and Communication (ReSIC) at 
Université libre de Bruxelles, in the frame of EC-funded project 
INFOCORE coordinated by the University of Munich (LMU) seeks a 
postdoctoral researcher with expertise in African media and more 
specifically in the processes of production, dissemination and reception 
of information through the local media in conflict areas in the Great 
Lakes region.

The INFOCORE project ((in)forming conflict prevention, response and 
resolution: the role of media in violent conflict) is a 3-year long 
collaborative research project gathering 8 research institutions: Ludwig 
Maximilian University Munich (LMU) - Germany, King’s College London 
(KCL) – United Kingdom, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya (IDC) - 
Israël, Hebrew University Jerusalem (HUJI) - Israël, Hellenic Foundation 
for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) - Greece, Global Governance 
Institute (GGI) - Belgium, School of Journalism and PR (SJPR) - 
Macedonia, University Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) - Spain and Université 
libre de Bruxelles (ULB) – Belgium. The project aims at analysing the 
role played by both local and international media, as well as their 
interactions with political and NGO actors, all through the different 
phases of violent conflicts. The project is built on 6 case studies in 
Central Africa (Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi), the 
Balkans and the Middle East.

Major Duties / Responsibilities

The successful candidate will assist in conducting the tasks devoted to 
the Université libre de Bruxelles within the INFOCORE project. He/she 
will primarily focus on gathering and analysing the data related to the 
case studies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Burundi. 
He/she will be in charge of the following tasks:

- Implementing the “Media and publics” work package, led by ULB: 
Development of a theoretical and methodological framework in order to 
analyse media audiences; organization of focus groups in the DRC and 
Burundi, analysis of the processes of media reception in a conflict 
situation.

- Gathering, in the DRC, Burundi and Brussels, the necessary data for 
the other work packages of the project: media content; interviews with 
journalists, political leaders and NGO staff;

- Writing the several reports (mid-term and final) expected according to 
the convention signed with the European Commission.

- Contributing to the dissemination of the scientific knowledge produced 
within the project through activities, which will include both academic 
and applied work (peer-reviewed publications, presentations, technical 
reports, web content, technical assistance).

The implementation of the research will necessitate travels for 
fieldwork in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi.

Qualifications

Position requires

1. a Ph.D. in a discipline within the social sciences, with a focus on 
and/or experience in media analysis (press and/or broadcasting)

2. capacities and experience in designing, implementing, and analysing 
research related to media production and consumption, and a proven 
record of publication and productivity. Experience in qualitative data 
collection (interviews, small group elicitations, etc.) and analysis is 
highly desirable

3. a good knowledge of the political and social context in Sub-Saharan 
Africa and in particular in the Great lakes region (Specific skills 
regarding to the conflict in the DRC or Burundi will be taken into account)

4. excellent French and English language oral and written communication 
skills to conduct interviews, analyse media content and articulate a 
presentation in front of scientific or experts audiences in both 
languages. A basic knowledge of the local languages in the DRC (lingala 
and swahili) or Burundi (kirundi) would be very much appreciated.

5. an ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

6. willingness and ability to acquire readily, sufficient technical 
knowledge about the tools developed within the project (e.g. softwares 
used for project management or media content analysis)

Applicants must have received their most recent degree not more than 
five years prior to the date of application.

This position is a temporary, full-time assignment for 1 year, renwable 
twice (maximum 3 years in total), contingent on successful performance 
and continued funding.

Timeline

Applications must be sent to Marie-Soleil Frère ((msfrere /at/ ulb.ac.be)) 
before 1 March 2014.



Applications should include:

- a detailed C.V.

- a letter of motivation

- copies of the relevant documents



Pre-selected candidates will be notified within two weeks.

A meeting between the selection committee and the candidate will take 
place between 15 and 31st march 2014.



Position will start on 1st May 2014.






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