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Postdoctoral Researcher in OSINT & Information Disorder

  • Faculty of Humanities
  • 13781
  • PhD
  • €3.378 - €5.331
  • 38 hours
  • Closes on
    26-02-2025
Apply

Postdoctoral Researcher in OSINT & Information Disorder

  • Faculty of Humanities
  • 13781
  • PhD
  • €3.378 - €5.331
  • 38 hours
  • Closes on
    26-02-2025
Apply

Working at the UvA

Join our team!

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the European Union-funded project Social Media for Democracy (SoMe4Dem) focusing on the role of social media in democracy. The research will address information disorder-the rising tide of disinformation, misinformation, and conspiracy theories-using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques. The ideal candidate will combine quali-quantitative methods to explore how epistemological challenges shape information disorders in digital ecosystems, with a particular focus on theory-building within media theory.

The postdoc will be expected to contribute to the development of conceptual frameworks and empirical models to understand how disinformation spreads, the role of media ecosystems, and the sociotechnical dynamics that underpin information disorder. Research will center on pistemological questions around trust, truth, and credibility in the digital age.

Working at the UvA

Join our team!

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the European Union-funded project Social Media for Democracy (SoMe4Dem) focusing on the role of social media in democracy. The research will address information disorder-the rising tide of disinformation, misinformation, and conspiracy theories-using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques. The ideal candidate will combine quali-quantitative methods to explore how epistemological challenges shape information disorders in digital ecosystems, with a particular focus on theory-building within media theory.

The postdoc will be expected to contribute to the development of conceptual frameworks and empirical models to understand how disinformation spreads, the role of media ecosystems, and the sociotechnical dynamics that underpin information disorder. Research will center on pistemological questions around trust, truth, and credibility in the digital age.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will be doing

  • Design and conduct research under the guidance of the project leader, using OSINT to analyze the spread of disinformation on social media platform.
  • Publish in peer-reviewed academic journals and present findings at international conferences.
  • Employ quali-quantitative methods (e.g., data analysis, discourse analysis, network studies) to examine the dynamics of information disorder.
  • Contribute to theory-building by integrating insights from media theory to better understand the epistemological complexities of "truth" in digital spaces.
  • Engage in collaborative discussions with project partners across the EU to refine theoretical frameworks and practical solutions for mitigating information disorder.

This is what we ask of you

  • PhD in Media Studies or related fields or equivalent professional experience.
  • Experience in OSINT, especially within social media contexts.
  • Strong background in quali-quantitative research methods.
  • Familiarity with media theory, particularly as applied to information technologies.
  • Knowledge of information disorder (disinformation, misinformation, conspiracy theories) and the epistemological challenges of discerning truth online.
  • Proven track record of academic publishing and communication.

This is what  we offer you

  • A unique opportunity to shape theory and practice in understanding the digital challenges to democracy;
  • Excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
  • An inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will be doing

  • Design and conduct research under the guidance of the project leader, using OSINT to analyze the spread of disinformation on social media platform.
  • Publish in peer-reviewed academic journals and present findings at international conferences.
  • Employ quali-quantitative methods (e.g., data analysis, discourse analysis, network studies) to examine the dynamics of information disorder.
  • Contribute to theory-building by integrating insights from media theory to better understand the epistemological complexities of "truth" in digital spaces.
  • Engage in collaborative discussions with project partners across the EU to refine theoretical frameworks and practical solutions for mitigating information disorder.

This is what we ask of you

  • PhD in Media Studies or related fields or equivalent professional experience.
  • Experience in OSINT, especially within social media contexts.
  • Strong background in quali-quantitative research methods.
  • Familiarity with media theory, particularly as applied to information technologies.
  • Knowledge of information disorder (disinformation, misinformation, conspiracy theories) and the epistemological challenges of discerning truth online.
  • Proven track record of academic publishing and communication.

This is what  we offer you

  • A unique opportunity to shape theory and practice in understanding the digital challenges to democracy;
  • Excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
  • An inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you'll be working

The Postdoc researcher will be appointed as Researcher 4 in the Department of Media Studies, Faculty of Humanities and will conduct the research in ASCA. The postdoc position in the project, Social Media for Democracy (SoMe4Dem) is formerly located in the Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA) and led by main researcher Prof. Richard Rogers. ASCA is one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR) and Rogers is based in Media Studies as well as in the Digital Methods Initiative, Humanities Labs.

Organisational unit

The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

This is where you'll be working

The Postdoc researcher will be appointed as Researcher 4 in the Department of Media Studies, Faculty of Humanities and will conduct the research in ASCA. The postdoc position in the project, Social Media for Democracy (SoMe4Dem) is formerly located in the Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA) and led by main researcher Prof. Richard Rogers. ASCA is one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR) and Rogers is based in Media Studies as well as in the Digital Methods Initiative, Humanities Labs.

Organisational unit

The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Important to know

Your application & contact

The position is for up to 12 months, with a preferred starting date of 1 March 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position ends on 1 March 2026. We encourage applications from candidates with a strong interdisciplinary approach to research. Please send your application before 26 February 2025.

If you have any questions about the position or the department, please contact during office hours:

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Read more

Important to know

Your application & contact

The position is for up to 12 months, with a preferred starting date of 1 March 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position ends on 1 March 2026. We encourage applications from candidates with a strong interdisciplinary approach to research. Please send your application before 26 February 2025.

If you have any questions about the position or the department, please contact during office hours:

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.

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