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Two Postdoctoral Fellowships on Governance by Data Infrastructure

  • Faculty of Humanities
  • 14067
  • PhD
  • €3.378 - €5.331
  • Closes on
    31-05-2025
Apply

Two Postdoctoral Fellowships on Governance by Data Infrastructure

  • Faculty of Humanities
  • 14067
  • PhD
  • €3.378 - €5.331
  • Closes on
    31-05-2025
Apply

Working at the UvA

Help shape the future of democracy in the data-driven society!

Join a vibrant team exploring how data infrastructures are transforming our world. Are you passionate about how data-driven technologies influence democratic life? Do you want to investigate how digital systems affect citizenship, sovereignty, and inequality—across both Europe and the Global South? The University of Amsterdam’s Department of Media Studies is looking for two curious, committed postdoctoral researchers to join the DATAGOV project, a multi-year international research initiative funded by the European Research Council and led by Professor Stefania Milan.

As a postdoc, you’ll join a close-knit team of six researchers with diverse backgrounds. Together, we study how emerging technologies—such as biometric systems, digital identity tools, health platforms, and education technologies—reshape everyday governance. Each postdoc will lead one of the project’s core empirical work packages: citizenship, sovereignty, or inequality.

Working at the UvA

Help shape the future of democracy in the data-driven society!

Join a vibrant team exploring how data infrastructures are transforming our world. Are you passionate about how data-driven technologies influence democratic life? Do you want to investigate how digital systems affect citizenship, sovereignty, and inequality—across both Europe and the Global South? The University of Amsterdam’s Department of Media Studies is looking for two curious, committed postdoctoral researchers to join the DATAGOV project, a multi-year international research initiative funded by the European Research Council and led by Professor Stefania Milan.

As a postdoc, you’ll join a close-knit team of six researchers with diverse backgrounds. Together, we study how emerging technologies—such as biometric systems, digital identity tools, health platforms, and education technologies—reshape everyday governance. Each postdoc will lead one of the project’s core empirical work packages: citizenship, sovereignty, or inequality.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will be doing

You will contribute to the development of the project’s methodological toolkit, conduct systematic literature reviews, carry out qualitative fieldwork (primarily in South Africa or India), and engage in data analysis. You will publish independently and collaboratively a minimum of three peer-reviewed articles, present at conferences, and participate in public engagement activities. You will also contribute to co-supervise one of the PhD students, contributing to their academic development.

If you’re interested, and if teaching opportunities are available, the remaining 0.2 FTE can be dedicated to paid teaching within the Department of Media Studies—an excellent chance to build your teaching portfolio.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

  • Conduct empirical research under the guidance of the project leader, leading one of three empirical work packages with a focus on non-Western contexts.
  • Contribute to methodological innovation, especially in citizen science, by helping to shape and run the DATAGOV Living Lab.
  • Disseminate research findings through at least three peer-reviewed publications, participation in international conferences, and engagement in public and policy-oriented outreach.
  • Support PhD supervision, contributing to the mentoring of doctoral candidates and gaining valuable supervisory experience.
  • Optional teaching opportunit within the Department of Media Studies, offering the chance to develop teaching skills.

This is what we ask of you

  • You hold a PhD in sociology, political science, science and technology studies (STS), media studies, development studies, digital governance, computational social science, information systems, socially intelligent AI, philosophy, law, or a related field.
  • You bring experience in interdisciplinary research and social science methods, such as qualitative and participatory approaches, computational techniques, or feminist and indigenous methodologies.
  • You thrive in collaborative environments, while also being self-driven, proactive, and capable of fostering teamwork.
  • You are organised and focused, able to juggle multiple responsibilities and maintain resilience under pressure.
  • You enjoy writing for both academic and public audiences, and excel at communicating complex ideas clearly and engagingly.
  • You are committed to mentoring and supporting the academic growth of junior team members.
  • You value meaningful engagement with societal actors, including NGOs, policymakers, artists, and community organizations.

This is what else we offer you

  • A four-year postdoctoral contract at 0.8 FTE fully dedicated to research, with the option to allocate the remaining 0.2 FTE to compensated teaching (subject to availability).
  • A collaborative and international research team that values intellectual curiosity, mutual support, and academic independence.
  • Opportunities for supervision and mentorship, including co-supervising PhD candidates within the DATAGOV team.
  • A vibrant academic culture, with regular research seminars, writing retreats, and informal gatherings to foster collegiality.
  • Dedicated travel funding to support participation in international conferences, workshops, and summer schools.
  • A workplace in the heart of Amsterdam, and a vibrant, international academic environment.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will be doing

You will contribute to the development of the project’s methodological toolkit, conduct systematic literature reviews, carry out qualitative fieldwork (primarily in South Africa or India), and engage in data analysis. You will publish independently and collaboratively a minimum of three peer-reviewed articles, present at conferences, and participate in public engagement activities. You will also contribute to co-supervise one of the PhD students, contributing to their academic development.

If you’re interested, and if teaching opportunities are available, the remaining 0.2 FTE can be dedicated to paid teaching within the Department of Media Studies—an excellent chance to build your teaching portfolio.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

  • Conduct empirical research under the guidance of the project leader, leading one of three empirical work packages with a focus on non-Western contexts.
  • Contribute to methodological innovation, especially in citizen science, by helping to shape and run the DATAGOV Living Lab.
  • Disseminate research findings through at least three peer-reviewed publications, participation in international conferences, and engagement in public and policy-oriented outreach.
  • Support PhD supervision, contributing to the mentoring of doctoral candidates and gaining valuable supervisory experience.
  • Optional teaching opportunit within the Department of Media Studies, offering the chance to develop teaching skills.

This is what we ask of you

  • You hold a PhD in sociology, political science, science and technology studies (STS), media studies, development studies, digital governance, computational social science, information systems, socially intelligent AI, philosophy, law, or a related field.
  • You bring experience in interdisciplinary research and social science methods, such as qualitative and participatory approaches, computational techniques, or feminist and indigenous methodologies.
  • You thrive in collaborative environments, while also being self-driven, proactive, and capable of fostering teamwork.
  • You are organised and focused, able to juggle multiple responsibilities and maintain resilience under pressure.
  • You enjoy writing for both academic and public audiences, and excel at communicating complex ideas clearly and engagingly.
  • You are committed to mentoring and supporting the academic growth of junior team members.
  • You value meaningful engagement with societal actors, including NGOs, policymakers, artists, and community organizations.

This is what else we offer you

  • A four-year postdoctoral contract at 0.8 FTE fully dedicated to research, with the option to allocate the remaining 0.2 FTE to compensated teaching (subject to availability).
  • A collaborative and international research team that values intellectual curiosity, mutual support, and academic independence.
  • Opportunities for supervision and mentorship, including co-supervising PhD candidates within the DATAGOV team.
  • A vibrant academic culture, with regular research seminars, writing retreats, and informal gatherings to foster collegiality.
  • Dedicated travel funding to support participation in international conferences, workshops, and summer schools.
  • A workplace in the heart of Amsterdam, and a vibrant, international academic environment.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

You will be part of an international, interdisciplinary research team based at the Department of Media Studies. Our team includes three PhD researchers, two postdoctoral fellows, a project manager, a student assistant, and the principal investigator, Prof. Stefania Milan. Team members will be recruited from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds.

The team operates with flattened hierarchies and a strong emphasis on individual responsibility, fostering a collegial and inclusive atmosphere. We value intellectual openness, critical engagement, and mutual support. You’ll be encouraged to take initiative, contribute your ideas, and shape your research trajectory, while also contributing to project tasks like data collection and analysis.

Our shared goal is to explore how data infrastructures are reshaping democracy and governance. We will regularly organize internal workshops, co-writing sessions, and exchanges with societal and academic partners. You’ll join a vibrant, collaborative environment committed to both academic excellence and public engagement.

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 will be working

You will be part of an international, interdisciplinary research team based at the Department of Media Studies. Our team includes three PhD researchers, two postdoctoral fellows, a project manager, a student assistant, and the principal investigator, Prof. Stefania Milan. Team members will be recruited from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds.

The team operates with flattened hierarchies and a strong emphasis on individual responsibility, fostering a collegial and inclusive atmosphere. We value intellectual openness, critical engagement, and mutual support. You’ll be encouraged to take initiative, contribute your ideas, and shape your research trajectory, while also contributing to project tasks like data collection and analysis.

Our shared goal is to explore how data infrastructures are reshaping democracy and governance. We will regularly organize internal workshops, co-writing sessions, and exchanges with societal and academic partners. You’ll join a vibrant, collaborative environment committed to both academic excellence and public engagement.

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

To apply, please submit the following documents as a single PDF file:

  • Cover letter (max. 2 pages), briefly introducing yourself and explaining your interest in the position.
  • Curriculum Vitae (max. 4 pages, no photo), including a separate list of publications (not counted toward the page limit).
  • One published journal article that you consider your flagship publication.
  • Research reflection statement (max. 1,000 words), offering a brief reflection on a recent research project or publication you led or contributed to. Describe your role, the research questions and methods used, challenges encountered, and what you learned through the process. Highlight how this experience prepares you to contribute to DATAGOV.
  • Names and contact details of three referees, including email addresses and phone numbers. One referee should be your PhD supervisor. Reference letters are not required at this stage, but referees should be available to provide a letter or speak with the committee if you are shortlisted.

Please combine all documents into a single PDF file and name it as follows: LastName_FirstName_DATAGOVPostdoc.pdf Interviews will be held in the second half of June. The postdoctoral positions are expected to begin in September or October 2025.
To ensure a fair selection process, Prof. Stefania Milan will not respond to individual email inquiries regarding this vacancy.

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

To apply, please submit the following documents as a single PDF file:

  • Cover letter (max. 2 pages), briefly introducing yourself and explaining your interest in the position.
  • Curriculum Vitae (max. 4 pages, no photo), including a separate list of publications (not counted toward the page limit).
  • One published journal article that you consider your flagship publication.
  • Research reflection statement (max. 1,000 words), offering a brief reflection on a recent research project or publication you led or contributed to. Describe your role, the research questions and methods used, challenges encountered, and what you learned through the process. Highlight how this experience prepares you to contribute to DATAGOV.
  • Names and contact details of three referees, including email addresses and phone numbers. One referee should be your PhD supervisor. Reference letters are not required at this stage, but referees should be available to provide a letter or speak with the committee if you are shortlisted.

Please combine all documents into a single PDF file and name it as follows: LastName_FirstName_DATAGOVPostdoc.pdf Interviews will be held in the second half of June. The postdoctoral positions are expected to begin in September or October 2025.
To ensure a fair selection process, Prof. Stefania Milan will not respond to individual email inquiries regarding this vacancy.

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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