The Institute for Information Law (IViR) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher (0,8 or 1,0 fte) to do research on 'Citizenship, Democracy & Social Media' within the context of the VSNU research program Digital Society. 

Digital information technology is becoming ever more deeply and rapidly entrenched in our society. Extensive digitalisation is set to radically change practically all aspects of society, not only in the Netherlands but throughout the world.

The Netherlands is a compact, highly developed, well-organised country with excellent physical and digital infrastructures. The academic research conducted at our universities is of high quality across the board. Furthermore, our researchers are highly experienced in crossing the boundaries between disciplines and institutions. This unique combination of characteristics creates an equally unique opportunity for the Netherlands: to lead the world in the creation of effective connections between digital technology, people and their societies.

In the years ahead, Dutch universities will work together towards this common goal. They will further combine the existing wealth of research in this field and focus it on a clear, common profile. As a corollary of the National Science Agenda, Dutch universities want to invest in cutting-edge research together with other knowledge institutions, the business sector and the government.

The program line 'Citizenship and Democracy” focuses on identifying and better understanding the challenges from AI and digital technologies for democracy, improving decision-making and realising the opportunities for digital citizenship. It acknowledges that datafication, artificial intelligence, algorithms and other digital technologies have profoundly changed the way citizens inform themselves and participate in democratic debate. New ways of filtering, aggregating, and distributing information, new players and platforms, and changing news consumption have created opportunities and challenges. The digital turn can reduce social exclusion and advance social cohesion, active participation and the formation of national, cultural, and religious identities. At the same time, digitalisation has increased the risk of misinformation and polarisation, and challenges fundamental societal values such as diversity, inclusion, and privacy. The global scope of digital communication questions the effectiveness of national and international systems of governance. This programme will make an important contribution to reinvigorating institutions that are vital for democratic participation, economic prosperity and the rule of law.

If you are the successful candidate, you:

• have a proven affinity with the topic;
• have a PhD in a relevant field (e.g. law, communication science political science, media studies, political philosophy);
• have an excellent scientific publication record in relevant journals;
• have strong organizational, communication and team working skills;
• have experience working in interdisciplinary environments, and working with societal actors- ideally, has experience with organizing and coordinating cooperation between universities and research groups across disciplines;

• ideally, have a solid knowledge of Dutch funding and international funding sources;
• Ideally, have a broad network nationally and internationally;
• have an excellent command of the Dutch and English language.

The position is full time but there is an option to make this a 0.8 FTE position. The position preferably starts between 1 November 2018 and 1 January 2019. It concerns, in principle, a position of up to two years, after an initial test period. For postdoctoral researchers the monthly gross salary, depending on your knowledge and experience, will range between € 3,545 and €4,852 (Scale 11) based on a full-time basis. We offer a pension scheme, a holiday allowance of 8% per year, and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

http://www.uva.nl/en/home

Institute for Information Law

The Institute for Information Law (IViR), officially established in 1989, is one of the largest research centers in the field of information law in the world. Our Institute employs over 25 researchers who are active in an entire spectrum of information society related legal areas: intellectual property law, telecommunications and broadcasting regulation, media law, Internet regulation, advertising law, domain names, freedom of expression, privacy, digital consumer issues, commercial speech, et cetera. 

Research on 'Citizenship, Democracy & Social Media' is within the context of the VSNU research program Digital Society. The researcher will initiate and engage in research projects, in close cooperation with other (interdisciplinary) team members, be active in the communication of research results and the acquisition of funding and help to build a strategic agenda for the program line 'Citizenship and Democracy', coordinated by the University of Amsterdam, The University of Groningen and Tilburg University.

http://www.ivir.nl/