The Department of Culture Studies at Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Tilburg University is seeking to appoint a junior researcher (postdoctoral) for a new project on Digitalization in the Global South. The successful candidate will conduct outstanding research on the growing use of digital technologies in Asia, Africa, and/or Latin America and help manage a proposed research lab that will serve as a hub for the project. The appointment is for two years (0.8 fte/32 hours a week). Find out more information about the department on TSHD- DCU.

The position is open to candidates with a research profile in data science, digital humanities, science and technology studies, media and communication studies, culture studies, information science, internet governance, or a related area. The successful candidate will be expected to carry out innovative research on the social, political, and economic impact of digitalization in one or more regions of the Global South, with a focus on digital policymaking. They will also be expected to participate in the management of a research lab, including online content development and the organization of activities such as roundtable discussions and colloquia, under the supervision of dr. Saif Shahin and dr. Mingyi Hou.

Your Responsibilities

The main duties of the position are as follows:

• Produce cutting-edge scholarship as part of a new research lab on digitalization in the Global South;
• Produce original content for the lab’s website, such as research briefs, policy summaries, and/or data-driven reports;
• Curate documents and procure and archive data from public sources for the website;
• Help organize periodic roundtable meetings with scholars on campus;
• Help organize an international symposium;
• Publicize the work of the lab on social media; and
• Help secure research funding to expand the work of the lab.

The successful candidate will meet the following expectations:

Essential

• Have, or be close to completing, a doctoral degree in data science, digital humanities, science and technology studies, media and communication studies, culture studies, information science, internet governance, or a related area;
• A publication record commensurate with the candidate’s career stage;
• An outstanding program of empirical research related to digitalization in the Global South;
• Evidence of the potential to obtain significant peer-reviewed research funding;
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with colleagues;
• Proficiency in academic-level written and spoken English;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate with non-academic audiences; and
• Awareness of legal and ethical principles related to digital research.

Desirable

• A track record of successful grant applications;
• Experience in writing for non-academic audiences;
• Experience in organizing research conferences or symposia;
• Experience in data management and/or web administration; and
• Proficiency in a major language from the Global South.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

The successful candidate will be given a two-year position. The position will be graded in the Dutch university job ranking system (UFO) as Researcher 4. Depending on the candidate's experience, the salary for this position based on 0.8 FTE is between € 2976 and € 3348 gross per month based on a salary scale 10 step 3 minimum and 10 step 6 maximum of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. The preferred starting date is 1 September 2024.

Tilburg University is rated among the top of Dutch employers and has excellent terms of employment, such as a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% (annually), an options model and reimbursement of moving expenses. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their taxable salary. The university will apply for such an allowance on their behalf. The Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences will provide assistance in finding suitable accommodation. The Collective Labor Agreement of Dutch Universities applies.

Information and application

The deadline for application is 15 May 2024. If you have any questions about the position or the project, please contact the project leaders, dr. Saif Shahin (s.s.shahin@tilburguniversity.edu) and dr. Mingyi Hou (m.hou@tilburguniversity.edu). For more information about the department, you may reach out to head of the Department of Culture Studies, dr. Tom Van Hout (tom.vanhout@tilburguniversity.edu). 

The only way to apply is online. To apply, please submit the following information:

• A cover letter explaining how you meet the selection criteria for the position, drawing on examples from your educational and/or professional experiences;
• Curriculum vitae; and
• Names and contact details of three references.

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences

Research and education at the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) has a unique focus on humans in the context of the globalizing digital society, on the development of artificial intelligence and interactive technologies, on their impact on communication, culture and society, and on moral and existential challenges that arise. The School of Humanities and Digital Sciences consists of four departments: Communication and Cognition, Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, Culture Studies and Philosophy; several research institutes and a faculty office. Also the University College Tilburg is part of the School. Each year around 275 students commence a Bachelor or (Pre) Master Program. The School has approximately 2000 students and 250 employees.