Researcher Position in AI at MediaFutures

UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

Through robust and close interaction with the world around us – globally, nationally and locally – we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Do you want to take part in shaping the future?

Research position

There is a vacancy for a researcher position at MediaFutures within Media Content Production and Analysis. The position is for 18 months. We are looking for an ambitious and self-motivated colleague to join us in MediaFutures: Research Centre for Responsible Media Technology & Innovation.

MediaFutures is a center for research-based innovation at the Department for Information Science and Media Studies at the University of Bergen, and is located at Media City Bergen. The center is a part of the Norwegian Research Council’s Research-based Innovation scheme. MediaFutures is cooperating with industry partners from news media and media technology research topics like media experiences, recommender technology, content production and analysis, content interaction and availability, and Norwegian language technology. The goal is to develop responsible technological solutions to societal challenges like AI, fake news, echo chambers, and political polarization. The results will be new digital tools, analysis methods, and content types for the future of media. The center performs research training within media technology and innovation. This creates outputs such as new prototypes, research articles, and software, as well as innovative start-up companies.

Read more about the center at www.mediafutures.no.

About the project/work tasks:

The candidate will work at MediaFutures at MediaCity Bergen in Work Package 3 within Media Content Production and Analysis and will closely collaborate with researchers and partners in this work package, including, Schibsted, BT, Wolftech, TV2, etc., and with relevant researchers and partners in other work packages as well.

The Work Package 3 on Media Content Production and Analysis in MediaFutures aims at the development of novel approaches to creating media content with the support of artificial intelligence, as well as novel ways to analyze media content for various purposes of interest to media businesses and consumers. Our focus is particularly on news content, evaluating the trustworthiness of existing news sources as well as ensuring trustworthiness in news content produced through novel tools.

The researcher position will be involved in developing technology relating to both analysis for news and production of news. There is an emphasis on analysing, evaluating, validating, and providing existing content for the purpose of content production. The content can be from the web, including the semantic web, social media, news outlets, and the media house’s own content repositories.

We expect significant contributions to interdisciplinary publications reporting on the project results, as well as an ability to develop prototypes to be showcased to the industry partners in the centre. The position has an orientation towards innovation and will support the transfer of scientific knowledge into prototypes developed by the industrial partners, and the researcher may also aid in the implementation of solutions in real life applications.

The candidate will work be supervised by the work package leadership. The candidate will also carry out secondments at industry partners in MediaFutures.

The candidate will submit a reseach plan within 3 months after the start together with the work package leaders and approved by the center's director.

Personnel responsibility rests with the center leader.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The applicant must hold a Norwegian PhD or an equivalent degree in Information Science, Computer Science, or Artificial Intelligence. They must have submitted their doctoral thesis for assessment before the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded.
• Strong programming skills are a must.
• Background within media technology and AI in journalism is an advantage.
• Experience from scientific work (e.g., previous conferences and journal publications) is a requirement.
• Experience in innovation work, grant writing, and proposal authorship is an advantage.
• Great motivation for research and innovation work, interest in the topic, and good knowledge of relevant theory and methods are a must.
• We are seeking candidates that have proven skills to work in a team, as well has the ability to work independently and in a structured manner.
• Proficiency in both written and oral English (this is the working language of the center).

Potential candidates may be invited to the center for an interview.

We can offer:

• A good and professionally challenging working environment.
• Salary at 624 500 NOK per year (code 1109) on the government salary scale upon appointment (equivalent to pay grade 64). Further promotions are made according to the length of service in the position.
• An inclusive workspace at MediaCity Bergen.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

For more information about moving to Bergen and Norway, please visit https://www.uib.no/en/node/133625/, and https://www.uib.no/en/hr/74243/what-can-university-bergen-offer-its-employees.

Your application must include:

• A brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
• The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of these must be the main advisor from the PhD program.
• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas and official confirmation that the doctoral thesis has been submitted.
• Relevant certificates/references.
• List of any works of a scientific nature (publication list).

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.

The closing date is May 25th 2024. The application has to be marked with: 24/4542

Applications sent by e-mail will not be evaluated.

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting center leader Christoph Trattner, christoph.trattner@uib.no.

Practical questions about the application process should be directed to Adviser – HR, Pernille Hole: pernille.hole@uib.no.

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.For further information about the recruitment process, click here.