Research assistant in Sociology (Digital/Cultural Sociology)

UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

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Research assistant - 50 % position

At the Department of Sociology, there is a vacancy for a fixed-term part-time position (50% for 18 months from 1 August 2024) as a research assistant gathering and analysing social media data for the NordForsk funded project Banal (Non)Religion: Secular Imaginaries in Contemporary Nordic Popular Culture.

Summary information about the project can be found on Professor Herbert’s website:

https://www.uib.no/en/persons/David.Eric.John.Herbert#uib-tabs-current-projects

...and you can email Professor Herbert for a full project description at the email address given below.

Total employment as a research assistant cannot exceed two years.

About the project/work tasks:

The successful candidate will gather and analyse digital and social media evidence of nonreligion in Nordic popular culture using Norwegian, Swedish and Danish sources. The project addresses the question of how secular imaginaries are transmitted in and through popular culture and whether it is useful to approach these as “banal,” or everyday, expressions of a hegemonizing secular worldview. Particular attention will be paid to the genres of 1) humor in the form of stand-up specials and podcasts, 2) depictions of death, funerals, and rituals, and 3) popular science podcasts and programs.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• Applicants must hold a good Norwegian Bachelors or Masters degree in Sociology, Social Anthropology, Cultural Studies or a similar/equivalent degree.
• Applicants must have a demonstrable interest and competence in using mixed methods to investigate socio-cultural phenomena (e.g. bachelors’ or masters’ dissertation).
• Training will be provided, but experience of computational sociology or equivalent use of computer applications in social sciences or digital humanities would be an advantage.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and have excellent organizational and teamworking skills.
• Applicants must have excellent skills in oral and written English.
• Applicants must have a strong command of Norwegian (Level 3) or another Scandinavian language (Swedish or Danish).

In assessing the candidates, personal and relational qualities and organizational skills will be emphasized.

We can offer:

• A good and professionally challenging working environment.
• Salary as a research assistant, code 1019 (bachelor’s degree), NOK 414 200, -. For candidates with a master’s degree, (research assistant - code 1020), the gross annual salary will be NOK 509 300, -. Further promotions are made according to length of service.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• A position in an inclusive workplace (IW).
• Good welfare benefits

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.
• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas.
• Relevant certificates/references
• List of any works of a scientific nature (publication list, if any)
• Publications (as applicable)

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

Closing date: June 4th, 2024. The application must be marked 24/6391.

General information:

For further details about the position, please contact:

Professor David Herbert, David.Herbert@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.