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The Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites candidates for a postdoctoral position in the “Social Study of Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship in ‘Out of the Way’ Places: Policies and Futures” from 1 October 2024. The position is for 24 months.

About the Project
The position is part of the project entitled “Silicon Island: Building (In)Equitable Tech Futures ‘Out of the Way’ Places” funded by the Danish Independent Research Fund (DFF) and led by Principal Investigator, Dr. Samantha Breslin. The project explores what it means for “out of the way” places to build technological futures and the ways these futures (re)configure social and economic (in)equities, focusing on the self-named “Silicon Island” of Newfoundland, Canada. Many places seek to replicate the successes of Silicon Valley, but also differ from it in terms of socioeconomic histories, cultural values, and geographic remoteness. Silicon Valley companies also face increasing critique for propagating societal ills, including multiple forms of inequity. This project uses ethnographic and computational methods to examine the frictions (Tsing 2005) of how tech futures in Newfoundland are negotiated and brought into being in the encounters across local and (inter)national scales among policies, entrepreneurs, investors, organizations, and code. It thus examines the dynamics of (in)equity shaping entrepreneurial cultures and technologies and the possibilities for building equitable futures in “out of the way” places.

Job Content
The postdoc is expected to conduct individual research in close collaboration with the PI, Samantha Breslin. The postdoc will be the main responsible for the project research track on policies, which asks: “how are possibilities for building tech futures shaped by policies (including funding, visions in documents, and legal frameworks) across municipal, provincial, and (trans)national scales?” The postdoc is also expected to contribute to research tracks on the negotiations between different actors involved in technology innovation and entrepreneurship in Newfoundland, and examining the ways code and other objects contribute to building futures in Newfoundland.

The research will primarily rely on qualitative fieldwork and social scientific analysis. Additionally, the project will involve experimentation with integrating computational data collection and analyses with ethnographic research, as well as disseminating research findings for a broad audience. There will also be contribution to teaching in relevant courses.

The candidate will be employed at the Department of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, which is one of Europe's largest and most accomplished anthropological research establishments with an academic staff of 50 (including PhD students), and approximately 550 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Department represents a broad approach to anthropology, expressed in regional foci, theoretical orientation, and methodology, which results in a dynamic practice of anthropology, acutely aware of its own traditions and upcoming challenges.

Qualifications
Appointment as a postdoc presumes research qualifications on at least PhD level.

It is a requirement that a maximum of 4 years have passed from the date of acquisition of the PhD degree to the posting application deadline. The 4 years can be extended by the length of any maternity, parental, sick or care leave, military service, humanitarian aid work, etc. carried out during the period. In connection with maternity leave, the PhD age will be able to be extended by the number of months of leave actually taken multiplied by 2.

For more about postdoc positions and qualification requirements, see the Ministry of Education and Research’s Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

The candidates will be assessed according to the following qualifications:

  • Specialization: Phd degree in anthropology (or related field).
  • Methods: Proficiency in ethnographic data collection is required. Experience integrating quantitative and qualitative methods will be considered an asset.
  • Analysis and writing: The ability to develop critical analyses and produce high-quality academic texts.
  • Dissemination: Experience in disseminating research for audiences in public and private sectors.
  • Research experience: Experience conducting research in policy, entrepreneurship, or related fields and/or in the North Atlantic region will be considered an asset.
  • Language: Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken.
How to apply
Submit a complete application at our online portal. Click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page to apply. The documents must be in Adobe PDF or Word.

Your application must be written in English and include the following documents:

  • Cover Letter (max one page)
  • Research plan (max two pages)
  • Curriculum vitae (max two pages, with applicant’s e-mail & telephone number)
  • Documentation of qualifications (PhD diploma, Master’s diploma)
  • List of publications (this may include non-traditional forms of research dissemination)
  • Publications: Applicants may choose a maximum of two publications or pieces of writing for assessment
Strategy of the Faculty of the Social Sciences
The Department of Anthropology is part of the Faculty of the Social Sciences. The Faculty is a successful academic community that strives to put knowledge into action by:

  • Engaging partners in the co-creation of knowledge, learning and social change.
  • Empowering our students to become reflective and responsible citizens who have the vision, the knowledge and the competences to change society for the better.
  • Energising global, European and Danish communities of knowledge by innovating research methodologies and by research findings with impact
For more on the Faculty strategy, see samf.ku.dk/fakultetet/strategi. You can read the Department’s strategy here:
anthropology.ku.dk/dokumenter/DepartmentofAnthropologyStrategy2023-2028.pdf.

Terms of Employment

The recruitment process
Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here: employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

An Equal Opportunity Workplace
The University of Copenhagen is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive working environment and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of personal background, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity etc. For more on the diverse working place environment at the University and the University’s participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Research, see employment.ku.dk/working-at-ucph/eu-charter-for-researchers/

International applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: ism.ku.dk/

Contact information
Information about the recruitment process is available from HR, e-mail: hrsc@hrsc.ku.dk, please refer to ID number: 211-1776/24-2I #1.

Additional information about the position can be obtained from Samantha Breslin, e-mail: Samantha.Breslin@anthro.ku.dk, phone +45 3533 2129.

The closing date for applications is 1 May 2024 at 23:59 CEST.

Applications or enclosures received thereafter will not be considered.

Please note in your application that you found the job at Jobindex

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