PhD in Technology and Social Change

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Linköping University
Hereby advertises a position as PhD in Technology and Social Change.

Duties
The PhD student will conduct research related to the project ”When Communication Networks Come to Die – Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Infrastructural Dismantling”. The project explores the politics and experiences that arise at the “end of life” of media-and communication infrastructure – when communication networks age, get dismantled or abandoned, and the cultural, political, historical and societal implications of these processes for different actors. Examples of media infrastructure include internet infrastructure (for example the decommissioning of fibre optic cables, content delivery networks, repurposing or decay of satellite earth stations etc); the abandonement of social media and digital platforms; but also software, algorithms, data and databases or other kinds of information and communication infrastructure. The PhD student project could explore, for example, how knowledge, power relations or cultural practices are transformed with the decay/dismantling of an infrastructure; how understandings of citizenship or the role of ‘old’ communication networks in society are renegotiated; how is a “good end” imagined; and/or what conflicts, controversies and tensions arise in the process? The specific topic of study and empiric case are open to be formulated in a dialogue between PhD student and their supervisor.

The PhD student is expected to write scholarly texts in English, independently and possibly together with other researchers. They are also expected to participate in the seminars at the Department of Thematic Studies – Technology and Social Change, as well as in the academic networks connected to the project.

As a doctoral student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research project of which you are a part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20% of full-time.

Your workplace workplace
Technology and Social Change is a nationally and internationally leading environment for research and education in how people create and use technology, and how technological change is interwoven with cultural patterns, everyday life, politics, ethics and economy. Third cycle and first cycle studies specializing in issues of technology and social change are carried out at the department.

Qualifications
You have graduated at Master´s level or completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be on advanced level, alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.
Special qualifications: 90 credits of your total credits should be in a subject of central importance to the research area.

Relevant educational backgrounds for this position include social anthropology, media- and communication studies, sociology, gender studies, history, political science, science- and technology studies or related fields.

The position requires written and oral proficiency in English. It also requires documented skills in working with qualitative methods, as well as research questions within the social sciences or humanities. Previous academic work on themes that concern temporality, media infrastructure or materialities is an advantage. Documented skills in working interdisciplinarily is a merit.

Union representatives
Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants 

For more information
https://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/vacancies/21686

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody's equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities.

We look forward to receiving your application!


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