Postdoc in Techno-Anthropology (2017-224-01646), Aalborg University, Aalborg (Denmark)

Postdoc in Techno-Anthropology (2017-224-01646)

Host University: Aalborg University, Aalborg (Denmark)

At The Department of Learning and Philosophy, the Faculty of Humanities, a position as postdoc in techno-anthropology is available from 1 March 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is available for a period of 3 years. Workplace: Aalborg. 

Job description: The Department of Learning and Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities, Aalborg University invites applications for a 36-month full-time postdoctoral researcher position in techno-anthropological studies of data security in the Internet of Things (IoT).  

The postdoc will be part of the Techno-Anthropology Research Group (http://www.tant.aau.dk) and the interdisciplinary research project “Secure Estimation and Control Using Recursion and Encryption (SECURE)”.

The postdoc is expected to begin on 1 March 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position: Contemporary developers of the IoT and cyber-physical systems (CPS) envision that future societies will have an increasingly high level of integration between cyber-, physical, and social worlds. One area of such integration is energy production and consumption where the so-called smart grid is expected to establish communication and coordination between large numbers of entities in a way that facilitates critical operational decisions. This interaction between entities requires exchange of privacy-sensitive information, which raises critical questions about the users’ trust and participation in the system.

The interdisciplinary research project SECURE develops technical solutions for data-privacy and security in the management of cyber-physical systems in connected societies. The project includes a Techno-Anthropological investigation of how developers and future users relate to social and ethical issues of data sharing, privacy and trust. The project involves researchers from the fields of techno-anthropology, mathematics, electronic systems, automation and control engineering, and offers a unique opportunity for participating in interdisciplinary research collaboration.

In the SECURE project, the postdoc will conduct an ethnographic study in 2018-2019 among different groups of potential users and designers of cyber-physical systems and examine how core themes such as trust, security, privacy-sensitivity and ethics are articulated in the work practices of the project partners. Important tasks of the postdoc position will be to arrange two stakeholder workshops in 2019 and 2020, including the development of specific participatory methods for stakeholder involvement in the design of privacy-preserving ICT platforms. The postdoc will also contribute to the dissemination of findings in formats targeted at the broader public, e.g. through demonstrations and exhibitions about socio-technical aspects of future CPS, and to the production of a policy brief on social and ethical issues related to the integration between cyber-, physical, and social worlds.

The successful applicant will be based in Aalborg at the Department of Learning and Philosophy, and will be expected to participate in activities at department level and in the Techno-Anthropology research group.

Researc: For this position, we are looking for an innovative and dedicated researcher with previous experience related to science and technology studies, ethnography, participatory methods, technology design, human-computer interaction or similar. Applicants are asked to submit a three-page research proposal for the postdoc sub-project in which they motivate their interest in the project and their perspective on topics such as cyber-physical systems, data privacy, security and trust. Applicants are also asked to describe their reflections on the specific tasks of the project (i.e. the ethnographic study, the stakeholder seminars, the dissemination activities and the policy brief).

The successful applicant will be expected to participate in monthly project meetings and take an active role in the SECURE steering group, deliver internal working papers and field reports, and write three peer-reviewed research articles based on the findings of the project.

The Department of Learning and Philosophy operates on an interdisciplinary, cross- faculty basis. The mission of the Department is to do research, development and teaching in the areas of learning, innovation, knowledge, education, philosophy, and ethics in both public and private organizations. For a detailed description of the department please visit www.learning.aau.dk .

Teaching: The successful applicant must be prepared to teach in the Techno-Anthropology Programmes at BA or MA level.
 
Post Doctoral position: Appointment as Postdoc presupposes scientific qualifications at PhD–level or similar scientific qualifications in Science and Technology Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Ethnology or related disciplines. The research potential of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment. Appointment as a Postdoc cannot exceed a period of four years in total at Aalborg University. Appointment at Postdoc level cannot exceed a period of eight years in total in Denmark, however max. six years at Assistant Professor level - which includes Postdoc - at the same institution.

The application must contain the following:

• Your CV 
• A complete publication list and markings of the attached publications to be taken into consideration in connection with the assessment. No more than five publications may be attached.
• In case you attach joint, a co-author statement must be enclosed specifying your contribution to the joint work. The co-author statement must be signed by at least one of the co-authors.
• Documentation of your teaching qualifications (Guide)
• Copies of your degree certificates (including Master’s and PhD certificates).
• A three-page proposal for the SECURE postdoc research sub-project (see above).

Applicants must also document:

• Experiencer of interdisciplinary collaboration and research. 
• Ethnographic fieldwork experience in the field of science and technology.
• Experience of organising, coordinating and conducting workshops and courses for external partners or practitioners.
• Experience of publication and research dissemination. 

Applications must be submitted in English.
Everyone interested is encouraged to apply, regardless of age, gender, religion or ethnicity.

Applicants will be assessed by an Expert assessment committee. Applicants may be invited to an interview and/or asked to give a trial lecture.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that subsequent to the deadline for applications the head of department supported by the chair of the assessment committee will select candidates for assessment. All applicants will be informed whether they will be assessed or not. The selected applicants will be informed of the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will have the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that applies to the applicant in question. When the employment process has been terminated, a final rejection will be sent to the applicants who are not considered for the position.

Any enquiries about the position and the SECURE project (including a project description) may be addressed to assistant professor Astrid O. Andersen, email aoa@learning.aau.dk, telephone (+45) 6196 7282. 

Any enquiries relating to the application procedure should be addressed to Gurli Brogaard at the Faculty Office via email hs-hr@adm.aau.dk or telephone (+ 45) 9940 7023. Your application including attachments must be sent electronically by clicking the “Apply online” link below.

Agreement: Employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministry of Finance's current Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement for state-employed academics.

Vacancy number: 2017-224-01646

Deadline: 05/01/2018

Apply online

Source: http://www.vacancies.aau.dk/show-vacancy/?vacancy=941745 (12/12/2017).