PhD Research Fellow in Social Science - Journalism: New Audiovisual Publics

PhD Research Fellow in Social Science - Journalism: New Audiovisual Publics

We are seeking a PhD candidate to investigate how podcasts,

video, and emerging digital media formats are transforming journalism and reshaping public debate

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About the position

Faculty of Social Sciences, Nord University, Norway, invites applications from outstanding candidates for 1-2 temporary 100 % PhD positions in Social Science with a specialization in Journalism - New Audiovisual Publics. The position will be affiliated with the eesearch group Journalism and New Media (JOME) and with the specialization Governance and Democrazy in Transition within the PhD programme.

The research group for Journalism and New Media is an active and interdisciplinary research environment with expertise in journalism, digital publics, platformisation, political communication, opinion formation, trust, and democratic change.

The position is in the field of Journalism and Media Studies, with a particular focus on new audiovisual publics. In this context, new audiovisual publics refer to publics that emerge and take shape through digital audio and visual formats, platform-based distribution, and new forms of production, participation, and audience engagement.

Podcasts, video, and other audiovisual formats are playing an increasingly important role in news dissemination, public debate, and political communication. At the same time, established boundaries between journalism, opinion formation, activism, entertainment, and political communication are becoming increasingly blurred. Content is produced and distributed across both editorial media and global platforms, and is shaped by new forms of storytelling, algorithmic logics of distribution, and changing audience practices.

The PhD project is expected to contribute new knowledge about how audiovisual media shape journalism and public communication, and about the implications of these developments for journalistic credibility, public debate, and democratic accountability.

The successful candidate will develop and conduct an independent PhD project within the overall thematic scope of the position. The project may examine established journalistic actors, emerging media actors, or the interaction between them.

Relevant research topics may include:

• podcasts as arenas for journalism, public debate, trust-building, and political influence
• video journalism, visual storytelling, and mobile-oriented news formats
• media ethics, credibility, source practices, and democratic accountability in audiovisual publics
• platformisation, algorithmic distribution, and audience engagement in audio and video formats
• the interplay between journalism, entertainment, activism, influencer culture, and political communication
• emerging actors and alternative audiovisual publics
• audiences’ use and understanding of audiovisual news and public-affairs formats

This list is not exhaustive. We welcome applicants who can develop their own research questions and perspectives within the overall thematic scope of the position. The project may employ qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Possible approaches include interviews, content analysis, digital ethnography, audience studies, platform analysis, or other relevant methodological approaches.

The period of employment is, in principle, three years without career-promoting activities. However, there is also the possibility of a four-year period of employment with 25% career-promoting activities. Such activities may include teaching and/or research-related duties at the faculty, depending on the candidate’s qualifications and the faculty’s needs.

The position is based in Bodø, and presence at the workplace during working hours is expected as a general rule. In the case of career-promoting activities, the position may also involve duties at Nord University’s other campuses.

The appointment applies from 1 September 2027, or from another agreed start date.

Qualification requirements

• To be admitted to the PhD programme, applicants must hold a bachelor’s and a completed master’s degree (120 ECTS), or equivalent, in a relevant social science discipline and/or history. Applicants with degrees in the humanities or other relevant fields may be considered on an individual basis.
• Candidates must demonstrate solid knowledge of relevant theories and methods necessary to carry out the proposed PhD project.
• Admission to the faculty’s PhD programme is a prerequisite. See admission requirements: PhD in Social Science
• Applicants must meet the grade requirements for PhD admission (normally a B average in the master’s degree).
• Strong English skills, both written and oral, are required. For applicants from outside the Nordic countries, documentation is required (see PhD regulations, section 6-1). The dissertation may be written in English or Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language).
• A final project proposal must be approved and formalized within three months of employment.
• Candidates who already have a PhD degree will not be considered for the position.

Qualified applicants will be ranked according to the following criteria:

• Submitted project proposal
• Academic background and grades from master’s studies
• Research experience (if any)
• Relevant academic background
• Personal suitability
• Motivation and feasibility of the proposed PhD project

Experience from journalism, media production, or other relevant areas within the media and communication field is considered an advantage but is not a requirement.

We offer

The annual salary for doctoral researchers (code 1017) is NOK 565 000,-.

• Advantages within the Government Pension Fund for loans, insurance and pension
• Creative and collegial working environment
• A workplace with progressive development
• Flexible working hours
• Active university sports team
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

General information

The state workforce should reflect the diversity of the population. Nord University therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, an immigrant background, and otherwise diverse life experiences to apply.

Information regarding disabilities or gaps in a CV may be used for anonymized statistical purposes.

The person appointed must comply with the applicable laws, agreements, and directives. The responsibilities and duties associated with the position may change with future reorganization at Nord University.

Nord University is subject to the Security Act, which imposes requirements for the handling of protected and sensitive information. To enhance the security of recruitment processes, Nord may conduct background checks of relevant candidates.
Security suitability will be considered.

Contact information

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting:

• Reasearch group leader: Associate Professor Karianne Sørgård Olsen, karianne.s.olsen@nord.no, +47 75517577
• Head of specialisation: Professor Frank Jacob, frank.jacob@nord.no, +47 75517032
• Administrative questions: Senior Advisor Anneli M. Watterud, anneli.m.watterud@nord.no, +47 75517572

Application process

Applicants will be evaluated by an internal expert committee.

Relevant applicants will be invited for an interview. For more information, see Nord`s website .

The Faculty reserve the right not to hire applicants who may be scientifically qualified but who do not meet other criteria such as language or personal characteristics.

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically by 4 January 2027.

The application should include:

• Project proposal (approx. 5-7 pages) outlining the PhD idea, theoretical framework, methodological approach, and progress plan.
• Cover letter describing your motivation for applying.
• Complete CV (education, work and teaching experience, list of publications if applicable).
• Diplomas and official transcripts from bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and other relevant certificates.
• Applicants are responsible for documenting that all requirements for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences are fulfilled.
• Digital version or link to the completed master’s thesis and any other academic work. Applicants who have written their master's thesis in a language other than English or a Scandinavian language must attach an English summary that clearly describes the topic, methodology, and main findings (maximum 2 pages).
• Names and contact information for 2-3 references (name, relationship, email, phone number).
• Applicants from countries outside Scandinavia must include a Diploma Supplement in English or in a Scandinavian language.
• Applicants from outside the EU/EEA must submit HK-dir approval of their master´s degree. Applicants without a recognition of foreign higher education must apply for Automatic recognition.
• Applicants from outside the EU/EEA area may be asked to provide additional documentation of their education.
• Other relevant activities to be considered in the evaluation.

Use of AI tools:

Any use of AI tools in the preparation of the application letter or project proposal must be declared, with a brief explanation of how the tool was used. This is to ensure transparency and accountability

All documents must be uploaded as PDF attachments to the electronic application form.

It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the complete documentation within the deadline.

After the application period has expired a list of applicants will be published. Note that, in special cases, the identity of particular applicants to a position may be made public even when that applicant has requested that their application be processed confidentially. Applicants requesting an exemption from publication of their identity must explain their reasons for doing so in their application. In this case, advance notice will be given in the event of a decision to make any information about the applicant public.

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