PhD Researcher in The Remediation of Science News
Catholic University of Leuven The Institute for Media Studies
Belgium
The Institute for Media Studies (IMS) seeks to hire a full-time PhD researcher for an interdisciplinary, multi-campus research project on ‘The Circulation of Science News in the Coronavirus Era’. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with a second PhD researcher, based at the Translation Studies Research Unit. Both researchers will share their time between the Antwerp and Brussels campuses of KU Leuven.
Project
The overall goal of the project is to better understand how science news comes into being and circulates in today’s global mediascape, with an emphasis on science news about COVID-19 vaccines. Your main focus will be on the remediation and multi-platform practices in the context of science news-making in Flemish newsrooms: what remediation strategies do journalists and digital and social media editors utilise when transferring a science news item from one platform (e.g. a newspaper or news website) to another (e.g. Facebook or Twitter account)? In addressing this question, you will examine the different linguistic (e.g. adding certain words to the headline) and formal (e.g. choosing a different image) elements that may or may not have been adjusted during the remediation process, and assess whether these adaptations may have an impact on the news consumer’s perception and knowledge of the science news item under study.
Your colleague based at the Translation Studies Research Unit will tackle translation practices (i.e. the main roles, institutions, circuits and dynamics involved in the translation of science news in Flanders, both in(to) and out of Dutch).
Working together, you will forge new conceptual, empirical and practical common ground at the intersection of journalism studies, translation studies and science communication.
As the successful PhD candidate, you will carry out the following tasks:
- Conduct research in the domain of journalism studies with a focus on the remediation of science news, drawing on relevant insights from other related disciplines (esp. translation studies)
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses of remediation practices conducted by offline and online journalists and news workers, and carry out experiments to assess the impact of this remediation
- Disseminate research findings, e.g. by presenting at conferences, organising workshops and publishing journal articles and book chapters
- Take on a (limited) teaching assignment
- Prepare a doctoral dissertation
Profile
You have:
- A keen interest in science journalism and science communication. Practical experience as a science writer, public information officer, etc. is a plus.
- A master’s degree in journalism studies, communication science or a related discipline with excellent results.
- An excellent (native or near-native) command of Dutch and English and a knack for academic writing in these languages.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills, a rigorous and methodical work ethic, a collegial and inquisitive demeanour, and the desire and ability to work both individually and as part of a research team.
Offer
We offer:
- A full-time PhD position for a period of 2 years, extendable to 4 years provided certain requirements are met regarding applying for external funding in the second year.
- The opportunity to conduct academic research leading to a doctoral degree.
- A key role in an interdisciplinary, internationally oriented research team embedded in a dynamic, supportive research environment.
The successful candidate will start work on April 1, 2021.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Michaël Opgenhaffen, tel.: +32 16 32 01 02, e-mail: michael.opgenhaffen@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Jack Mc Martin, tel.: +32 488 24 87 66, e-mail: jack.mcmartin@kuleuven.be.
Your application must include a motivationletter in Dutch or English, a CV, and an academic writing sample in English(max. 2 pages; e.g. a summary of your master’s thesis).
You can apply for this job no later than February 15, 2021 via the
KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.
- Employment percentage: Voltijds
- Location: Antwerpen
- Apply before: February 15, 2021
- Tags: Communicatie/Media
In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com
