Postdoc in Critical Data Studies

Raket Webbyrå AB; Karlstads kommun; On-site; SEK 446,400 - 558,000; Full time

Job summary

En högskola i Stockholm söker en postdoktor i mediateknik för att utföra oberoende forskning om syntetiska data. Du kommer att analysera frågor kring AI-genererade representationer och samarbeta i en tvärvetenskaplig forskargrupp. En doktorsexamen inom relevanta ämnen krävs, och tjänsten är heltid under 36 månader. Ansökningsfristen är den 25 november 2025.

Qualifications

• Behörig doktorsexamen vid anställning.
• Erfarenhet av forskning inom relevanta områden.
• Demontrerad forskningskompetens genom publikationer och deltagande i forskningsprojekt.

Responsibilities

• Genomföra oberoende forskning om syntetiska data.
• Analys av frågor kring AI-genererade representationer.
• Samarbeta inom forskargruppen och bidra till publikationer.

Skills

Analytisk

Lösningsorienterad

Utmärkt skriftlig och muntlig engelska

Education

Doktorsexamen inom mediateknik eller relaterade ämnen

Job description

Södertörn University is a higher education institution in Stockholm that conducts education, research, and collaboration for sustainable societal development. We have around 14 000 students, 80 programmes and 300 courses, and we conduct education and research in the humanities, social sciences, technology and natural sciences. The university also offers police education and teacher education with an intercultural profile. A great deal of our research relates to the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe. We combine subjects, perspectives, people and experiences, and are worldminded, curious and questioning, searching for surprising syntheses, challenges and development.

About the project and the research environment

AI can now create synthetic data – data that were not collected in the real world, but which are used to train algorithms, test hypotheses, and make decisions. These could be generated patient records, images that were never taken or datasets that imitate reality. But what happens when science and society start producing knowledge using data that have never existed? How does this shape our view of facts, transparency and trust? What new opportunities open up – and what risks arise?

Do you want to explore how AI-generated synthetic data change what we call facts and knowledge? The “Synthetic Data: Facts, Representations, and Transparency” project investigates precisely these issues. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will join a creative and interdisciplinary research group investigating how these new forms of data create opportunities – and risks – as regards transparency, representation and trust in science and society.

As a postdoctoral research fellow in the project, you will work at the Department of Media Technology. Media Technology is an interdisciplinary subject that provides research and education in the intersections between technology, humans and society. The university website has an overview of Media Technology and our publications.

You will also be part of the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Programme – Humanity and Society (WASP‑HS), a national research programme. WASP‑HS’s vision is to promote new interdisciplinary knowledge in the humanities and social sciences concerning AI, autonomous systems and their impact on human and societal development. WASP‑HS facilitates revolutionary research, expertise and competence building in the humanities and social sciences.

Job description

As a postdoctoral research fellow, you will conduct independent research on synthetic data with a focus on critical and analytical theories and methods, including:

• Examining how synthetic data are produced, legitimised and used in different contexts,
• Analysing the issues that arise when AI‑generated representations replace or supplement “real” data,
• Contributing to theoretical development in critical data and algorithm studies, STS (science and technology studies) or related fields,
• Collaboration with researchers in the research group and the national WASP‑HS network, and contributing to the group’s methodological toolkits, publications and workshops.

Teaching and supervision may occur, up to a maximum 20 % of your working hours. Administrative duties may also be included in the position, such as organising seminars, workshops or conferences. Teaching is conducted in English.

Qualifications

Education – A doctoral degree, or a qualification from abroad that is equivalent to a doctoral degree, is required at the time of employment. Relevant degree subjects include media technology, technology and science studies, gender studies, media and communication studies, sociology, anthropology, or history of science. Other subjects may also be of interest.

Experience – Primary consideration is given to individuals who were awarded the above qualifications within the three years prior to the application deadline. Candidates with earlier qualifications may be considered under exceptional circumstances (e.g., leave due to ill health, parental leave, positions of trust in trade union organisations, service in the Swedish armed forces, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other relevant practice/commissions).

Skills – The applicant must also possess the personal skills necessary to meet the demands of the position and to represent Södertörn University in a way that benefits its activities. Excellent written and spoken English are required.

Research expertise

Demonstrated through a scholarly thesis and other scholarly publications in the relevant subject area and participation in research projects.

Grounds for assessment

The following grounds for assessment have been established for this position (in order of importance). The below items must be documented.

• Research expertise in relevant areas
• Documented experience of conducting and publishing research in a relevant area

For complete information about qualifications and the criteria for assessing them, please read Södertörn University’s Appointment Procedure.

• Analytical
• Solution oriented

Employment

Full‑time position for a period of 36 months. First date of employment to be agreed.

Application

The application deadline is 25 November 2025.

The final decision on employment will be made by Södertörn University. The title of this position is Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Media Technology at the School of Natural Sciences, Technology, and Environmental Studies.

Welcome with your application!

On our website, https://sh.se/vacantpositions, there is an application template that the applicant needs to follow. Publications referred to must be attached to the application.

Applications that are not complete or arrive after the closing date may be rejected.

Union representatives:

• SACO: [e-mail]
• ST: [e-mail]
• SEKO: [e-mail]
• Robert Lindberg: [e-mail]

Södertörn University has made strategic advertisement choices for this recruitment. Therefore, we decline all contact with advertisers and other salespersons of advertisement.