The Institute of Technology Assessment (ITA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) − Austria’s leading non-university research and science institution − carries out interdisciplinary research on the impacts of new technologies on society, the environment, and the economy. We are offering a position as PHD STUDENT POSITION (F*M) (part-time, 20 hours per week) for a duration of 3 years, starting November 2022, with the option to get prolonged.
The position is part of the research project “Automating Welfare: Algorithmic Infrastructures for Human Flourishing in Europe” (2022-2025), which is funded by the CHANSE framework “Transformations: Social and cultural dynamics in the digital age”. Project leader: Dr. Doris Allhutter. The project approaches automated welfare from the perspective of the people implicated in the processes of automated decision-making (ADM)—the infrastructural engineers and designers of ADM systems, the caseworkers, and the citizens whose data feed the systems and who are targeted in processes of enhancing welfare through automation. It addresses digital transformations of work by focusing on development, data work, and human-machine collaboration in ADM processes, as well as the role of technological and social dynamics in enhancing or hindering advances in automating welfare for the benefit of the people.
Your tasks:
• Scientific collaboration in the project “Automating Welfare”
• Implementation and evaluation of ethnographic field research, interviews, and document analyses in Portugal
• Implementation and evaluation of Portuguese-language workshops with citizens
• Preparation of the data obtained for further use in the overall project
• Contribution to scientific presentations and publications (English language)
• Personal academic qualification: prepare your doctoral thesis by the end of the project
• Active participation in the institute’s inter- and transdisciplinary discourse
Your profile:
• Completed academic university degree (Master) in science and technology studies, sociology, political science, gender studies, public management, media and communication studies, or similar fields.
• Proficiency in Portuguese and English
• Very good knowledge in the field of qualitative social research
• Proficiency in the areas of automation, datafication, and welfare state/social state is desirable
• Experience in interdisciplinary work and organisation of workshops are desirable
We offer an annual gross salary of € 21.531,72, according to the collective agreement of the Austrian Academy of
Sciences.
Please send your applications including a curriculum vitae (including a list of publications, e-mail & telephone number), an application letter (max 1 page), a documentation of qualifications (examination certificates/master diploma, etc.) and a sample publication: master thesis or other academic publication, via e-mail to tamail@oeaw.ac.at c/o Director Dr Michael Nentwich (mentioning Job ID: ITA124DOC222) no later than October 10, 2022.
The Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) pursues a non-discriminatory employment policy and values equal opportunities and diversity. Individuals from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.
More information can be found here.