The Weizenbaum-Institut e.V. invites scholars to apply for the position of PhD Candidate in Platform Algorithms and Digital Propaganda (Qualitative Analysis).
The start date of this PhD position (75%) is as soon as possible. Deadline for applications: November 18th 2022
Would you like to research new forms of propaganda in the Digital Age? Are you interested in online content, social media, and search engines? Are you passionate about developing innovative methods for studying digital platforms and the digital news ecosystem? If you are excited about these topics and would like to embark on a PhD project in the field of digitalisation research, join us as PhD Candidate in the newly established research group “Platform Algorithms and Digital Propaganda” at Weizenbaum Institute under the supervision of Dr. Elizaveta Kuznetsova.
The Weizenbaum Institute conducts interdisciplinary and basic research on the transformation of society through digitalisation, developing possible approaches and strategies for policymakers, businesses, and civil society. The institute’s aim is to better understand the dynamics, mechanisms, and implications of digitalisation. To this end, the Weizenbaum Institute examines the ethical, legal, economic, and political aspects of the digital transformation. Its guiding values comprise self-determination and sustainability in the digital society. The Weizenbaum Institute is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Job content:
We seek a PhD Candidate for the research group “Platform Algorithms and Digital Propaganda”. The group investigates the “information ecosystem” on search engines and social media platforms to understand how algorithmic systems are designed and how the audience perceives them. We analyse the organisation of information filtering algorithms and their relationship with disruptive influence, such as Russian online propaganda. Moreover, we study how platforms reconcile market-driven algorithmic organisation with their role as de-facto gatekeepers of information and the social responsibility this entails.
The work of the research group is structured around the three elements of the information ecosystem: the online content, platforms’ algorithms, and online audiences. To analyse these elements, we employ a mixed-method research design that combines qualitative and quantitative content analysis, agent-based algorithmic auditing, and qualitative interviews.
More information can be found here.