Research Assistant for Governance by Infrastructures

The School of Communication and Culture invites applications for the post of research assistant within the fields of Science and Technology Studies (STS) of Information Studies to work in the research project ‘Governance by Infrastructures’ funded by the Aarhus University Research Foundation. The position is based at the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies.

The position of research assistant is a fixed-term academic position from 1 February 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter) to 31 January 2027. The workload is 37 hours a week.

The School of Communication and Culture is committed to diversity and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their personal background.

The position

Research

The overall ‘Governance by Infrastructures’ project tackles, in a comparative way, historical and contemporary practices of informationally infrastructuring territory and population, the two main assets of modern institutions. The project builds on scholarship in STS, information infrastructures and organisation studies to research how the modern institutional order, which emerged from the datafication of territory and population since the 17th century (and featured prominently in various projects of state building and colonisation), is being challenged by current digital developments in information infrastructures for territory and population management. The overall research project examines how new forms of de facto governance are being shaped by information infrastructuring for managing territories and populations.

The successful applicant will be expected to support the PI, Professor Annalisa Pelizza, in developing the part of the Governance by Infrastructures project that concerns the informational management of population. The researcher will engage in literature review retrieval, archival, technical, and design documentation collection, as well as empirical sociological research handling (for example, transcribing interviews and observations, translation, negotiating access, and co-design of mixed methods). The dataset collected will then be contextualised in relation to the key issues addressed within the Governance by Infrastructures project (see above).

Notably, the person appointed to this position will be required to

• conduct mapping of the literature using literature management tools (for example, Zotero)
• continue the ongoing review of the European initiatives concerning the digital identity wallet and data space, as well as Danish identification initiatives, including desktop data collection and an understanding of the actors involved
• conduct interviews at national and European levels, and other forms of data collection (for example, observation), including transcription and translation
• support the PI in establishing and developing networks with stakeholders
• editorial support
• research organisation and support to management.

Other

A minor portion of worktime is allocated to professional development, as well as participation in staff meetings, teaching team meetings, and relevant administrative tasks within the department. The position requires regular attendance at the department. Office facilities will be provided.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold an academic degree in Information Studies, STS or neighbouring disciplines (for example, social, anthropological or political sciences) or a relevant related field at master’s degree level or higher. Applicants should demonstrate relevant qualifications within literature review in the Humanities and Social Sciences, research methods in Information Studies or STS and research management support. All research is conducted in English, and applicants must therefore possess an excellent level of English language proficiency. Preference will be given to applicants with recent research experience within the specific areas mentioned.                     

The department

For further information about the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies, see the department’s website.

School of Communication and Culture

The School of Communication and Culture is one of three schools at the Faculty of Arts. It covers a wide range of subject areas, including foreign languages.

For more information, please see the school’s website.

Place of work

Department of Digital Design and Information Studies, Helsingforsgade 14, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

Further information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact project PI Professor Annalisa Pelizza, Professor of Science and Technology Studies (STS) at the Department of Digital Design and Information Studies, Aarhus University, and the University of Bologna, via e-mail: apelizza@cc.au.dk.

If you need help uploading your application or have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Arts HR support by e-mail at hsi@au.dk.

Formalities

Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities (the Appointment Order).

• Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities .
• Further information on the application and supplementary materials may be found in Application Guidelines.

Shortlists may be prepared with the candidates that have been selected for a detailed academic assessment. A committee set up by the head of school is responsible for selecting the most qualified candidates. See this link for further information about shortlisting at the Faculty of Arts: shortlisting

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts is one of five main academic areas at Aarhus University.

The faculty contributes to Aarhus University's research, talent development, knowledge exchange and degree programmes.

With its 700 academic staff members, 200 PhD students, 9,000 BA and MA students, and 1,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.

The Faculty of Arts consists of the School of Communication and Culture, the School of Culture and Society and the Danish School of Education. Each of these units has strong academic environments and forms the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.

The faculty's academic environments and degree programmes engage in international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in interaction with society.

Read more at arts.au.dk/en

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/