Job description

The position is part of the DFG and FWF-funded Research Unit 5656 “Communicative AI: The Automation of Societal Communication” in project P6 “Political discourse: ComAI and deliberative quality” (Principal Investigators: Prof. Dr. Cornelius Puschmann and Dr. Gregor Wiedemann).

The Research Unit investigates how societal communication changes with communicative AI. The focus of the first funding period (2025 - 2028) is on the emergence and constructions of communicative AI. Research will focus on the pioneer communities of communicative AI, their interfaces, the legal handling of AI, and its governance by corporations, as well as the appropriation of communicative AI in journalism, public (online) discourse, personal life, health, and in learning and teaching. Our research uses highly innovative methods from the social sciences and HCI, including digital and computer-aided methods. For more information on the Research Unit and various opportunities for doctoral researchers, please visit the website www.comai.space.

Job description

The RU subproject P6 is based at the ZeMKI, University of Bremen, and the Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans Bredow Institute. P6 will investigate communicative AI in the field of political discourse through online discourse monitoring and intervention. Using a largely experimental approach, we will investigate the impact of social bots on the quality of public deliberation in social media with the help of large language models (LLMs). By combining discourse theory with the latest innovations in LLMs, we will both monitor and actively intervene in public policy discussions.

Tasks

The Research Associate (f/m/d) will be responsible for tasks related to data collection and analysis. Responsibilities include in particular:

• Conducting and analyzing online experiments and online surveys
• Planning and implementation of participant recruitment
• Co-conception of the content analysis 
• Co-authoring relevant parts of publications and reports, in particular the ComAI trend report
• Literature research on concepts of discourse patterns and intervention strategies 

The position offers the possibility of a doctorate. It is expected that this will be written in the thematic field of the project.

Requirements

• Very good Master's degree in communication and media studies (e.g. psychology, political science, sociology) 
• Good knowledge of online political communication research 
• Experience with standardized methods (online experiment, stand-alone survey, content analysis) 
• Experience with statistical modeling (ideally with R) 
• Excellent knowledge of German, very good knowledge of English (written and spoken) 
• Strong communication skills and willingness to collaborate within the project team and research group 

Also desirable:

• Knowledge in the field of climate or science communication 
• Knowledge in the field of deliberation theory 
• Interest in qualitative methods

General Information

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has retained its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since it was founded 50 years ago. With a broad range of subjects, we combine exceptional performance with great potential for innovation. As an ambitious research university, we stand for the approach of research-based learning and a pronounced orientation towards interdisciplinarity. We actively organise scientific cooperation worldwide in a spirit of partnership.

Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are firmly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice and climate neutrality. Our Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to try new things, in supportive cooperation and in respect and appreciation for one another. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe and the world.

The University of Bremen is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

The University of Bremen endeavours to increase the proportion of women in the academic field and therefore expressly encourages women to apply.

Disabled persons with essentially equal professional and personal qualifications will be given preferential consideration.

If you have any questions regarding the job advertisement, please email Cornelius Puschmann (puschmannprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de).

Please send applications with the usual documents (cover letter, CV, MA thesis, any other publications, certificates) by 27.09.2024, quoting the reference number A270-24, by e-mail (as one file in PDF format) to Svenja Strohdeicher svenja.strohdeicherprotect me ?!vw.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de

Universität Bremen
ZeMKI, Svenja Strohdeicher
Postfach 33 04 40
28334 Bremen

Any travelling expenses for job interviews may be covered after consultation.

We kindly ask you to send us only copies (no portfolios) of your application documents, as we cannot return them. They will be destroyed after the selection process has been completed.