The Computational Social Science Lab at the Institute for Interactive Systems and Data Science at Graz University of Technology has an open position, available from October 1^st, 2021 for a maximum fixed-term period of five years for a:

Postdoctoral researcher (m/f/d) Full Time (40 hours/week)

We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious candidate with a strong background in Computational Social Science or related disciplines studying human behavior with quantitative methods. Based on the ERC project PRODEMINFO (Protecting the Democratic Information Space in Europe) in collaboration with Stephan Lewandowsky at the University of Bristol, the position is open for a postdoctoral researcher in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Text analysis of historical corpora and social media text streams

• Retrieval and analysis of real-time social media data to configure and evaluate field experiments

• Leading the publication of articles presenting research results

• International collaboration with planned extended visits to collaborators in Bristol and possibly elsewhere

• Participation in the process of writing scientific grant proposals

• Contributing to the supervision of student theses related to the project

Required skills and experience

• Completed PhD or doctorate in a research topic related to Computational Social Science

• Experience analyzing text as data with explainable Natural Language Processing methods

• Experience analyzing social media data and social network structures

• Ability to work both independently as well as collaboratively in interdisciplinary and international teams

• Excellent communication skills: presenting research at conferences and leading the publication of research results

• Fluent in English

Desirable skills and experience

• Data Science experience in a common programming language for data analysis (e.g. R, python)

• Formal education in the social and behavioral sciences (e.g. psychology, political science)

• Proven research interest in topics related to manipulation, misinformation, and polarization

• Machine learning experience with a critical approach to its application to study human behavior

• Experience writing and managing projects funded by third-party grants

What we offer

• Access to state-of-the-art latest technologies and computing infrastructure

• Exciting opportunities for professional and personal development

• Excellent work-life balance (flexible working schedule)

• Dynamic, creative and multi-cultural team connecting psychologists with computer scientists

• Informal and stimulating working atmosphere st

• The earliest starting date is October 1^st, 2021, but later starting dates are possible too

Job Grading in Accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreement: The gross salary for this position amounts to 3.945,90 per month (full-time basis, 14x per year) with Doctoral degree.

To apply, please send your full CV, a publication list, a cover letter explaining why you are suited for this role as well as any other supporting documents to Graz University of Technology, Institute for Interactive Systems and Data Science, Inffeldgasse 16c, A-8010 Graz: dgarcianoSpam@tugraz.at, specifying the position you are applying to. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. In case of questions, please contact Prof. David Garcia (dgarcianoSpam@tugraz.at).

Application deadline: 1^st September 2021