Postdoctoral Fellowship in Artificial Intelligence in Investigative Journalism

Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway's third largest university with almost 22,000 students and over 2,500 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and at Romerike. OsloMet educates students and conducts research that contributes to the sustainability of the Norwegian welfare state and the metropolitan region.

Faculty of Social Sciences offers study programmes within archivistics, library and information science, journalism and media studies, social work, social policy and child welfare, public management and business.

The faculty has about 4200 students and nearly 280 members of staff.

The Department of Journalism and Media Studies has approximately 450 students and 30 employees. Study programmes and research are closely connected and exhibit our international profile.

The Department of Journalism and Media Studies offers a 3-year full-time postdoctoral fellowship.

The position is linked to the interdisciplinary team at the AI Journalism Resource Center and will engage in externally funded projects. The Postdoctoral fellowship will also be expected to play a crucial role in ongoing efforts to secure additional external funding. Moreover, there may be opportunities to contribute to educational programs within the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, enhancing both the academic and practical training offered to students.

The position offers a unique opportunity to impact both academic and practical landscapes of Journalism and AI research. 

Oslo Metropolitan University, The Department of Journalism and Media Studies invites applications for a postdoctoral position in Artificial Intelligence in Investigative Journalism. This role merges expertise in AI and journalism to spearhead interdisciplinary teams committed to conducting meaningful research that addresses significant societal and environmental challenges.

The successful candidate will hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field, such as:

• Artificial Intelligence or Computer Science.
• Alternatively, candidates with a PhD in Journalism will be considered if they can demonstrate exceptional skills and competencies in programming, data analysis, and artificial intelligence.

In addition, all candidates must have knowledge and experience in both AI and journalism.

Key skills required include a robust understanding of the legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks governing both AI and journalism. Candidates should possess outstanding communication skills for effective cross-disciplinary collaboration and a creative and innovative approach to problem-solving. Additional essential skills include advanced proficiency in Python and other programming languages, expertise in machine learning and natural language processing, and strong capabilities in data visualization and database management.

 

We are currently exploring the following key research questions:

• How can AI tools be optimized to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of data collection in investigative journalism without compromising ethical standards or privacy laws such as GDPR?
• What methodologies can be developed to ensure AI-driven investigative tools prioritize user-friendliness and accessibility for journalists with varying levels of technical expertise?[A1]  How can these methodologies be refined to optimise the interaction between journalist and AI based tools and methodologies.
• In what ways can machine learning algorithms be adapted to identify patterns and anomalies in large datasets while ensuring the transparency and explainability of the findings to support journalistic integrity?
• What are the best practices for maintaining the security and integrity of sensitive data in journalism when using AI tools, and how can these tools be designed to adhere to such practices?
• How can AI contribute to uncovering biases in news reporting and data collection, and what steps can be taken to mitigate these biases within AI-driven investigative tools?
• What frameworks can be established to evaluate the ethical implications of AI in journalism continuously, ensuring alignment with evolving legal and ethical standards?

While these questions guide our current projects, the dynamic nature of both AI technology and investigative journalism means that new challenges and questions are likely to emerge.

Candidates should be prepared to adapt and explore as new avenues of research open up, contributing to the ongoing development and refinement of AI methodologies in journalism.

 

Your main duties and areas of responsibility will be to

The Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to conduct research that contributes to realizing the objectives of the AI Journalism Resource Center. The Fellow will have the opportunity to carry out own research within the Resource Centers topics.

Conduct Research. Actively engage in research activities that support the goals of the AI Journalism Resource Center.

Collaborate Effectively. Ensure robust communication and collaboration with investigative journalism teams to align technological capabilities with journalistic needs.

Project Management. Manage, monitor, and follow up on individual projects within the Resource Center. This includes setting project milestones, coordinating team efforts, and ensuring projects are delivered on schedule.

Ethics and Compliance. Ensure all activities adhere strictly to ethical standards and comply with GDPR and other relevant privacy laws. This will involve regular reviews of methodologies and practices to align with evolving legal frameworks.

Innovative Development. Contribute to the innovation of new AI-based methodologies that enhance investigative journalism practices.

Contribute to Broader Projects: Participate in other projects within the AI Journalism Resource Centre's portfolio, offering your expertise and contributing to the success of a diverse range of initiatives.

Leadership in Funding Initiatives: Take a leading role in applying for grants and securing continued financial support for the AI Journalism Resource Center. This involves identifying potential funding opportunities, writing grant proposals, and engaging with funding bodies.

Qualification requirements

The applicant must:

• Hold a PhD degree in a relevant field, such as a doctoral degree in a relevant field, such as Artificial Intelligence or Computer Science. Candidates with a PhD in Journalism will be considered if they can demonstrate exceptional skills and competencies in programming, data analysis, and artificial intelligence.
• Good qualifications in qualitative research methods and research ethics, documented by independent contributions
• Be proficient in both written and oral English
• Good analytical skills
• Capacity to work independently, systematically and purposefully
• Good collaboration skills
• Professional commitment

Applicants who have submitted their doctoral thesis are eligible to apply. Accession to the position requires that the thesis has been approved and defended at the time of first submission.

The application must be accompanied by confirmation from the supervisor or Head of Department.

Applicants who do not have adequate proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, shall be offered Norwegian courses, and must acquire Norwegian skills corresponding to at least level B2 within three years of appointment.

 

Emphasis will be placed on

• research and development work of relevance for the position
• experience with research network and externally financed projects
• Strong interest in the topic of research
• Collaborative skills as well as ability to work on individual basis
• Interest in teaching and pedagogy
• Qualities which contribute positively to the work environment
• Good ability to communicate and cooperate with students and colleagues

 

It is important to OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavors to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to make adaptations to the workplace where required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have had periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.

 

We can offer you

• exciting job tasks at Norway’s third largest university
• participation in research groups and a creative and inspiring academic community
• good welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers
• pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

Employee benefits and information about relocating to Norway at the website Work for us.

The salary for the position is in accordance with the Basic Collective Agreement for state employees and OsloMets pay policy for (Postdoctoral fellow in code 1352) corresponding to 584 500 – 745 000 NOK per year. From the salary, 2% will be deducted in pension contributions for the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK).

 

Application Process

As part of the application process, candidates are required to submit a detailed text explaining how your background, knowlegde, skills and competences, can be used to strenghten the use of AI in investigation Journalism. This document should clearly articulate how you propose to research one or several of the key research questions identified earlier. Your submission should not only outline the research objectives and methodology but also demonstrate how your knowledge, skills, and competencies align with and will contribute to executing the specified tasks of the position.

 

Your project description should include:

Research Proposal. An explanation of your how your background, knowlegde, skills and competences, can be used to strenghten the use of AI in investigation Journalism. Specify how it could relate to the aforementioned research questions within the AI Journalism Resource Center’s scope.

Relevance to Tasks. A detailed description of how your approach and expertise will help realize the operational tasks associated with the role, such as adherence to ethical and legal standards, and innovation in AI methodologies.

Contribution to Field. Insights into how your work will advance the use of AI in investigative journalism, including potential impacts and innovations.

This document will be heavily weighted in the assessment of your application, reflecting your ability to contribute effectively to our team and the broader objectives of the AI Journalism Resource Center. [A2] 

Please ensure that your proposal is written in English.

If you wish to apply for the position, please apply electronically in our recruitment system.

 

Expert Committee

You will be assessed by an expert committee. Please upload the following documents together with your application by the application deadline:

• Application letter
• Project description/research proposal, including research focus, theoretical perspectives, methodological strategies and plans for progress and dissemination of output (max 10 pages)
• CV, reference letters, and all pages of certificates/diplomas. The certificates/diplomas must include ECTS grades (A-F9. Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the degree-conferring institution. Education taken abroad should be recognized in advance by HK-dir (Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills).
• A complete list of publications
• PhD dissertation
• Two references with contact information
  
  

We only consider applications submitted through our electronic recruitment system, and all documents must be uploaded for your application to be considered.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Before the application papers are forwarded to the expert committee, all applications will be reviewed by the faculty. Applications from applicants who do not meet the formal qualification requirements will not be forwarded for assessment.

The employment will be carried out in accordance with the principles of the Norwegian Public Service Act (lovdata.no), and legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology, and services.

OsloMet has adhered to the principles in the DORA declaration and obliged the institution to follow the recommendations in this declaration.

 

Other information

If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:

• Professor, Roy Krøvel, (+47) 917 54 425, roy.krovel@oslomet.no
• Associate Professor, Fabrizio Palumbo, (+47) 944 30 232, fabrizio.palumbo@oslomet.no
• Head of Department, Anne Hege Simonsen, (+47) 911 45 93, anne.hege.simonsen@oslomet.no

If you have documents that cannot be uploaded electronically, please contact hanne.landen@oslomet.no

 

Deadline for application: 25.10.2024   

Ref: 24/23583

 

OsloMet is a Charter & Code certified institution by the EU Commission holding the right to use the logo HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R). OsloMet is a member of the EURAXESS network supporting a positive work environment for researchers in motion.

OsloMet has signed The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognizes the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who are seen to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter law will not be considered for the position.

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