Academic research positions (internet studies, technophilic humanities/social sciences) for the ERC research project “Coded Secrets: Artistic Interventions Hidden in the Digital Fabric” (2022-2027)

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – Germany

In our research project “Coded Secrets: Artistic Interventions Hidden in the Digital Fabric” (2022-2027) we trace, analyse, document and theorize valuable cultural online production that is withdrawn in various ways and thus is in danger to disappear without broader notice. We are hiring a specialist from social sciences, cultural studies, internet studies, or technophilic humanities.

Project information: https://kg.ikb.kit.edu/hinterwaldner/3068.php
Application open now: https://kg.ikb.kit.edu/hinterwaldner/3257.php

We are hiring!

Are you interested in online art & culture?
Do you see a mutual benefit in interdisciplinary contexts and methods?
Are you an ambitious and/or experienced researcher?
Do you love conceptual challenges?
Do you have a forensic soul and want to get to the bottom of things?
Do you like experimental trouble-shooting?
Do you work independently, proactively, reliably?
Are you a flexible team player with excellent communication skills? …

… then we can offer you the perfect working environment!

We are looking for
an expert in one of the following fields: social sciences, internet studies, media studies, cultural studies, specialists from applied digital media studies and related disciplines.

targets and tasks
• develop ways how to retrieve cultural production in online communities
• build and maintain contact to diverse online communities
• develop and implement strategies on how to crowd source information within such communities
• conduct and evaluate interviews

skills
• extrovert having excellent communication skills and sensitivity
• multi-tasking abilities, being able to handle a bigger number of contacts
• joy for thinking outside the box
• interest in spanning the bow from basic research data retrieval to theorizing and conceptualizing the finds

general
• you hold a university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant subject area
• you will contribute to the team’s goal of merging the methods from the fields of visual design, computer science, software studies and art history and discussing their theoretical limits and possibilities.
• you engage in a close cooperation with your team members to conceptualise novel visualisations of unseen software processes/structures
• you support the organization of workshops and project meetings and contribute to the joint MediaWiki
• you engage in your academic/creative contexts and present the research results in workshops and conferences worldwide
• ideally you have overlapping interests across the complementary fields outlined above

context
In our ERC research project “Coded Secrets” https://kg.ikb.kit.edu/hinterwaldner/3068.php (COSE, 2022-2027) at KIT Karlsruhe (Germany), internet artworks and their environments are examined complementarily on the levels of user interface, code, network protocols, as well as technical and cultural contexts from interdisciplinary perspectives.

team
Our international team consists of 5+ specialists from the fields of computer science/ code and network analysis, information visualization/multimedia, art history. COSE will be part of the exciting Karlsruhe new media art landscape!

we offer
• an attractive and modern workplace with access to the excellent equipment of one of the most distinguished technical universities in Germany (current “excellence status” (https://www.kit.edu/kit/english/excellence_strategy.php)
• a varied and responsible job
• a wide range of further training opportunities
• the world-renowned ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe is our cooperation partner

salary
internationally competitive remuneration on the basis of the wage agreement of the German civil service TV-L (depending on your qualification level)

qualification – flexibility
you can apply as a doctoral student, and seek full-time or part-time employment (we simply look for the best talent!). It is possible to conduct the PhD research within the project if the topic matches.

affiliation / location
Institute of Art and Architectural History
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Hertzstr. 16
D-76187 Karlsruhe
Germany

contract duration
up to 4 years

starting date
November 1st, 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter

application up to
October1st, 2023, open until filled

contact the PI
For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Inge Hinterwaldner
e-mail: Inge.Hinterwaldner@kit.edu

application
Please submit your application
• CV
• Portfolio (if applicable)
• cover letter with motivation statement
• description of the PhD project
to Helga.Lechner@kit.edu

inclusion
• we cherish diversity and internationality. Therefore, we kindly encourage applicants from all backgrounds and identities to apply
• if qualified, handicapped applicants will be preferred
• researchers from Ukraine are especially encouraged to apply

services
KIT is certified as a family-friendly university and offers part-time employment, leaves for family-related reasons, dual career options, and individual coaching for family-work balance.

https://www.kit.edu
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is one of Germany’s leading research universities and stands for excellent research, outstanding academic education, and future-oriented innovation.