Postdoctoral Researcher in Library and Information Science

The Swedish School of Library and Information Science is Sweden’s largest education and research environment in the field of library and information science.  Our educational and research programmes have a strong  connection to the professions and an international character. Researchers tackle the digital challenges of our time, often with social science and humanities perspectives. 

Job description

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will conduct research within the framework of the Swedish Energy Agency-funded research project "ENSURE: Energy & Sustainability Research Effects - Quality, Impact and Sustainable Transition". The project studies how the quality of research and the societal effects of research on energy systems can be described and assessed, particularly focusing on how it contributes to sustainable transition. This includes understanding how research affects various aspects of the transition, from scientific advances and innovations to changes in individuals' behaviours, policy design, and organisational orientation.

The project integrates qualitative and quantitative perspectives in developing methods to study impact patterns and calibrate these methods through qualitative triangulation.   In this way, we hope to provide a more holistic and in-depth insight into how research in energy systems studies affects and is shaped by society and contributes to the transformation of socio-technical systems. The project is carried out in collaboration with researchers from Halmstad University and in close cooperation with the Swedish Energy Agency.  More specifically, the position in question will include:

• Experimental methodology development of quantitative methods to measure quality and utility in research.
• Studies of the function and significance of research through innovative quantitative measures based on the state-of-the-art in bibliometrics and altmetrics.
• Coordination of the project's implementation with the national infrastructure Huminfra, where results and methods from the project will contribute to training and resources.
• Teaching may be included in the work tasks, but no more than one-fifth of the working time.

As a postdoctoral researcher in the project, you should have expertise in the following areas:

• research on research or sociology of science
• quantitative analysis and statistics
• programming in one or more programming languages

Qualifications

For employment, the following is required:

• A doctoral degree in library and information science or other subject relevant to the subject content and work tasks included in the position. 
• Very good knowledge in the areas formulated under the job description above
• Expertise and interest in working in a programming environment
• Very good knowledge of English, spoken and written

Priority will be given to those who have obtained their degree no more than three years before the application deadline.  Those who obtained their degree earlier may also be considered if there are special reasons. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical service, union assignments or other similar circumstances.

Merits for this position are:

• Experience with natural language modelling (NLP) and machine learning.
• Experience of independent scientific publishing in areas relevant to the position's content.
• Experience in multidisciplinary contexts and cross-disciplinary research.
• Participation in research projects in areas relevant to the position's focus.
• Good knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language.
• Being collaborative and having experience working in different phases of a research project.

About the employment

Type of employment: Temporary position as postdoctoral appointment, 24 months.
Employment rate: 100%
Start date: 1 September 2024 or as agreed upon
Position location: Borås, Sweden
Registration number: PA2024/81

Contact 

For further information about the research project, please contact Associate Professor Gustaf Nelhans by phone +46 (0)33-435 5985 or email gustaf.nelhans@hb.se. For further information about the position, please contact Acting Head of Department Karen Nowé Hedvall via telephone +46 (0)33-435 44 83. The trade union representative is Maria Ferlin, Saco-S. Trade union representatives can be reached via the university switchboard, +46 (0)33-435 40 00. The union representative for OFR/S can be reached via stvidhb@hb.se.

Application 

You can apply for the position via our website by clicking on “Apply.” For more information on how to apply, please visit the Information for applicants webpage. 

Write clearly in your application which position you are applying for and include the applicable reference number.  The following documents must be attached to your application:

1. Cover page/personal letter with brief reason for your application where the position and subject area applied for is stated
2. CV (overview list of education and work experience in chronological order) with reference contact information and desired salary
3. Certificates/grades (including proof of completed doctoral degree) and other accomplishments that you would like taken into consideration.

Contact HR at hr@hb.se if you have scholarly publications that cannot be attached electronically directly to your application. Such publications must be received by the university no later than one week after the application deadline. After the application deadline, no additions can be made electronically.

Please submit your application by midnight 21 May 2024 (CET, Central European Time).

Other

The University of Borås provides good work conditions and benefits. Our modern campus is located in the city centre with good access to public transport. It offers good commuting opportunities. Working for sustainable societal development throughout our operations and working to promote diversity, equality, and accessibility are a given at the University of Borås.

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