Research Assistant (m/f/d), EG 13 TV-H - Research Center for Information System Design (ITeG)

The position offers the possibility for further academic qualification.

Part-time position with half the working hours of a full-time employee (20,00 work hours per week). Position for academic qualification corresponding to § 65 HHG i. V. m. § 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 WissZeitVG; opportunity for PhD project.

The position is part of the research project Re:coding algorithmic culture.

The project “Re:coding algorithmic culture“ focusses on the question how algorithms generate, reproduce or undermine existing settings of power and disparity. Sitting at the interface of artistic-creative and socio-scientific research along with technical analysis and informatics, the project aims to understand how algorithmic processes create and manifest inequality. It will use a series of nine experimental “Re:coding Labs” and an intersectional and interdisciplinary approach to explore and demonstrate this topic in detail. The research formats will include hackathons, game-jams, coding-workshops, participatory design labs, design noir experiments, performance and exhibitions along with video- and text analyses. All those serve the re/organization and the advancement of critical knowledge in the digital-real space.

“Re:coding algorithmic culture” is funded by VW-Stiftung.

Tasks:

• Individual and collaborative research at the intersection of informatics, arts and design, such as:
  • revisiting modes of practice in informatics through artistic research
  • co-developing modalities of critically examining algorithms
  • co-developing inclusive, participatory, multimodal ways of making algorithmic culture more transparent and accessible
  • interrogating the semiotic-material aspects of algorithmic culture through experimental settings

• Taking care of the practical organization the lab meetings, workshops and experimental formats
• Contribute to project documentation, incl. the planned publication

Your Profile and Requirements:

“Re:coding algorithmic culture” is a highly transdisciplinary and experimental project. The ideal candidate would need to have background that enables them to navigate between art, design or development and theory. Applicable fields are, for example: digital media, art, design, informatics. computer science, feminist science and technology studies, gender studies, digital media/art, philosophy of science. This short-term position. Specifically, the candidate should:

• Have a completed university degree (M.F.A./ M.A./MS.c. level) in digital media, fine arts, design, media informatics or a related field
• Have at least intermediary level of knowledge in one of the following fields: (trans)gender studies, critical race studies, postcolonial studies, crip theory and an interest in socially responsible technology development
• Have a strong interest in academic and artistic research, experience in inter-/transdisciplinary work, as well as pronounced methodological and analytical skills
• Furthermore, the position requires very good communication and organizational skills and team-orientation
• Very good knowledge of English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of German is a plus, but not required
• Experience with organization of workshops, labs and other formats
• Experience with the acquisition of research funds will be considered an advantage

We offer:

• A diversified and creative work environment in an engaged, growing team. GeDIS is both, part of the faculty of Electrical Engineering/Computing and part of the ITeG research center, which focuses on sociotechnical approaches to information technology design.  This gives you the opportunity to practice interdisciplinary scholarship
• A possibility to advance your academic career by gaining experience in research, research management and academic publishing
• A chance to practice interdisciplinary and collaborative work as well as to contribute to the development of an innovative research lab program
• Life-domain-balance through flexible office hours and support in combining work and personal life

For questions about this position please contact Prof. Dr. Claude Draude, Tel.: +49 561-804-6028, E-Mail: claude.draude[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

Application procedure:

Please submit your application (stating reference number) - including a letter of interest, CV, one or two writing samples, copies of all university degrees and contact details of two referees (full address including email) -  in digital form (acceptable only as single pdf file) to bewerbungen[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

Hard copy applications (stating reference number) with relevant documents are to be addressed to the President of the University of Kassel, Mönchebergstr. 19, 34109 Kassel, Germany. Please send no original files, since these cannot be returned after completing the selection procedure; they will be eliminated according to German data law after completion of the process.

We gladly accept applications in English or German.

The University of Kassel is an equal opportunity employer and aims at a clear increase of the proportion of women in research and teaching. Qualified women are therefore expressly requested to apply. Under the precondition of equal qualification, disabled persons will be preferred. Applications indicating the Position Number, which may be in digital form, should be sent to the President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany or bewerbungen[at]uni-kassel[dot]de, quoting the applicable reference number in the subject.