PhD student Student in Information Studies: Archives and Authenticity - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

At the Department of ALM (Archival Studies, Library and Information Studies, Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies) with starting date August 14, 2023 at the earliest.

The Department of ALM (Archival Studies, Information Studies and Museum- and Cultural Heritage Studies) offers second-cycle education in the Master’s Programme in Archival Studies, Information Studies and Museum- and Cultural Heritage Studies and in the Master's Programme in Digital Humanities. The department also conducts doctoral-level education in Information Studies. The department currently has about twenty teachers and researchers and seven doctoral students. The department also includes the Centre for Digital Humanities Uppsala (CDHU), which offers support to researchers at Uppsala University in learning and implementing digital tools and methods for the humanities and social sciences.

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Duties
The recruited doctoral student will be working in the research project Artificial Intelligence as a risk and opportunity for the authenticity of archives, a Wallenberg NETX (Networking Excellence Projects in the Humanities and Social Sciences for the Study of Consequences and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems) funded research network between Uppsala University and Linnaeus University. Two doctoral students will be recruited for the project, one (information studies) based at Uppsala University and one (computer and information science) at Linnaeus University. The project is multidisciplinary and combines perspectives from AI and archival and heritage studies.

A major outcome of the doctoral project comprises a tested framework for maintaining and assessing the authenticity of historical evidence held at archival institutions developed to inform the implementation of selected AI techniques in archives and related institutions. The doctoral student is expected to conduct empirical research (incl. analysis of archival descriptions and classifications, records and documents, AI/ML techniques, interviews and co-creation). Conceptually, the study can be expected to benefit of comprehensive consideration of archival diplomatics, archives management and knowledge organisation theory. The work includes collaboration with the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet) and other archival organisations in Sweden, and an eight-month exchange period spent at Linnaeus University.

To support the training and research work, the NETX Network will organise a comprehensive programme of networking activities consisting of doctoral research workshops with invited external mentors, regular research seminars, supervisory meetings with local supervisors, and meetings with the whole project staff. The recruited applicant will also have the opportunity to link up with the new graduate school DASH in Digital humanities at the Centre for Digital Humanities Uppsala, Wallenberg Autonomous Systems in Humanities and Society (WASP-HS) graduate school, the doctoral school in information studies ReSource, and the international InterPARES Trust AI research project. Supervisors of the doctoral project are Professor Anna Foka (Department of ALM) and Professor Isto Huvila (Department of ALM).

To be considered, the project outlined in the research statement submitted for consideration as a part of the application needs to be completable by the applicant and to combine perspectives from artificial intelligence (machine learning, deep learning) and archival and heritage studies in a doctoral thesis in the field of information studies.

Education at the doctoral level
Education at the doctoral level consists of 4 years doctoral studentship (doktorandanställning). Doctoral students are expected to pursue their studies full-time and actively take part in the activities of the department. Departmental duties (typically teaching and administration) not exceeding 20% can be included in the positions. Applicants are required to have very good competence of both written and oral academic English. Doctoral education in Information Studies is regulated by the general study plan: abm.uu.se > Forskning > Utbildning på forskarnivå (https://abm.uu.se/utbildning/utbildning-pa-forskarniva/). English translation of the official Swedish version can be found at abm.uu.se > Research > Doctoral studies (https://www.abm.uu.se/research/postgraduate_studies/)

Requirements

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Information Studies, Library and Information Science, Archival Science, Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies, Digital Humanities or a corresponding degree in a nearby field. 

Additional qualifications

Great importance is attached to the applicant's capability to complete the dissertation project within 48 months. Very good knowledge of English is also meriting.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Application

Applications should include

• short CV,
• verified copy of the degree certificate for a relevant master’s degree (or equivalent) and a diploma supplement, and a transcript of records (if applicable)
• motivation letter and a research statement that discusses the state-of-the-art relevant for the project and how it can be pushed forward (see below)
• copies of written material (e.g., Master’s thesis) and other relevant documentation and written works the applicant chooses to present as a support for his/her application.

Motivation letter and research statement
The motivation letter with a research statement shall not exceed 3,000 words plus references. For this position placed in a project, the primary purpose of the research statement is to provide guidance in the selection process. It is vital that the statement reflects familiarity with the fields of archival studies, digital humanities, heritage studies and information studies, and is based on questions and perspectives of high relevance to those fields. The statement must be written in English.

Selection
The selection will be based on candidate’s ability to profit by the education and to successfully complete the doctoral education. Considerable emphasis will be placed on the submitted research statements.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Salary According to local collective agreements. Starting date 14th of August or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: (name + phone number + email).

Please submit your application by 8th of May 2023, UFV-PA 2023/216.

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