Postdoc in critical data studies

Södertörn University is a higher education institution in Stockholm that conducts education, research, and collaboration for sustainable societal development. We have around 14 000 students, 80 programmes and 300 courses, and we conduct education and research in the humanities, social sciences, technology and natural sciences. The university also offers police education and teacher education with an intercultural profile. A great deal of our research relates to the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe. We combine subjects, perspectives, people and experiences, and are worldminded, curious and questioning, searching for surprising syntheses, challenges and development.

About the project and the research environment
AI can now create synthetic data – data that were not collected in the real world, but which are used to train algorithms, test hypotheses, and make decisions. These could be generated patient records, images that were never taken or datasets that imitate reality. But what happens when science and society start producing knowledge using data that have never existed? How does this shape our view of facts, transparency and trust? What new opportunities open up – and what risks arise?

Do you want to explore how AI-generated synthetic data change what we call facts and knowledge? The “Synthetic Data: Facts, Representations, and Transparency” project investigates precisely these issues. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will join a creative and interdisciplinary research group investigating how these new forms of data create opportunities – and risks – as regards transparency, representation and trust in science and society.

As a postdoctoral research fellow in the project, you will work at the Department of Media Technology. Media Technology is an interdisciplinary subject that provides research and education in the intersections between technology, humans and society. The university website has an overview of Media Technology and our publications.

You will also be part of the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanity and Society (WASP-HS), a national research programme. WASP-HS’s vision is to promote new interdisciplinary knowledge in the humanities and social sciences concerning AI, autonomous systems and their impact on human and societal development. WASP-HS facilitates revolutionary research, expertise and competence building in the humanities and social sciences.

Job description
As a postdoctoral research fellow, you will conduct independent research on synthetic data with a focus on critical and analytical theories and methods, including:

• examining how synthetic data are produced, legitimised and used in different contexts,
• analysing the issues that arise when AI-generated representations replace or supplement “real” data,
• contributing to theoretical development in critical data and algorithm studies, STS (science and technology studies) or related fields,
• collaboration with researchers in the research group and the national WASP-HS network, and contributing to the group’s methodological toolkits, publications and workshops.

Teaching and supervision may occur, up to a maximum 20% of your working hours. Administrative duties may also be included in the position, such as organising seminars, workshops or conferences. Teaching is conducted in English.

Qualifications
An individual is qualified to apply for a position as a postdoctoral research fellow if they have a doctoral degree, or a qualification from abroad that is equivalent to a doctoral degree. This requirement must be fulfilled at the time the decision on employment is made. For this position, relevant degree subjects could include media technology, technology and science studies, gender studies, media and communication studies, sociology, anthropology, or history of science. Other subjects may also be of interest.

Primary consideration should be given to someone who was awarded the above qualifications within the three years prior to the deadline for application for employment as a postdoctoral research fellow. Someone who has a doctoral degree or a qualification from abroad that is equivalent to a doctoral degree from an earlier date may be considered if there are exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances are leave due to ill health, parental leave, positions of trust in trades union organisations, service in the Swedish armed forces, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other practice/commissions relevant to the subject.

The applicant must also have the personal skills necessary to meet the demands of the position and to be able to represent the university in a way that benefits its activities.

This position requires an excellent ability to express yourself in written and spoken English.

Research expertiseis demonstrated through a scholarly thesis and other scholarly publications in the relevant subject area and participation in research projects.

Grounds for assessment
The following grounds for assessment have been established for this position (in order of importance): The below items must be documented.

• Research expertise in relevant areas
• Documented experience of conducting and publishing research in a relevant area

For complete information about qualifications and the criteria for assessing them, please read Södertörn University’s Appointments Procedure

Personal qualities

• Collaboration focused
• Analytical
• Solution oriented
• Good cooperation skills

Employment
The position is full time and for a period of 36 months. First date of employment as agreed.

Application
The application deadline is 25 November 2025.

Additional information
Francis Lee, Professor of Media Technology, project leader, tel: +46 (0)73 441 4219, [emailprotected]
Martin Jonsson, Professor of Media Technology, subject coordinator, tel: +46 (0)70371 3159, [emailprotected]
Johan Bornebusch, Head of Department, Media Technology, tel: +46 (0)70373 1013, [emailprotected]
Marie Granroth, HR Generalist, [emailprotected]

In the final decision on employment, the title of this position will be Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Media Technology at the School of Natural Sciences, Technology, and Environmental Studies.

Welcome with your application! On our website, sh.se/vacantpositions, there is an application template that the applicant needs to follow. Publications referred to must be attached to the application. An application that is not complete or arrives at Södertörn University after the closing date may be rejected. Union representatives: SACO: [emailprotected] ST: [emailprotected] SEKO: [emailprotected] and Robert Lindberg [emailprotected] Södertörn University has made strategic advertisement choices for this recruitment. Therefore, we decline all contact with advertisers and other salespersons of advertisement.