Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg 
Oldenburg, Germany Resumen de la oferta
The University of Oldenburg invites a Postdoctoral Researcher for the INFRADEM project, a Volkswagen‑Funded, trans‑disciplinary study on democratic design of digital infrastructures. The role involves coordinating research, organising workshops with partners in Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, conducting independent studies on power structures and techno‑political ideologies, and producing scholarly and policy‑oriented outputs. Candidates should hold a Master’s (or equivalent) in philosophy or a related field, have a strong publication record in critical digital studies, democratic theory or similar, and excellent English. The position offers a full‑time, flexible, family‑friendly environment, opportunities for international collaboration, and affiliation with the Critical Data Lab network.
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Descripción del proyecto
About us:
The Field of Ethics of Digitalization at the Institute of Philosophy, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg (Head: Prof. Dr. Anna-Verena Nosthoff), invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position beginning on 1 January 2027. The position is part of the third-party funded research project "INFRADEM – Democratizing Digital Infrastructures", supported by the Volkswagen Foundation.
The research within the area “Ethics of Digitalization” focuses on the societal and political implications of digital technologies. Its areas of expertise include the influence of major technology corporations on democratic societies, the digital transformation of the public sphere, the ethics and politics of immersive technologies, and emerging forms of technological authoritarianism and their ideological foundations.
About the INFRADEM Project
Digital infrastructures increasingly shape how societies communicate, participate politically, and make collective decisions. At the same time, key technological systems—from digital platforms and cloud infrastructures to AI applications—are largely developed and governed by a small number of private actors. INFRADEM investigates how digital infrastructures can be designed and governed in more democratic ways, and which institutional, political, and societal conditions are necessary to achieve this.
INFRADEM is a transdisciplinary European research and innovation project that combines fundamental research with practice-oriented innovation. Together with partner institutions in Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, the project develops democratic design concepts for digital infrastructures, participatory models of self-governance, and concrete policy recommendations. The project is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation for five years and carried out in collaboration with the University of Luxembourg, Paderborn University, CeMAS, and Waag Futurelab.Your tasks: Contribute to the scientific and strategic coordination of the collaborative research projectDesign, organize, and facilitate workshops and exchange formats with international project partnersConduct independent research on power structures and the democratization of digital infrastructures, as well as techno-political ideologies and selected constellations of actorsProduce high-quality academic publications and other project-related research outputsTranslate research findings into formats accessible to policymakers, civil society, and wider public audiences in collaboration with the project teamContribute to the project's science communication and public engagement activitiesYour profile: Required Qualifications A university degree (Diploma or Master’s) in philosophy or a comparable fieldA strong publication record in at least one of the following areas:Critical Digital StudiesDemocratic TheoryPhilosophy or Ethics of DigitalizationInfrastructure StudiesPhilosophy of TechnologyTheories of Power and Democracy in relation to digital technologies, or a closely related fieldExcellent written and spoken English Desirable/preferred qualifications A completed PhD, or a dissertation submitted for examination, in Philosophy, Science and Technology Studies (STS), Media Studies, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a closely related fieldExperience working in interdisciplinary and international research collaborationsExperience participating in or coordinating externally funded research projectsInterest in transdisciplinary research and science communicationStrong organizational skills, the ability to work independently, and a collaborative approach to teamworkWe offer: The opportunity to contribute to an internationally connected, interdisciplinary research project with significant societal relevance and public visibilityAn excellent research environment within the growing Department of Ethics of DigitalizationClose collaboration with renowned academic and civil society partners across EuropeOpportunities to further develop your own research profile through publications, conference presentations, and international collaborationA family-friendly working environment, flexible working hours, and the benefits of employment in the German public sectorThe opportunity to become affiliated with the Critical Data Lab (Humboldt University of Berlin / University of Oldenburg) and benefit from its international network Opportunities to undertake research visits—or, where appropriate, practice-oriented placements—with the project's international academic and non-academic partner institutionsOur standards: The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.
