Research Assistant in Ethics of Digitalization (in the Project "INFRADEM – Democratizing Digital Infrastructures" funded by the Volkswagen Foundation)

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 project
• Design, organize, and facilitate workshops and exchange formats with international project partners
• Conduct independent research on power structures and the democratization of digital infrastructures, as well as techno-political ideologies and selected constellations of actors
• Produce high-quality academic publications and other project-related research outputs
• Translate research findings into formats accessible to policymakers, civil society, and wider public audiences in collaboration with the project team
• Contribute to the project's science communication and public engagement activities

Your profile

Required Qualifications

• A university degree (Diploma or Master’s) in philosophy or a comparable field
• A strong publication record in at least one of the following areas:
  • Critical Digital Studies
  • Democratic Theory
  • Philosophy or Ethics of Digitalization
  • Infrastructure Studies
  • Philosophy of Technology
  • Theories of Power and Democracy in relation to digital technologies, or a closely related field
• Excellent 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 field
• Experience working in interdisciplinary and international research collaborations
• Experience participating in or coordinating externally funded research projects
• Interest in transdisciplinary research and science communication
• Strong organizational skills, the ability to work independently, and a collaborative approach to teamwork

We offer

• The opportunity to contribute to an internationally connected, interdisciplinary research project with significant societal relevance and public visibility
• An excellent research environment within the growing Department of Ethics of Digitalization
• Close collaboration with renowned academic and civil society partners across Europe
• Opportunities to further develop your own research profile through publications, conference presentations, and international collaboration
• A family-friendly working environment, flexible working hours, and the benefits of employment in the German public sector
• The 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 institutions

Our 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.

Contact

For questions regarding the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Anna-Verena Nosthoff: