Research assistants in VaccAI and CuratedAI at MediaFutures

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Research assistants

There are two research assistant vacancies linked to VaccAI and CuratedAI at the Department of Information Science and Media Studies, University of Bergen, in the MediaFutures research environment. The positions will support research led by Professor Christoph Trattner.

• VaccAI: one 40% position starting as soon as possible after the application deadline of 15 November 2026, by agreement, and ending on 30 September 2028.
• CuratedAI: one 30% position starting as soon as possible after the application deadline of 15 November 2026, by agreement, and ending on 30 September 2028.

Research assistant is a recruitment position supporting academic staff in their teaching and research. The positions provide an opportunity to gain insight into scientific work and methodology. Total employment as a research assistant cannot exceed two years.

About the projects

VaccAI is a Research Council of Norway funded project examining vaccine related claims in the news and the information environment surrounding vaccination. The project combines analysis of news content with research on how people encounter and evaluate health information. Research assistants will help prepare and analyse research material and support empirical studies of vaccine communication and AI assisted approaches to assessing claims.

CuratedAI is a Research Council of Norway funded project examining artificial intelligence and transparency in journalism. It investigates how the use of AI in producing and verifying news can be communicated to audiences, and how transparency measures affect their understanding and evaluation of news. The research includes AI disclosure, provenance and watermarking approaches, and the needs of journalists and the public.

About MediaFutures

MediaFutures is a Centre for Research based Innovation hosted by the Department of Information Science and Media Studies at the University of Bergen, with its primary workplace at Media City Bergen. In collaboration with news media and technology partners, the centre develops responsible media technology and investigates media experiences, recommender systems, content production and analysis, and audience interaction. Read more at www.mediafutures.no.

Work tasks

The research assistants will formally report to the PI of the two projects Professor Christoph Trattner and support the relevant project teams in scientific, technical and project related administrative tasks. Tasks may include:

• Preparing, collecting, cleaning and documenting research data, including news content, survey responses and experimental data.
• Programming research tools, setting up study infrastructure and supporting online surveys and experiments.
• Reviewing literature, annotating research material and assisting with quantitative or qualitative analyses.
• Contributing to research documentation, reports, publications and dissemination activities.
• Providing practical and administrative support directly related to the assigned project.

In VaccAI, the work will focus on vaccine related news and health claims. In CuratedAI, it will focus on AI use in journalism, transparency and audience responses. Specific tasks will be agreed according to project needs and the successful candidates’ qualifications.

Qualifications and personal qualities

• Applicants should, as a minimum, be bachelor’s students in information science, media studies, computer science or another relevant discipline.
• ICT competence and programming skills are required.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Norwegian is required.
• Applicants should be structured, solution oriented and able to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Experience with data collection, data analysis, surveys or experiments is an advantage.
• An interest in health communication and vaccine information is relevant to VaccAI; an interest in journalism, AI transparency and audience research is relevant to CuratedAI.
• Knowledge of the MediaFutures research environment and the media or technology sector is an advantage.

We can offer

• A good and professionally challenging working environment, with opportunities to gain practical research experience.
• Salary according to the applicable research assistant category: Gross annual salary as research assistant for bachelor students (code 1018) NOK 455 000, -. For candidates with a bachelor’s degree (code 1019), the gross annual salary will be NOK 470 200.-. For candidates with a master’s degree (code 1020), the annual salary will be NOK 519 400,-. The salary mentioned is for a 100% position.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund and good welfare benefits.
• Primary workplace at Media City Bergen.

Your application must include

• An application letter describing your motivation and relevant experience. Please indicate whether you are applying for VaccAI, CuratedAI or both positions.
• A CV, copies of diplomas, certificates of education and other relevant documents, with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language where required.

Applications and attachments must be uploaded through Jobbnorge using the “Apply for this job” link. Application deadline: 15 November 2026. Potential candidates will be invited for an interview.