UiB - Knowledge that shapes society
UiB shall be among Europe's leading universities, internationally recognized for high quality in research and education. As a societal institution, we shall contribute to sustainable and democratic development and be an attractive and inclusive place to study and work.
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https://youtu.be/i4SDcLir6OcResearch Assistant
There is a vacancy for seven, 50% Research Assistant position at MediaFutures: Research Centre for Responsible Media Technology & Innovation, the Department of Information Science and Media Studies, University of Bergen. The position is a fixed-term period from 1 September 2026 to 31 December 2026. The positions are connected to two new research projects at the intersection of artificial intelligence, media technology, trustworthy information, and responsible innovation. Total employment as a research assistant cannot exceed two years.
Research assistant is a recruitment position where the main task is to be a supporting entity to the academic staff in their instructional and research endeavors. The position will provide the opportunity to gain insight into scientific work and methodology.
About the projects:
CuratedAI - 4 positions
CuratedAI investigates how news media can communicate AI use in ways that are meaningful, understandable, and useful for different audiences. The project focuses on AI transparency, media literacy, trustworthy news, and audience-specific explanations for AI-supported media systems. Topics include personalized news feeds, AI-generated content, content provenance, automated fact-checking, moderation tools, and responsible communication of algorithmic influence.
VaccAI - 3 positions
VaccAI investigates how vaccine-related beliefs and misinformation develop across media ecosystems, with a focus on Norway and Ukraine. The project combines responsible AI, media analysis, health communication, misinformation detection, and crisis-aware modelling. A central part of the work involves processing and preparing large-scale textual data, including more than one million vaccine-related news articles, for analysis. The aim is to generate research insights and practical tools that can support journalists, fact-checkers, and media organizations in identifying emerging misinformation and understanding changes in public trust. For VaccAI, we particularly encourage data science-oriented students with backgrounds in Information Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, or related fields.
About MediaFutures
MediaFutures is a centre for research-based innovation at the Department for information science and media studies, University of Bergen, and will be located at Media City Bergen. The centre is a part of the Norwegian Research Council’s Research-based Innovation scheme.
MediaFutures will in cooperation with industry partners from news media and media technology research topics like media experiences, recommender technology, content production and analysis, content interaction and availability, and Norwegian language technology. The goal is to develop responsible technological solutions to societal challenges like AI, fake news, echo chambers and political polarization. The results will be new digital tools, analytical methods and content types for the future of media. The centre will also perform research training within media technology and innovation. This will create outputs such as new patents, prototypes, research articles and software, as well and innovative start-up companies.
Read more about the centre at www.mediafutures.no
Who we are looking for
We are looking for students with project-specific backgrounds and skills:
VaccAI profile: We particularly encourage data science-oriented students with backgrounds in Information Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, or related fields, with an interest in large-scale textual data, computational text analysis, statistics, and Python or comparable tools.
CuratedAI profile: We are also open to students with backgrounds in interaction design, user interface design, prototype development, MIX/media technology, digital humanities, media studies, or related fields.
Applicants should indicate clearly in their motivation letter whether they are applying for CuratedAI, VaccAI, or both.
Applicants must be living in Norway by the time of application.
About the work tasks:
The Research Assistant will support the Centre Director in scientific, technical and admin tasks and personal responsibilities also reste with the director. Work tasks include:
- data collection, structured data cleaning, preprocessing, and duplicate checking
- manual validation, annotation, and coding of media/news content
- computational text analysis, natural language processing, machine learning, or Python/comparable tools
- statistics, quantitative analysis, and variable preparation
- visualization and dashboard development
- interaction design, user interface design, prototype development, or digital humanities methods
- user studies, surveys, or interviews
- media analysis, misinformation, AI ethics, or responsible AI
Qualifications and personal qualities:
- The applicant should as a minimum be a bachelor’s student in information or media science, computer science or relevant disciplines.
- The position requires ICT competences.
- It requires programming skills for the VaccAI position.
- Proficiency in both written and oral English.
- Structured and solution-oriented team player who thrives in a work environment with expectations of high levels of performance.
- Knowledge of the Centre’s activities, media and/or technology industry is a benefit.
We can offer:
- A good and professionally challenging working environment.
- A 50% position
- Yearly salary at NOK 455 000 (code 1018-1019) on the government salary scale (in a 100% position). Yearly salary of NOK 519 400, - if completed master’s degree (code 1020).
- Primary workplace is Media City Bergen.
- Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Good welfare benefits
Your application must include:
Application with CV, copies of diplomas, certificates of education and other relevant documents with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge (by the link on this page marked “Apply for this job”.)
Closing date: August 7th, 2026.
Prior to hiring, potential candidates will be interviewed.
Interviews will be conducted August 13/14, 2026.
General information:
Practical questions about the application process should be directed to office@mediafutures.no
Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.
The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.
Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.
The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.
We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.
Om arbeidsgiveren:
The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.
There are seven departments at Faculty of Social Sciences. Read more about the faculty and departments.
