Predoctoral position in De-CRIPT
19 hours ago
Madrid
Organisation/Company Universitat de Barcelona Department OPIR Research Field Anthropology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 31 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 4 May 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Reference Number Nº GA 101162083 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer Description Project in the research group of PI Dr. Cecilia Vergnano An anthropological study of truth wars from marginalized standpoints (De-CRIPT) Description: De-CRIPT explores a growing tension in Western Europe: as socioeconomic inequalities deepen, struggles over what counts as “true” become increasingly visible in the infosphere and across everyday life ( Drążkiewicz 2023, Postill 2024). To trace these dynamics, De-CRIPT focuses on two influential conspiracy frameworks – The Great Replacement and The Great Reset – across four communities marked by different histories of dispossession or devaluation. Rather than assuming two neatly opposed sides, the project treats these struggles as unfolding on two intersecting dimensions. On one level, a constellation of truths (Corntassel et al 2024) unfold, ranging from official or mainstream explanations of social events to alternative, critical, or conspiracist interpretations. These narratives often overlap, borrow from each other, and have a reciprocal relationship. Second, truth claims take on lives of their own. Political actors, experts, influencers, or conspiracy entrepreneurs may frame certain interpretations in pursuit of specific goals, yet people on the ground can rework, adapt, merge or repurpose these claims as they navigate uncertainty, insecurity, and everyday challenges. A claim launched to advance a reactionary agenda, for instance, may be taken up by actors who are not committed right-wingers, but who use it to articulate demands for recognition or redistributive justice. Through this comparative approach, the project investigates: how conflicts over truth emerge, circulate, and mutate across online spaces and everyday offline interactions; how the intentions of epistemic and political authorities diverge from, or align with, the practical meaning‑making of ordinary actors. At the methodological level, research will rely on: digital ethnography to map the online repertoire of discourses throughout consensualist‑conspiracist continuum; traditional (offline) in‑depth, immersive ethnography in urban and rural communities affected by processes of dispossession and devaluation, among two main categories of social actors: 1) residents of the selected locations, and 2) local authorities and representatives of institutions who may or may not be residents themselves (police officers, school teachers, front‑line bureaucrats, social workers, bank employees, medical staff, unemployment centre staff, representatives of the counter‑disinfo sector such as legacy media or NGOs) The PhD researcher, in particular, will investigate a specific case of conflicts over “truth” in the Spanish context. The study could explore different contexts, including but not limited to: marginalized neighbourhoods rural areas affected by major transformations groups of young people embracing far‑right claims so‑called “conspiritual” groups crypto‑currency groups Responsibilities: The successful applicant will: Adhere to the regulations, academic standards, and administrative procedures set forth by the Doctoral School of the University of Barcelona, including participation in training activities; Develop and pursue a doctoral project that aligns with the objective of De-CRIPT, in collaboration with the PI, the team, and the scientific advisors; Contribute to project scientific outputs such as publications and presentations at conferences; Participate actively in the group, including being present at the UB and in Barcelona during crucial times of preparation, meetings, conferences, and workshops. Interact actively virtually during times when the team is not present together at the UB and in Barcelona. Participate in and assist with organizing project‑related seminars, workshops, panels, and conferences; Tasks: Carry out digital ethnography and traditional, offline ethnography in the field of their research – the latter for a duration of approximately one year; analyse ethnographic data and interact actively with other team members through the process of analysis and theorization; Support the De‑CRIPT team in organizing academic events, such as conferences and workshops, and contribute to the preparation of project reports; Collaborate with the project manager in a supportive capacity to assist with the development of the project website; Gross salary per year: 26.379,84 €. The application period runs from March 18 to March 31, 2026, both included. Hold a BSc/ MSc in Social Sciences, Political Sciences or Humanities, or a related field. Ethnographic research experience is valued, especially in the study of conspiracism, far‑right mobilizations, and processes of dispossession and devaluation, as well as command of (digital) ethnographic methods. The successful candidate is expected to fulfil the requirements to be admitted into the PhD program of Societat i Cultura (Society and Culture) at the Universitat de Barcelona. Research Field AnthropologyCultural studiesSociologyPolitical sciences Years of Research Experience 1 - 4 Additional Information A full‑time work contract (37.5 hrs/week), with a flexible work schedule to facilitate work/life balance. The researcher will have the possibility to participate in teaching activities for professional development (not obligatory, though). Eligibility Criteria A specific committee will evaluate the applications using the following criteria: Grade point average of the academic transcripts from the applicant's bachelor's or master's degree studies (or 1st and 2nd cycle): up to 5 points out of a total of 10. Curricular merits: up to 1 point out of a total of 10 in accordance with the specific criteria listed in Annex 1. Suitability for the tasks to be performed within the framework of the research project or research support position to which the successful candidate will be attached: up to 4 points out of a total of 10. Selection Process The specific committee will agree upon an award proposal and draw up a prioritized shortlist of candidates who have achieved a minimum of five points or declare the call for applications null and void if none of the applicants reach the minimum score. The award proposal will be published in the UB's electronic office and must include the total scores of the candidates that have received a total of at least five points. Application Process According to the specific requirements and selection criteria, the candidates are expected to provide at least the following documents: Application form online GAIA Full scientific CV BSc and MSc academic transcripts Cover letter describing the motivation, interest and suitability for the post. The letter must, in particular, set out the ideas the candidate proposes for their research: in particular, the candidate is expected to demonstrate clear links to their previous work and the proposed research field, including details of the strategies for accessing the field and/or the candidate's pre‑existing contacts and networks in this field. Based on this, 1) the originality and 2) the feasibility of the proposed research ideas will be assessed. Names of two referees to whom we may contact IMPORTANT: For studies completed abroad, applicants must submit their equivalent grade point average as per the grading scale for Spanish universities: Duration of the contract of employment: 12 months, renewable 31/08/2030. The candidate proposed for hiring must accept the job offer within 10 working days from the date of notification of the selection. Priority will be given to people with disabilities (Law 89/2015 of June 2, reserve of quota 2% in favour of people with disabilities in companies of 50 or more people). Be aware that the starting date sets in this offer is an estimate date. The official starting date will depend on the time necessary for administration to prepare the labour contract and present the necessary documents for the selected candidate to be hired. #J-18808-Ljbffr