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PhD Fellowship: The Potential of Digital: Optimising Trustworthy Digital Contact
Type: Doctoral Research Fellowship
Duration: Three years
Hours: Full-Time
Start date: September 1, 2025
Compensation: Commensurate with experience, skills.
Reports to: Dr. Elizabeth Dubois
Application deadline: Review of submissions will begin on November 25th and continue until the role is filled.
Fellowship Description
We are seeking a skilled and enthusiastic Doctoral Fellow to join an international team to work on a project titled “The Potential of Digital: Optimising Trustworthy Digital Contact.”
The successful candidate will be supervised throughout the fellowship by Dr Elizabeth Dubois as part of the PolCommTech Lab at the University of Ottawa.
This fellowship is open to prospective PhD students eligible for either the PhD in Communication or PhD in Digital Transformations and Innovation programs at the University of Ottawa.
As part of the Potential of Digital: Optimising Trustworthy Digital Contact team, the successful candidate will develop a thesis project within the bounds of the wider project, supervised by Dr. Dubois.
The successful candidate will contribute to literature review, help develop and implement methods for data collection and analysis, co-author conference presentations and peer reviewed journal articles, and contribute to knowledge mobilization efforts as part of a team. Communication and related activities may include writing journalistic content, supporting podcast production, and event-planning support.
This is an exciting opportunity that will see the successful candidate foster connections with leading academics internationally, develop their research skills in a supportive and collaborative environment, and work on cutting-edge research that spans disciplinary boundaries.
About the Project
The Research Fellow will join the research team at the PolCommTech Lab under the supervision of Dr Elizabeth Dubois. The lab is an academic research group focused on exploring the intersections of politics, communication, and technology. Members include people from communication studies, political science, law, computer science, and more.
The project is funded through the Trans-Atlantic Partnership Democracy, Governance and Trust call see the T-AP website for details. In addition to Dr. Dubois, The Potential of Digital: Optimising Trustworthy Digital Contact international team includes Drs. Kate Dommett, University of Sheffield (UK); Damian Guzek, University of Silesia, Katowice (Poland); Karolina Koc-Michalska, Audencia Business School (France); James Weinberg, University of Sheffield.
This project explores how various digital communication methods (e.g., email, social media, chatbots, influencers, and AI-generated content) can impact trust between citizens and political elite actors. It focuses on marginalized communities, examining how different groups, including women and ethnic minorities, engage with these forms of communication. Conducted through surveys and experiments in Canada, France, Poland, and the UK, the research aims to identify effective strategies for promoting trust across diverse communities and addressing potential inequalities in political engagement. Additionally, it seeks to understand whether there are universal methods of trustworthy communication or if multiple interpretations exist, while assessing the reactions of both elites and citizens to these strategies.
The uOttawa team will focus specifically on: (1) Creating a classification framework and identifying key expectations. (2) Developing and implementing user experience diaries to assess how various forms of digital contact are perceived by both political elites and citizens. (3) Mobilizing knowledge effectively.
As part of this international team project there are a number of additional supports and opportunities available to the Research Fellow:
-
The cost for a methods specific summer school or equivalent training opportunity will be provided.
-
There is an option to conduct a short-term placement at any one of the other universities within the project.
-
There is a mentoring scheme between senior and junior project members across universities.
-
Support for travel and conference attendance related to the project is available.
Position Requirements
-
Applicants must be eligible in one of two uOttawa programs and must intend to apply for that program in the next application cycle: PhD in Communication program which is bilingual and requires students to be able to take classes in both English and French (written submissions are all in the language of your choice). Digital Transformations and Innovation PhD which is a multidisciplinary degree.
-
Demonstrated interest in trust in political elites’ communication, varied communication tools used in citizen-political elite communication, and related topics
-
Experience working with and/or demonstrated interest in learning about marginalized communities
-
Experience conducting literature reviews
-
Experience in, and/or demonstrated interest in learning: interviews, diary studies, experimental design, or survey methodology
-
Experience working in politics considered an asset
-
Language: Advanced knowledge of at least one of French or English; At least passive knowledge of English; other languages considered an asset
Place of work: It is expected that the hired candidate will be able to work in person, on a regular basis, at the University of Ottawa.
How to apply
Please submit your application package to Dr. Dubois (elizabeth.dubois@uottawa.ca) subject line: PhD Fellowship: The Potential of Digital: Optimising Trustworthy Digital Contact
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Dubois (elizabeth.dubois@uottawa.ca) with any questions about the role.
The application package should include:
-
a cover letter,
-
a complete curriculum vitae,
-
a one-page (max.) description of research interests relevant for this position.
The selection committee will start to review applications immediately. Applications will be considered until a successful candidate is found.
The cover letter must indicate the level of proficiency in English and French.
We thank all applicants for their interest. While we are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for all applicants, only those under consideration for the role will be contacted. Please be advised that, due to changes in our funding, management, or organizational needs, we reserve the right to pause or stop a job competition at any stage in the process. Applicants will be notified in a timely manner.
The University of Ottawa is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Ottawa Centre for Law, Technology and Society is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We strongly encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities, as well as members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.
In keeping with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the University of Ottawa will provide accommodations upon request during the recruitment, selection and assessment process for candidates with a disability.
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, The Potential of Digital: Optimising Trustworthy Digital Contact
Type: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Duration: One to three years
Hours: Full-Time
Start date: Flexible (January 1, 2025 or as late as September 1, 2025)
Compensation: Commensurate with experience, skills.
Reports to: Dr. Elizabeth Dubois
Application deadline: Review of submissions will begin on November 25th and continue until the role is filled.
Fellowship Description
We are seeking a skilled and enthusiastic Postdoctoral Fellow to join an international team to work on a project titled “The Potential of Digital: Optimising Trustworthy Digital Contact.”
The successful candidate will be supervised throughout the fellowship by Dr Elizabeth Dubois as part of the PolCommTech Lab at the University of Ottawa.
This fellowship is open to postdoctoral researchers who have obtained a PhD within the last 5 years in Communication, Political Science, or related field.
The successful candidate will take ownership of a portion of the wider project through work with project leaders, other project teams, parties internal to the University of Ottawa, and external parties to meet project terms and objectives and expand the team’s impact.
The successful candidate will contribute to literature review, help develop and implement methods for data collection and analysis, co-author conference presentations and peer reviewed journal articles, and contribute to knowledge mobilization efforts as part of a team. Communication and related activities may include writing journalistic content, supporting podcast production, and event-planning support.
This is an exciting opportunity that will see the successful candidate foster connections with leading academics internationally, develop their research skills in a supportive and collaborative environment, and work on cutting-edge research that spans disciplinary boundaries.
About the Project
The Research Fellow will join the research team at the PolCommTech Lab under the supervision of Dr Elizabeth Dubois. The lab is an academic research group focused on exploring the intersections of politics, communication, and technology. Members include people from communication studies, political science, law, computer science, and more.
The project is funded through the Trans-Atlantic Partnership Democracy, Governance and Trust call see the T-AP website for details. In addition to Dr. Dubois, The Potential of Digital: Optimising Trustworthy Digital Contact international team includes Drs. Kate Dommett, University of Sheffield (UK); Damian Guzek, University of Silesia, Katowice (Poland); Karolina Koc-Michalska, Audencia Business School (France); James Weinberg, University of Sheffield.
This project explores how various digital communication methods (e.g., email, social media, chatbots, influencers, and AI-generated content) can impact trust between citizens and political elite actors. It focuses on marginalized communities, examining how different groups, including women and ethnic minorities, engage with these forms of communication. Conducted through surveys and experiments in Canada, France, Poland, and the UK, the research aims to identify effective strategies for promoting trust across diverse communities and addressing potential inequalities in political engagement. Additionally, it seeks to understand whether there are universal methods of trustworthy communication or if multiple interpretations exist, while assessing the reactions of both elites and citizens to these strategies.
The uOttawa team will focus specifically on: (1) Creating a classification framework and identifying key expectations. (2) Developing and implementing user experience diaries to assess how various forms of digital contact are perceived by both political elites and citizens. (3) Mobilizing knowledge effectively.
As part of this international team project there are a number of additional supports and opportunities available to the Research Fellow:
-
The cost for a methods specific summer school or equivalent training opportunity will be provided.
-
There is an option to conduct a short-term placement at any one of the other universities within the project.
-
There is a mentoring scheme between senior and junior project members across universities.
-
Support for travel and conference attendance related to the project is available.
Position Requirements
-
Applicants must have completed, within the last 5 years, a PhD in communication, political science, or related field
-
Demonstrated interest in trust in political elites’ communication, varied communication tools used in citizen-political elite communication, and related topics
-
Experience working with and/or demonstrated interest in learning about marginalized communities
-
Experience conducting literature reviews
-
Experience in, and/or demonstrated interest in learning: interviews, diary studies, experimental design, or survey methodology
-
Experience working in politics considered an asset
-
Language: Advanced knowledge of at least one of French or English; At least passive knowledge of English; other languages considered an asset
Place of work: It is expected that the hired candidate will be able to work in person, on a regular basis, at the University of Ottawa.
How to apply
Please submit your application package to Dr. Dubois (elizabeth.dubois@uottawa.ca) subject line: Postdoctoral Fellowship: The Potential of Digital: Optimising Trustworthy Digital Contact
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Dubois (elizabeth.dubois@uottawa.ca) with any questions about the role.
The application package should include:
-
a cover letter,
-
a complete curriculum vitae,
-
a one-page (max.) description of research interests relevant for this position.
The selection committee will start to review applications immediately. Applications will be considered until a successful candidate is found.
The cover letter must indicate the level of proficiency in English and French.
We thank all applicants for their interest. While we are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for all applicants, only those under consideration for the role will be contacted. Please be advised that, due to changes in our funding, management, or organizational needs, we reserve the right to pause or stop a job competition at any stage in the process. Applicants will be notified in a timely manner.
The University of Ottawa is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Ottawa Centre for Law, Technology and Society is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We strongly encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities, as well as members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.
In keeping with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the University of Ottawa will provide accommodations upon request during the recruitment, selection and assessment process for candidates with a disability.