Laval University

Chair in Science Journalism

Deadline: April 15, 2020

Number: 6877

Workplace: Faculty of Letters and Humanities, Department of Information and Communication,

General information

The Department of Information and Communication of the Faculty of Letters and Humanities at Laval University invites applications for a tenure-track professorship position which includes directing its Chair in science journalism.

Job Description

• Teach at BSc, MSc, and PhD levels;
• Assume leadership of the Chair in science journalism and implement its research and training agenda focusing at the science/media interface;
• Secure the Chair’s role as catalyst in the re-interpretation of the shared challenges facing scientists and journalists in the ongoing mediascape through identification of the best emerging practices, including through its own research laboratory;
• Participate in the governance and administration of the Department and of the Faculty of Letters and Humanities.

Priorities of the Chair in Science Journalism of Laval University

The Chairholder will need to focus on and develop one or several of the three following research themes:

• Journalism and communication related to science-driven societal issues: role of the media in the coverage of societal issues that involve science, particularly conflicting science, and in the curation of public debates relating to the environment and climate, public health, big data, privacy and surveillance, artificial intelligence, automation and robots, transhumanism, etc.);
• Interplay of the respective legitimacy of journalism and science in the public sphere: intellectual authority in the public sphere of journalistic and scientific actors as pertaining to credibility, veracity, and authority in matters of information and knowledge;
• Professional and discursive practices in science issues: analysis and evaluation of journalistic and scientific discourse and postures in public debates. Development of innovative editorial strategies and journalistic practices as well as communication strategies appropriate to the ongoing contemporary flow of information.

Selection criterias

• PhD or PhD near completion in communication or related domain.
• Specialization in the public communication of science.
• Specialization in the study of media and the public sphere.

Additional information

Career interruptions

In accordance with its commitment to diversity and equity, Laval University acknowledges that career interruptions like parental leave, extended sick leave, care of a family member, gender transition as well as a handicap situation or other unplanned circumstances can affect productivity and research undertakings, volunteer work, and social commitments.

Candidates are therefore invited to state, where appropriate, such situations as well as evaluate their impact on their career track since the obtention of their PhD, in order that it be accounted for in the evaluation of their candidacy.

As well, adaptation measures can be offered to persons in handicap situations regarding their special needs in the context of this position offer, in complete confidentiality. If you require such adaptation measures, you are welcome to contact the equity personnel of the Faculty of Letters and Humanities: RH@flsh.ulaval.ca (attention: Mr. Nicolas Diotte).

Teaching language requirement

Courses at Laval University are taught in French. The University offers support to its professors to achieve a functional command of spoken and written French.

Candidature

Application must be written in French and formatted as a PDF document, including:

• a cover letter of introduction;
• an up to date CV referencing three to five significant publications;
• a research program outline (six pages maximum, bibliography excluded), with a vision statement outlining structural effects of the Chair at the scale of the Department and University; and
• three letters of recommendation (sent by the respondents directly to direction@com.ulaval.ca).

More information on the Chair can be found at: https://www.cjs.ulaval.ca/

More information on the Information and Communication Department at: http://www.com.ulaval.ca

Applications should reach the Director of the Information and Communication Department, Dr. Thierry Belleguic (direction@com.ulaval.ca) at the latest on April 15th, 2020, 13:00 (Eastern Standard Time Canada).

Starting date: July 1st, 2020.

Valuing equity, diversity and excellence, Université Laval is strongly committed to provide an inclusive work and living environment for all its employees. For Université Laval, diversity is a source of wealth, and we encourage qualified individuals of all origins, sexes, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, as well as persons with disabilities, to apply.

Université Laval also subscribes to an equal access to employment program for women, members of visible or ethnic minorities, Aboriginal persons and persons with disabilities. Adaptation of the selection tools can be offered to persons with disabilities according to their needs and in complete confidentiality. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to qualified individuals with Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.