Research assistent in sociology,
Göteborgs universitetPublicerad: 2026-05-28
Ansök senast: 2026-06-12
Beskrivning
The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.
The Department of Sociology and Work Science currently has approximately 120 employees, including lecturers, researchers, doctoral students, and administrative staff. The department conducts research, teaching, and collaboration across a wide range of areas. Research fields include, among others, the labor market, working life, social deviance, digitalization, emotions, gender, migration, environmental issues, social movements, governance and organization, technology and science, and welfare.
Educational programs are offered in several areas such as sociology, work science, human resource management, criminology, and social psychology. The department also has a substantial commitment to several of the University of Gothenburg's degree programs, particularly in teacher education. Collaboration and development projects are carried out in both research and education with partners in the private sector and public sector, for example the Centre for Global Human Resource Management (CGHRM).
The department is now seeking 3-4 hourly-paid research assistants for work in a research project funded by the Swedish Research Council.
Research Project
The research project examines the global spread of political disinformation by constructing a unique global database of posts from more than 3,600 political parties in 190 countries across platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X/Twitter. Using advanced language models and AI-based tools, we identify and analyze false information, investigate the themes it is based on, and trace how it spreads between countries, parties, and platforms. The aim is to understand how factors such as media freedom, political polarization, party structure, and platform design influence the vulnerability of democracy.
Duties
The main duties consist of identifying and verifying factual claims in political content in order to enable the classification of disinformation. The work involves analyzing posts from political actors in different parts of the world and across various subject areas.
A central part of the work is systematically fact-checking claims by searching for information in relevant sources such as news media, research databases, public documents, and other reliable resources. The tasks therefore require a strong ability to assess the credibility of sources and to make well-founded judgments in complex and sometimes uncertain information environments.
The work is carried out individually but within the framework of a joint research project and includes continuous documentation of assessments according to established guidelines.
The work is flexible and can be done remotely in Sweden, with the possibility to plan working hours independently within given frameworks.
Qualifications
Selection among applicants will be based on an overall assessment of the following competencies/skills:
Merits (desirable qualifications):
Employment
This is an intermittent, fixed-term hourly employment (in accordance with LAS §5.1), with a total expected workload of approximately 500 hours during 2026, distributed among several employees (mostly during July-August). You will work on an hourly basis as needed.
Employment offers will be based on mutual agreement, and the workload will vary over time. Scheduling will be planned in agreement between employer and employee. As an employee, you have the right to decline offered work.
Depending on applicants' experience, 3-4 people may be hired.
Compensation for work performed is SEK 157 per hour, including holiday pay.
Selection process
The recruitment process may include interviews and work samples.
Contact information for the post
If you have questions about the position, please contact PIAnton Törnberg, anton.tornberg@gu.se
If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR officerAnna-Karin Wiberg, +46 31-786 3156, anna-karin.wiberg@gu.se
Unions
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives
Application
To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by clicking the "Apply" button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.
Applications must be received by:2026-06-12
The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.
Salaries are set individually at the University.
In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden's regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.
In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.
The Department of Sociology and Work Science currently has approximately 120 employees, including lecturers, researchers, doctoral students, and administrative staff. The department conducts research, teaching, and collaboration across a wide range of areas. Research fields include, among others, the labor market, working life, social deviance, digitalization, emotions, gender, migration, environmental issues, social movements, governance and organization, technology and science, and welfare.
Educational programs are offered in several areas such as sociology, work science, human resource management, criminology, and social psychology. The department also has a substantial commitment to several of the University of Gothenburg's degree programs, particularly in teacher education. Collaboration and development projects are carried out in both research and education with partners in the private sector and public sector, for example the Centre for Global Human Resource Management (CGHRM).
The department is now seeking 3-4 hourly-paid research assistants for work in a research project funded by the Swedish Research Council.
Research Project
The research project examines the global spread of political disinformation by constructing a unique global database of posts from more than 3,600 political parties in 190 countries across platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X/Twitter. Using advanced language models and AI-based tools, we identify and analyze false information, investigate the themes it is based on, and trace how it spreads between countries, parties, and platforms. The aim is to understand how factors such as media freedom, political polarization, party structure, and platform design influence the vulnerability of democracy.
Duties
The main duties consist of identifying and verifying factual claims in political content in order to enable the classification of disinformation. The work involves analyzing posts from political actors in different parts of the world and across various subject areas.
A central part of the work is systematically fact-checking claims by searching for information in relevant sources such as news media, research databases, public documents, and other reliable resources. The tasks therefore require a strong ability to assess the credibility of sources and to make well-founded judgments in complex and sometimes uncertain information environments.
The work is carried out individually but within the framework of a joint research project and includes continuous documentation of assessments according to established guidelines.
The work is flexible and can be done remotely in Sweden, with the possibility to plan working hours independently within given frameworks.
Qualifications
Selection among applicants will be based on an overall assessment of the following competencies/skills:
- Analytical ability - particularly the ability to identify and interpret factual claims in text
- Source criticism skills - including the ability to assess the credibility and relevance of information
- Experience in information searching - e.g. through academic studies or other qualified work
- Good knowledge of English -equivalent to CEFR level C1
- Accuracy and judgment - the work requires consistent assessments
Merits (desirable qualifications):
- University-level studies in social sciences, humanities, journalism, or equivalent
- Experience in fact-checking, text analysis, or similar tasks
- Knowledge of additional languages besides English (e.g. Swedish, Spanish, German, Portuguese)
- Interest in politics, media, and disinformation
Employment
This is an intermittent, fixed-term hourly employment (in accordance with LAS §5.1), with a total expected workload of approximately 500 hours during 2026, distributed among several employees (mostly during July-August). You will work on an hourly basis as needed.
Employment offers will be based on mutual agreement, and the workload will vary over time. Scheduling will be planned in agreement between employer and employee. As an employee, you have the right to decline offered work.
Depending on applicants' experience, 3-4 people may be hired.
Compensation for work performed is SEK 157 per hour, including holiday pay.
Selection process
The recruitment process may include interviews and work samples.
Contact information for the post
If you have questions about the position, please contact PIAnton Törnberg, anton.tornberg@gu.se
If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR officerAnna-Karin Wiberg, +46 31-786 3156, anna-karin.wiberg@gu.se
Unions
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives
Application
To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal by clicking the "Apply" button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.
Applications must be received by:2026-06-12
The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.
Salaries are set individually at the University.
In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden's regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.
In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.
