Millennium Research Nucleus on State Production and Use of Data on Severe Human Rights Violations -DATA JUSTA NCS2024_69
The Millennium Research Nucleus on State Production and Use of Data on Severe Human Rights Violations (DATA JUSTA- NCS2024_69), directed by Oriana Bernasconi (Director) and Elizabeth Lira (Alternate Director), opens a selection process for a Postdoctoral Researcher position. proceso de selección para una posición de Investigador/a Posdoctoral.
ABOUT DATA JUSTA
DATA JUSTA is a collaborative, interdisciplinary, exploratory, inductive, and comparative scientific initiative in the social sciences. The main objective is to analyze how the Chilean State produces, manages, and uses information on victims of human rights violations and severe abuses. The project focuses on examining the production and use of data on victims of human rights violations and other forms of violence within the State, assessing its impacts and implications. The study will be developed through a relational, socio-material, and multi situated ethnography of the State, focusing on three cases: a) human trafficking, b) institutional violence in a political context (2019-2020), and c) attempted femicides.
The project seeks to improve data systems and policies related to human rights violations and victim reparations to promote accountability, protect human rights, and contribute to peace, justice, and social development.
This Nucleus brings together Alberto Hurtado University, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Diego Portales University, Austral University of Chile, Playa Ancha University, and Atacama University. The project integrates diverse disciplines such as sociology, psychology, law, criminology, and anthropology and is situated at the intersection of critical data studies, science and technology, human rights, and public policy.
1. OBJECTIVE
Fund a postdoctoral position for Chilean or foreign researchers to conduct investigation, networking, training, and knowledge transfer within the framework of the Millennium Nucleus DATA JUSTA- NCS2024_069, onwards Data Justa.
2. REQUIREMENTS
- Be a Chilean national or a foreigner with residence in Chile and domicile in the country at the time of starting work.
- Have the academic degree of Doctor in accredited national programs or their foreign equivalents, in disciplines such as Social Communication, Journalism, Design, Art, Data Visualization, Media Studies, Digital Humanities, Visual Anthropology, or related.
- Completed doctoral degree at the time of starting the work period. This must be from accredited national programs or their foreign equivalents. Candidates working toward their degree must indicate their expected graduation date in their application.
- Fit the requirements of one or both of the contest profiles:
Profile 1: PhD with experience in interdisciplinary research and the development of data visualizations on human rights violations and severe violations for different purposes and audiences (science, advocacy, public policy, divulgation). The profile is oriented to lead a research project using visual representation tools (data visualization, multimodal analysis, etc.) to improve the understanding and use of information on human rights violations to generate an impact on public debate and public policymaking.
Profile 2: PhD with experience in interdisciplinary research and the development of communication proposals that translate scientific research to and from other fields such as public policy, civil society, education, and the public. The profile is oriented to lead a research project that uses communication resources to promote data justice and disseminate research findings, thereby impacting diverse target audiences.
2.1. Desirable items
- Proficiency in Spanish and advanced academic English.
- Verifiable research in areas of interest of Data Justa (data justice, information/Knowledge/evidence in Human Rights, reparation of victims, victims of human rights violations and severe violations).
- Publications in indexed journals or book chapters.
3. CONDITIONS
- Type of contract: fee-based contract for the provision of professional services.
- Duration: 18 months.
- Start Date: September 2025.
- In addition, support for financing operational expenses (travel expenses, etc.) is available.
- Workplace: San Joaquín Campus, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
4. DOCUMENTS TO PRESENT
4.1. Attach the research project developing the following aspects:
- 1. Abstract: Problem statement, description of objectives, methodology, and expected results. Maximum 1 page.
- 2. Formulation, where the following will be explained in more detail:
2.a) Description of the theoretical-conceptual foundations and state of the art.
2.b) Research questions or hypotheses.
2.c) Main objective and specific objectives.
2.d) Methodology.
2.e) Workplan or Gantt letter.
Maximum 6 pages (excluding bibliography).
4.2. Motivation letter explaining why you are interested in Data Justa (1 page).
4.3. Curriculum vitae.
4.4. Undergraduate and doctoral degree certificates. A simple photocopy is accepted for application; if selected, original documents will be requested.
4.5. Names and contact information of two people who can reference your work.
* NOTE: Foreign applicants must submit documentation with the corresponding recognitions and equivalencies.
The required documentation will be received until July 15 and must be addressed to the email nucleo.datajusta@gmail.com and copy to dmansilla@uahurtado.cl with the subject “Postdoc application DATA JUSTA”. Short-listed candidates will be called for an interview on a date to be defined.
6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
6.1. The applicant must not additionally have any other category assigned as a researcher of the Nucleus or any other contractual affiliation of more than 10 hours per week with another research and development entity.
6.2. Conduct independent research associated with any of the lines proposed in these bases.
6.3. Actively participate in research tasks with the project team, collaborate in activities organized by the project, and disseminate the results obtained through presentations at conferences and publications in indexed journals, indicating DATA JUSTA sponsorship in all of them.
6.4. Submit a semi-annual progress report to the DATA JUSTA principal researchers.
6.5. Follow all ethical research procedures that guide DATA JUSTA regarding the production, storage, use, and dissemination of data, as well as in interactions with its sources, partner organizations, and fellow researchers.
6.6. Failure to comply with any of the above obligations, within the stipulated deadlines, will entitle the Directors of DATA JUSTA to immediately suspend the delivery of resources to the beneficiary, who will have a period of 10 working days to justify the non-compliance of such obligation.
8. EVALUATION
8.1. The selection committee will be composed of:
- The Director of DATA JUSTA and the alternate director.
- Two principal researchers of DATA JUSTA.
- A specialist in the field.
8.2. The evaluation criteria will be:
- Quality, relevance, and feasibility of the proposed research project.
- Thematic affinity and complementarity with the objectives of DATA JUSTA.
- Research, publications, and outreach experience (declared in CV and publications).
For any questions related to the application process, please contact us at the following email address: nucleo.datajusta@gmail.com
Contest rules in Spanish:
Contest rules in English: