Post-doctoral Research Officer (TRUE project)

About the University

Swansea University is a research-led university that has been making a difference since 1920. The University community thrives on exploration and discovery and offers the right balance of excellent teaching and research, matched by an enviable quality of life.

Our stunning waterfront campuses and multicultural community make us a desirable workplace for colleagues from around the world. Our reward and benefits, and ways of working enable those who join us to have enriching careers, matched by an excellent work-life balance.

About the Role

TRUE (TRust in User-generated Evidence: Analysing the Impact of Deepfakes on Accountability Processes for Human Rights Violations) is a five-year research project originally selected for funding by the European Research Council, which is funded by a UKRI Frontier Research grant [no. EP/X016021/1] from July 2022-June 2027. Through an innovative interdisciplinary methodology combining legal analysis of trials with mass online psychology experiments and linguistic analysis of mock jury deliberations, TRUE will develop the first systematic account of trust in user-generated evidence (such as such as photos and videos recorded by witnesses on their mobile phones), in the specific context of its use in human rights accountability processes.

We are seeking to appoint an excellent post-doctoral research fellow with experience in experimental psychology or a cognate discipline to work on the TRUE project (https://www.trueproject.co.uk).

The successful candidate will:

1. Conduct online experiments to analyse public awareness of deepfakes and how perceptions of deepfakes impact upon the perceived trustworthiness of user-generated evidence.
2. Collaborate with the PI (Professor Yvonne McDermott Rees) and the wider team (including Dr. Gabriela Jiga-Boy, School of Psychology) to analyse laypeople’s perceptions of user-generated evidence.
3. Identify the factors that feed into the perceived credibility, reliability and probative value of user-generated evidence and test these factors through online and offline experiments (including, if relevant, analysis of mock jury deliberation data).
4. Proactively contribute to and conduct research, including by gathering, preparing and analysing data and presenting results, exhibiting a degree of independence in terms of specifying the focus and direction of research.
5. Prepare reports and papers describing the results of the research, both confidential and for publication. The appointee is expected to be actively engaged in the writing and publishing of research papers, particularly those intended for publication in peer-reviewed journals, as a normal part of their role.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

As an inclusive and welcoming workplace, we value people for their skills regardless of their background. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.

Interview Date: 29 Apr 2024

Informal Enquiries:

•  Professor Yvonne McDermott Rees Yvonne.McDermottRees@swansea.ac.uk
•  Dr Gabriela Jiga-Boy G.Jiga@swansea.ac.uk

Apply by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

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