We are looking for two independent, result-oriented, and ethically minded Postdoctoral Researchers who care about journalism and documentary-making, have strong expertise in qualitative research methods, and are interested in investigating the emotional and bodily dimensions of media work. The two research positions involve ethnographic fieldwork in Hungary and Slovakia (Postdoc 1) and in Poland and the Czech Republic (Postdoc 2). Therefore, knowledge of relevant languages is an advantage.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will conduct research within a larger project examining the epistemic value of emotions and bodies in journalism and documentary-making. The project seeks to empirically, theoretically, and practically integrate emotions and bodies in journalism and documentary work, and involves ethnographic research across Central and Eastern Europe and an experiment with nature retreats for media professionals.

You will be responsible for conducting ethnographic research among media professionals covering politics, conflict, or culture – in particular, either investigative journalists and documentary makers, or artists-journalists and cultural journalists – in two countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Postdoc 1 will focus on investigative journalists and documentary makers in Slovakia and Hungary, Postdoc 2 will focus on cultural and artistic journalists in Czechia and Poland. You will closely collaborate with Johana Kotišová as the principal investigator, and two other doctoral and postdoctoral researchers working on the other CEE countries, Ukraine, and Georgia.

Your daily work will include theoretical and methodological preparation, independent ethnographic fieldwork in the two countries (including observations, digital ethnography, interviewing, and shadowing) under the supervision of the principal investigator, data management and data analysis, participation in theory-building, and (co-)authoring academic articles for leading journals in the field of communication.

Additionally, if you are a nature lover, the project offers a unique opportunity: in the final phase, you can help design nature retreats in Czechia and Poland for small groups of journalists and documentary makers.

The deadline for applications is 16 April 2026.