Postdoctoral Researcher Politics of Sociotechnical Futures; Hype Studies

Postdoctoral Researcher on the Politics of Sociotechnical Futures (Hype Studies)

Welcome to Maastricht University! This position offers the opportunity to develop your own research agenda, contribute to teaching, and foster international collaboration. It is particularly suited to scholars interested in the social and political dynamics through which technologies gain meaning, legitimacy, and influence.

Technologies and infrastructures are not only material systems but also objects of public expectations, political visions, and societal debate. This position contributes to the faculty's broader research and teaching agenda on technology, society, and democracy by examining how sociotechnical futures are imagined, negotiated, governed, and contested. Among the many forces that shape sociotechnical futures, hype plays a distinctive role in mobilising attention, resources, expectations, and forms of collective action.

This postdoctoral position sits at the intersection of research and community‑building. The successful candidate will develop an original research project of their own design, where their research might focus on advancing theories or methods for studying hype, analysing ongoing technoscientific developments, or exploring how controversies become objects of hype within innovation cultures, politics, markets, or media. In addition, the candidate will play an active role in supporting and growing the Hype Studies Network, a rapidly expanding and vivid international community of researchers, artists, journalists, and policymakers.

The position is embedded in the Philosophy Department and will be supervised by Dr. Dani Shanley. The successful candidate will also be affiliated with MUSTS (Maastricht University Science, Technology and Society Studies), giving them access to a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment. The appointment is 24‑month full‑time (1.0 FTE; 0.75 research / 0.25 teaching). The candidate will work closely with the Hype Studies core team, and will be responsible for teaching in the Bachelor's programme in Digital Society.

• Contribute to the development of the theoretical and/or empirical foundations of Hype Studies as a field.
• Undertake interdisciplinary research on how technological developments shape political institutions and public attitudes.
• Advance research on political, technological, and societal transformations, collaborating with academic and non‑academic stakeholders to generate meaningful impact.
• Support the coordination and administration of the Hype Studies Network, helping to organise network events, workshops, and public‑facing activities.
• Contribute to grant writing and funding applications.
• Teach in the Bachelor's programme Digital Society, and contribute to other courses and thesis supervision (where needed).
• Engage with interdisciplinary and international research communities through MUSTS and beyond.

We are looking for a collegial and self‑directed researcher who will be comfortable operating in an emerging, interdisciplinary field and who will bring genuine enthusiasm for community‑building alongside academic rigour. You will be required to communicate clearly with diverse audiences (from students to network partners to funding bodies) and will need to be proactive in identifying and pursuing opportunities. Candidates may come from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, including philosophy, science and technology studies, sociology, media studies, or related fields.

• PhD in Philosophy, Science and Technology Studies, Sociology, Media Studies, or a closely related field (obtained or near completion).
• A demonstrable research interest in hype, expectations, promises, or related dynamics in science, technology, and society.
• A strong academic publication record, appropriate to career stage.
• Experience with or interest in interdisciplinary and collaborative research environments.
• Ability and willingness to contribute to undergraduate and/or postgraduate teaching.
• Experience with event organisation, network coordination, science communication and/or contributing to grant or funding applications (desirable).
• University Teaching…