Research Assistant ? Media Studies

Job Summary

The Research Assistant will work closely with Professor Chitralekha on an ethnographic research project in the Department of Media Studies, including fieldwork in virtual places. The role is suited to an early-career scholar and runs for the academic year, with compensation commensurate with experience. Within six months, you will have built the project's literature and archival base and be conducting ethnographic fieldwork with regular supervision.

Location

Sonipat, Haryana

Department

Department of Media Studies

Reports To

Chitralekha, Associate Professor of Media Studies

Role Type

Contractual

Experience

Early career (1-2 years of research experience preferred)

Roles and Responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews that map existing scholarship relevant to the project.
• Carry out archival analysis, including in digital archives, and organise findings for the research team.
• Undertake textual analysis of project materials, including content from virtual sites.
• Conduct ethnographic field research, including in virtual places, and document observations for the project.

Qualifications

• Education: Advanced degree (PhD, MPhil or Master's) in Sociology, Anthropology or Media Studies preferred. Ashoka undergraduates, including currently enrolled students, with exceptional interest, initiative and research capability will receive equal consideration.
• Experience: 1-2 years of research experience preferred, ideally involving ethnography (including in virtual places) or RA work with textual analysis.
• Skills: Excellent reading and writing skills; working knowledge of Microsoft Office, JASP, Jamovi, PsychoPy, Canva, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom; familiarity with software tools for textual analysis in virtual sites is desirable.

Who You Are

• You are meticulous about recording field notes, archival sources and citations so that every finding in the project can be traced back to its source.
• You work in close, regular exchange with a single supervising faculty member, taking feedback on fieldwork and drafts and returning revised work promptly.
• You are curious about how people communicate and form communities in digital spaces, and you raise new lines of inquiry rather than only completing assigned tasks.
• You are comfortable with a fixed-term, project-driven appointment in which you manage your own schedule across campus work, fieldwork and online research sites.

Application Submission Process

To ensure your candidacy receives the attention it deserves, kindly follow the application submission process outlined below:

• Cover Letter (about 1 page outlining your proposed contribution to the project)
• CV with email ids of two reference contacts
• Preferred: Writing Sample (published or work-in-progress)

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