25 February 2024 | Tübingen

Last chance to apply for the Journalist-in-Residence-Programm!

The next round of the Cyber Valley Journalist-in-Residence program is open for applications until 29.02.

Image: Cyber Valley

How should journalists report on new developments in AI? How can they use machine learning, computer vision, and other AI applications to aid their work? To answer these questions, journalists are invited to submit applications to the Cyber Valley Journalist-in-Residence (JIR) program.

The Cyber Valley Journalist-in-Residence (JIR) program is targeted at experienced journalists who wish to consider the relationship between journalism and AI. During their stay, the Journalist-in-Residence has the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in machine learning, computer vision, and robotics. They will have full access to researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, and the Universities of Tübingen and Stuttgart. The residency offers space for creativity and free thinking about the methods, future tools, and developments for AI-driven or AI-supported journalism.

Interested journalists can apply until February 29, 2024 for a three- to six-month paid stay at Cyber Valley's campus in Tübingen. During this time, the Journalist-in-Residence can conduct independent research on a topic of his or her choice in conversation with AI researchers. Cyber Valley does not expect the Journalist-in-Resident to report on AI topics or about Cyber Valley during this time.

The job advertisement is expressly aimed at staff and freelance journalists. Remuneration via a work contract is based on TV-L E13. The stay can be undertaken full- or part-time.

“I recommend applying to anyone willing to take a deep dive into research on intelligent systems – and at the same time wants to be in a city that closely follows such developments,” says data journalist Christina Elmer, who was 2021's Journalist-in-Residence and is now Germany's first professor of data journalism at TU Dortmund University. After the 2021 pilot, the JIR program has become a permanent part of Cyber Valley's public engagement strategy. Other Journalists-in-Residence include Julia Merlot from Der Spiegel, Bettina Friedrich from MDR, freelance journalist Tobias Asmuth, and Elena Riedlinger from WDR.

What does Cyber Valley offer?

Introduction to the basics of machine learning, computer vision, and robotics
Access to a network of researchers
Insights into the Cyber Valley Community
Freedom for creativity and reflection on the methods, tools, and AI-supported journalism
Remunerated work contract
Budget for own events (e.g. workshops, expert talks, travel)
Office and accommodation
Full-/part-time
Salary based on TV-L E13

How do you apply?

Interested journalists can apply until February 29, 2024 by sending a cover letter, a CV, and an idea paper by e-mail to Patrick Klügel. The two-page idea paper illustrates which journalistic challenge they will address during their stay. The selection criteria are journalistic quality, scope, previous data journalism experience and creativity, relevance, and feasibility of the self-selected project. Applications may be made in German or English.

An independent jury will propose up to two candidates from the applications received for the program by the end of March. The final decision will be made by the jury by the beginning of April 2024.

The JIR program offers space for two journalists, each seeking a three-month stay, or one journalist for six months. The residency must begin in 2024. For more information on the call for applications and the Cyber Valley JIR program process, please contact Patrick Klügel.

The JIR program is a collaboration of the Center for Rhetorical Science Communication on Artificial Intelligence (RHET AI) and Cyber Valley, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation.