Postdoctoral Researcher – MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026

USP‑CEU is a competitive and supportive host institution for MSCA‑PF candidates, with a strong track record including 10 awarded fellowships, an exceptional 100/100 score, and two recent successes in the MSCA‑PF 2025 call. We offer personalised guidance throughout the proposal preparation process, as well as our International Talent Retention Programme, which provides successful MSCA Fellows with an additional 6–12‑month contract to support long‑term career development.

Hosting Research Group

The Generational Digital Divide (BRECHDIG) research group at Universidad CEU San Pablo focuses on the analysis of digital divides, digital vulnerability and media literacy in contemporary societies, with particular attention to older adults and socially vulnerable groups. The group has a consolidated research trajectory and is composed of senior researchers with extensive experience in competitively funded public research projects.

BRECHDIG has led and participated in several national projects addressing media and digital literacy, ICT use, e‑commerce and e‑government among older populations, contributing to a deeper understanding of the structural factors underlying generational digital inequalities. This research activity has resulted in high‑impact scientific publications and reference monographs in the fields of e‑inclusion and digital citizenship.

The group is also actively involved in interdisciplinary research networks on digital vulnerability, such as PROVULDIG and PROVULDIG2‑CM, funded by the Regional Government of Madrid and the European Social Fund. BRECHDIG demonstrates strong capacity for knowledge transfer and international outreach through conferences, academic seminars and dissemination activities, providing a robust research environment aligned with European priorities on digital inclusion, active ageing and responsible digital governance.

Prof. Leopoldo Abad Alcalá is a senior professor and researcher at Universidad CEU San Pablo (Madrid, Spain), with long-standing experience in Public Law and Communication. He holds a PhD in Law and has an interdisciplinary academic background in Law and Communication.

His research focuses on democratic governance, media regulation, algorithmic transparency and digital inclusion, including nationally funded projects on the digital divide and e‑inclusion of older adults. He has an extensive publication record addressing key societal challenges.

Relevant publications and projects:

1. Research Project: PDI2022‑140183OB‑100, Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of the Spanish Population Regarding Internet Algorithms and the Design of Critical Algorithmic Literacy Frameworks (ALGORLIT). Principal Investigators: Tamara Vázquez Barrio and María Sánchez Valle (Universidad San Pablo CEU). Project duration: 01/09/2023 – 30/08/2027. Role: Research team member.
2. Research Project: CPP2023‑010455, Multidisciplinary Research on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data on the Design and Analysis of Public Policies. Public‑Private Collaboration Projects Programme. Host institution: Universidad San Pablo CEU. Project duration: 01/11/2024 – 31/10/2026. Role: PI
3. Algorithmic Transparency: Approaches and Challenges for the Democratic State. Revista Española de la Transparencia, (Spanish Association for Transparency Accreditation) (ACREDITRA), No. 23, 2026, pp. 91–138. ISSN‑e: 2444‑2607. https://doi.org/10.51915/ret.443
4. Abad Alcalá, L. & Sánchez Valle, M. (2024). Disconnected Seniors: Studies on the Digital Divide. Dykinson, pp. 1–137. ISBN: 978‑84‑1070‑124‑3.
5. Communication for Seniors’ Inclusion in Today’s Society: The Effects of Digitisation on Active Ageing. Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, 2023. 11(3), pp. 1–5. ISSN: 2183‑2439. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v11i3.7039

Research Project Description

This research proposal addresses the algorithmic divide affecting older adults, with a focus on knowledge asymmetries, algorithmic bias and their implications for digital citizenship. It is grounded in the assumption that participation in contemporary social, economic and civic life is increasingly mediated by algorithmic decision-making systems, while understanding of these systems remains unevenly distributed, placing older adults at heightened risk of digital exclusion.

The project analyses older adults’ algorithmic literacy, including their conceptual knowledge, perceptions, and intuitive explanations of how algorithms operate in search engines, social media platforms, and recommender systems. Particular attention is paid to awareness of biases related to data selection, profiling, personalisation, and opacity.

A core objective is to investigate how limited understanding of algorithmic processes shapes online behaviour, trust in digital systems, information consumption, and the capacity to critically evaluate algorithmically ranked or filtered content. The research identifies mechanisms of algorithmic vulnerability, such as unequal visibility, reduced agency, and constrained participation in the digital public sphere.

Methodologically, the project adopts a mixed-methods design grounded in critical algorithm studies and media literacy research. A structured survey will assess algorithmic literacy, perceived transparency, trust, and bias awareness, complemented by in-depth interviews and focus groups. Findings will inform analytically grounded media and digital literacy guidelines.

The project aligns with EU policy priorities and KPIs under the European Digital Decade and DigComp. Dissemination pathways include open-access publications and policy briefs. Hosted by the BRECHA/BRECHDIG research group, the project ensures scientific excellence, policy relevance and societal impact in line with EU objectives Europe.

Candidate experience and profile:

Postdoctoral candidates of any nationality (max. 8 years after defense) with:

• PhD in Communication, Sociology, Political Sciences, Law.
• Strong background on qualitative and quantitative methods, data analysis, applied statistics, and design of advanced empirical research on elderly digital divide.

Application

An expression of interest shall be sent to abad.fhm@ceu.es and your file should contain the following elements:

1. A short CV (Max. 2 pages).
2. A one-page research proposal
3. ​​​Two letters of reference.

For MSCA-PF 26 call, at the deadline for the submission of proposals (09/09/2026) candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activities in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the above mentioned deadline.

Keywords: Digital divide, elderly, algortihms, digital literacy, bias