PhD position in Digital Methods
Media Studies is seeking a PhD candidate in digital methods. The PhD candidate would collaborate with the Digital Methods Initiative (DMI), an internationally prominent group of scholars working on research approaches to the study of natively digital objects and devices. The PhD candidate would work closely with the director of DMI (Prof. Richard Rogers) as well as a Postdoc (to be appointed) on a European project concerned with Opinion Dynamics and Cultural Conflict in European Space. The project fits with the overall concerns of digital methods in developing techniques to study the circulation of substance and urgency in social media across multiple European and transnational issue spaces such as migration, right-wing populism and climate change.
The PhD candidates would be affiliated with the Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA), one of the six research schools of the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR). ASCA is home to more than 110 scholars and 120 PhD candidates, and is a world-leading international research school in Cultural Analysis. ASCA members share a commitment to working in an interdisciplinary framework and to maintaining a close connection with contemporary cultural and political debates.
Project description
The PhD candidate would be appointed to work with the Digital Methods Initiative on the European Project, Opinion Dynamics and Cultural Conflict in European Space. Social media, online news and the comment space are having far-reaching effects on the manner in which individuals and communities communicate, organize and express themselves. Can the information circulating on these platforms be tapped to better understand and analyze the enormous problems facing our contemporary society? Could this help us to better monitor the growing number of social crises due to differences in culture and diverging world-views? Would this allow an early detection and perhaps even ways to resolve conflicts before they lead to violence? These are the main questions of the European Project, Opinion Dynamics and Cultural Conflict in European Space (ODYCCEUS).
Requirements
Successful candidates are expected to:
- complete and defend a PhD dissertation within four years;
- demonstrate excellent written and spoken English;
- actively participate in the work of the project team, and collaborate with others in the Digital Methods Initiative;
- occasionally travel abroad for project work and conference presentations;
- possess technical skills in web development and/or the deft use of analytical software;
- contribute to the organization of project-related research activities and events such as the Digital Methods Summer and Winter Schools;
- assist in teaching activities, if needed and
- collaborate with artists, nongovernmental organizations and activist groups in project-related activities.
Further information
For more information on the research project and the selection procedure, please contact:
- Professor Richard Rogers, Director of the Digital Methods Initiative, Media Studies
Appointment
The candidates will be appointed full-time (38 hours per week) for a period of 48 months at the Department of Media Studies of the Faculty of Humanities, preferably starting in March 2017, initially for a period of one year. Contingent on satisfactory performance it will be extended by a maximum of three additional years leading to the completion of a PhD thesis. The gross monthly salary (on a full-time basis) will range from €2,191 during the first year to €2,801 during the fourth year, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
Application
Your application must consist of one pdf or word document including the following:
- an up-to-date CV;
- a cover letter of no longer than 2 pages outlining your motivations to join the Digital Methods Initiative and illustrating how you meet the requirements for the position;
- one to two reference letters;
- a preliminary PhD proposal or sketch including research questions, theoretical approaches, objects of analysis, methodologies and most important literature (maximum 1,000 words), closely related to the issues of migration or populism.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide a writing sample of no longer than 10,000 words.
Please state vacancy number 17-021 in the subject line of your application. The subject of the email message and the attachment must consist of the text 'applicant's last name' and ‘DMIPhD’.
Applications may be submitted no later than 13 February. Please submit your application by e-mail to asca-fgw@uva.nl.
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.uva.nl/en/research/phd/phd-vacancies/item/17-021-phd-position-in-digital-methods.html