We are looking for a highly motivated Junior Researcher who will both conduct research and fulfill communication, and organisational tasks in the context of a in a large-scale research project funded by the European Commission. The research and organisational tasks will be part of our coordination of the project INVENT: European inventory of societal values of culture as a basis for inclusive cultural policies in the globalizing world. The INVENT consortium conducts large-scale empirical research in nine European countries to specify how conceptions and values of culture are constructed across different socio-economic groups. Special attention is paid to people’s perceptions and evaluations of how trends of globalization, digitization and increasing inequalities have impacted culture.

A Master’s degree in Media and Communication, Sociology, Arts and Culture Studies or other Social Sciences is required, The candidate can demonstrate competencies in doing empirical social science research, preferably using quantitative research methods. In particular, experience with digital research methods is welcomed. The candidate is expected to possess strong organizational skills and is preferably also highly capable of working with social media.

Research duties

• Conducting research within the framework of the INVENT project;
• Contributing to the data collection and data analysis of the project;
• Contributing to the presentation and publication of research findings through policy briefings, newsletters, reports, articles in international peer reviewed journals, and papers at international meetings and conferences;
• Participating in and contributing to project meetings and workshops.

Organisational duties

The candidate is expected to contribute the following tasks:

• The communication and dissemination of project activities and findings to a wider academic and non-academic audience;
• The maintenance, optimisation, and promotion of the project’s website and social media channels;
• The organisation of project conference in Rotterdam in September 2021;
• The project’s deliverables as regards data-management.

• A Master’s degree in Media Studies, Communication Science, Sociology, or Arts and Culture Studies;
• Strong research and analysis skills, preferably including quantitative and digital research methods skills;.
• Proven affinity for empirical research, as evidenced by BA and MA thesis, and other papers or projects;
• Strong organisational experience and skills;
• Experience with the maintenance of social media channels and websites is considered an advantage. This also holds for experience with the use of Photoshop;
• Proficiency in both the Dutch and the English language (non-native speakers have to meet the C2-standards of the Common European Framework (CEF).

Employment is intended to start 1 August, 2021. The initial contract runs for a term of 6 months, with the possible of a follow-up contract of 15 months, depending on performance and the candidate’s fit with the project’s needs and deliverables. The conditions of employment correspond with the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU). Salary is subject to training and experience and corresponds to Scale 10 NU, with a minimum of € 2.790 (scale 10, grade 0) and a maximum of € 4.402 (scale 10, grade ) gross per month on a 38 hour per week contract.

The EUR has attractive employment conditions, which include a holiday allowance of 8.0%, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 41 annual vacation days in case of a full workweek. 

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research. Our scientists and students work in close collaboration with internal and external parties to solve global, social challenges, inspired by the always dynamic and cosmopolitan Rotterdam. Our mission is therefore "Creating positive societal impact". Our academic education is intensive, active and application-oriented. Our research increasingly takes place in multidisciplinary teams, which are strongly intertwined with international networks. With our research impact and thanks to the high quality of education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. The Erasmian values ​​function as our internal compass and make Erasmus University recognizable to the outside world: engaged with society, world citizen, connecting, entrepreneurial and open-minded. www.eur.nl

Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC)

The Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC) is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. The school has three departments: History,  Arts and Culture and Media & Communication.

ESHCC offers high quality education, based on scientific research, at the intersection of the Humanities and Social Sciences. We teach our ambitious, Dutch and international students in a stimulating learning environment. After graduation, they will have acquired the knowledge, insight and skills to make an important and inspiring contribution to an increasingly international society in which diversity plays a major role.

The ESHCC also has an ambitious research agenda. We want to strengthen our involvement in multidisciplinary research, expand the share of external funding in our total research funding and increase our social impact:  https://www.eur.nl/eshcc/onderzoek/history-erasmus. Research takes place within the framework of two research centres:  ERMeCC and History@Erasmus.

Erasmus Research Centre for Media, Communication and Culture (ERMeCC)

The Erasmus Research Centre for Media, Communication and Culture (ERMeCC) is a vibrant, internationally oriented research centre within the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication which serves as the main base for researchers in Media, Communication and Culture at Erasmus.