Are you interested in the legal and regulatory aspects of platformization and digitization, in particular in relation to sex work? Do you have a profile as an interdisciplinary researcher at the intersection of law, social science and media studies? We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher for the project "The platformization of the global sex industry: Markets, morals, and mass intimacy", which is funded by the Dutch Science Foundation (NWO) and led by Prof. Olav Velthuis (Department of Sociology) and Prof. Thomas Poell (Department of Media Studies).

With their low entry barriers, their live and interactive character, webcam platforms are among the sex industry's fastest growing segments. But despite its multi-billion-dollar turnover and their highly disputed social and economic impact, empirical knowledge of the industry is limited. The main aim of this project is to analyse the competition on and between webcam platforms, as well as the working conditions and regulation within the industry. In doing so, the project will focus on the webcam sex industry in the United Kingdom, Romania and The Netherlands. The task of the postdoctoral researcher is to examine national and international regulatory frameworks that apply to the webcam sex industry. Moreover, the objective is to gain insight into potential forms of self-regulation by industry members. The position will be embedded in the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR), as well as in the Research Priority Area Global Digital Cultures. Affiliation with the Institute for Information Law (IViR) is also possible.

What are you going to do

Tasks:

• conducting empirical research on regulatory aspects of the platformization of sex work;
• (co-)authoring publications on the basis of this research;
• active participation in the research team;
• participation in and occasional co-organization of project related conferences and seminars.

You have:

• a PhD degree with a relevant specialisation within law, the social sciences or humanities. The degree must have been obtained by the time the position starts;
• familiarity with relevant national and international legal frameworks in Europe and the United States;
• excellent command of English;
• affinity with empirical research.

The position concerns temporary employment of 30,4 hours per week for a maximum term of 27 months. Full-time employment (38 hours per week) is possible for a maximum term of 21,6 months. The initial employment will be for a period of one year and will be prolonged to the maximum term following a positive assessment. Preferred starting date is 1 September 2022.

Salary depends on relevant work experience, with a minimum salary of €3,821 and a maximum salary of €5,230 gross per month based on a full-time appointment of 38 hours per week (in keeping with salary scale 11), as per the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.

We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

What else do we offer

• A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organisation. The Department of Media studies as well as the Faculty of social and Behavioural sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.
• Affiliation with IViR, which is a leading institute for information law.
• Flexible working arrangements, including the possibility to work part time.

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization. The social and behavioral sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.