The Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR) is looking for a 4-year PhD candidate for the project Connected Through Entertainment. This project investigates how the joint consumption of entertainment television content via social media (i.e., social TV) can foster public connection. The project is led by Dr. A. Marthe Möller (PI), Prof. Dr. Jessica Piotrowski, and Dr. Annemarie van Oosten.

Grounded in literature on entertainment communication, this project investigates how the act of discussing entertainment television content with others online can lead to feelings of public connection. It does so through four goals. First, it aims to develop a typology of public connection as this term has not been clearly defined in the entertainment literature. Second, it aims to create and validate a measure of experienced connection to others. Third, it investigates the relationship between participation in social TV and public connection. Finally, it studies how experiences of public connection are reflected in the online conversations that people have about entertainment content. By achieving these four aims, the project contributes to our theoretical understanding of public connection as a concept, as well as to our knowledge of the relationship between social TV and public connection. In addition, such insights can shed light on the potential positive impact that entertainment content consumption has on individuals and society.

What are you going to do?
As a PhD candidate in this project, you will conduct four studies connected to the four research goals of the project. The project comprises multiple research methods, namely a systematic narrative literature review, survey research, experimental research, and (manual) content analysis. Together, successfully completing these projects will lead to a PhD dissertation. Your tasks will include:

• Reading and creating overviews of relevant academic literature and, based on this, design and specify the four studies of the project;
• Managing the project, i.e., scheduling meetings with the supervisory team and preparing the agenda for these meetings, as well as keeping notes during the meeting;
• Preparing the studies, e.g., setting up a survey and designing stimulus materials;
• Collecting and analyzing data for the studies, e.g., gathering a sample of the literature, gathering survey responses;
• Writing academic papers reporting on each of the four studies as well as submitting these manuscripts to academic journals and revising them based on peer-reviews;
• Presenting the studies at academic conferences;
• Contribute to the ASCoR research community by attending workshops, meetings, and lectures;
• Contribute to teaching activities at Bachelor’s level for 10% of your time.

A successful candidate for this position has affinity with quantitative research methods and writing academic texts. Moreover, you are able to work independently and manage your own time. Furthermore, you have:

• A (Research) Master’s degree in Communication Science, Psychology, or a related field or will obtain this degree before the start of the project;
• A strong interest in the topics of social TV, entertainment experiences, and public connection;
• Knowledge of and experience with research methods and data analysis; in particular, literature reviews, surveys, experiments, and (manual) content analyses (such experience could be obtained, for example, in Master’s courses or internships);
• Knowledge of and experience with Open Science principles;
• A strong commitment to methodological rigor and scientific integrity;
• A strong interest to learn new skills;
• Excellent command of spoken and written English;
• Excellent social and organizational skills;
• Motivation to share your knowledge with academic and non-academic audiences;
• Ability to work in a team and use the input of different team members to obtain the best possible results;
• Creativity, for example, in designing and setting up studies or in teaching tutorial groups;
• Empathy, for example, the ability to consider questions and uncertainties of individuals participating in academic research for the first time, or of first-year bachelor students.

The planned starting date for this project is 1 April 2024. The position in principle concerns temporary employment of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of 4 years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of 36 months, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events, such as academic conferences. You will also be tasked with teaching Bachelor's students. For this position the University Job Classification profile “promovendus” applies.

Your salary will be €2770,- gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3539,- in the final year, based on full-time employment and in keeping with 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 position which focuses on the PhD candidate and creating opportunities for their scholarly and professional development;
• A supervision team with the goal to supervise and advice the PhD candidate in their work on specific studies/task in particular but also to support the PhD candidate in terms of professional development through regular team meetings;
• A daily supervisor who is available for the PhD candidate for regular contact on all matters relevant to the candidate;
• An enthusiastic and warm department that is open to new colleagues;
• A large, welcoming community of PhD candidates working in various projects within Communication Science;
• An inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
• While frequent presence at the office is valued in terms of cohesion and team building, we offer the opportunity to work hybrid (i.e., to work from home from time to 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.

About the faculty
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.