PostDoc position: Social Media and Polarisation

Are you looking for a PostDoc position (2 years) in communication science? Are you interested in how social media affect polarization on pressing issues such as climate change and immigration? We are seeking a postdoc candidate in communication science who will combine a substantial interest, theoretical knowledge, and experience in political communication with strong methodological skills. The PostDoc position is part of the NWO-funded VIDI project ‘Fueling the fire: How do social media contribute to polarization?’ (PI prof. dr. Sanne Kruikemeier) and is embedded in the Strategic Communication group at Wageningen University and Research.

In the project, you will conduct cutting-edge research on communication in digital interactions and help develop a new framework on how social media influence both experienced and actual polarization. You will focus on different types of communication on social media and how that affects polarization. You will use innovative multimethod quantitative approaches, such as longitudinal survey research, (automated) content analysis, and experiments. You will work closely with the PI, members of the Strategic Communication group, and another PhD student who is part of the project.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the Strategic Communication group (https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/chair-groups/social-sciences/strategic-communication-group.htm) and the VIDI team, which is led by Prof. Sanne Kruikemeier (https://www.wur.nl/en/Persons/Sanne-S-Sanne-Kruikemeier.htm). You will work together with other members of the Strategic Communication Group.

The group and project team emphasize an engaging, collegial, and productive work atmosphere, value collaboration and peer support, and combine profound expertise on political, environmental, and science communication with state-of-the-art methods skills.

You possess:

• a successfully completed PhD degree in Communication Science, or a related discipline such as Political Science or Sociology. Candidates currently finalizing their PhD are also eligible, on the condition that they have completed (or approved) their dissertation by the time the project starts.
• an interest in political communication and willingness to have a societal impact;
• an empirical research focus and knowledge of quantitative content analysis and computational methods;
• proven proficiency in statistical software such as Stata, R and/or Python.
• a scientific mindset, inquisitive personality, team player, and the capacity to work independently;

In our international working environment, there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position, it is about language level C1.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will, of course, receive a competitive salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a gross salary of between € 3.378,- and € 5.331,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). Additionally, a contract for a smaller FTE can be discussed. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that will be extended for another year if both sides agree. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programs.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.