Are you passionate about communication science? Do you wonder how big tech companies influence our society? And are you curious to research to what extent news media watch over the growing influence of big tech companies? We are looking for an ambitious PhD candidate who seeks to answer these questions.

The Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR) is the research institute for the Communication Science department at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. We are seeking a PhD candidate for the project “How hard can they bite? The media as watchdogs over big tech’s influence on society and public policy.” This PhD track is part of the Corporate Communication programme group.

What are you going to do

The doctoral project “How hard can they bite? The media as watchdogs over big tech’s influence on society and public policy” aims to research how big tech companies, through their strategic communication, influence society in general and specifically processes of public policy formation. Through quantitative and qualitative studies, it will inquire whether news media can play a watchdog role in holding them accountable. The doctorate includes three sub-projects where you investigate:

• The extent to which news media coverage of big tech companies resemble a watchdog function;
• How journalists and public affairs managers (lobbyists) perceive their roles and their power relationship regarding the accountability of big tech companies;
• The influence of big tech companies on public policy through a strategic communication lens and how news media watch over these processes.

Research tasks account for 90% of the full-time position, allowing you time for teaching activities as well (such as teaching tutorials).  The intended start date for this function is 1 September, 2021.

You have:

• An excellent (research) master’s degree in communication science or related fields (e.g., management studies, business ethics, or other social sciences);
• Knowledge of empirical research methods such as quantitative (automated) content analysis and qualitative interviewing along with a strong motivation to develop these further;
• Experience in conducting empirical research;
• Statistical skills and command of standard software packages for analysing data (e.g., SPSS, STATA, R), and a strong willingness to develop these further;
• Excellent speaking and writing command of English.

You are:

• a team player with a cooperative attitude;
• curious, eager to learn, and open to criticism;
• strongly committed to methodological rigor and scientific integrity;
• highly motivated to join the vibrant communication science research community as a scholar.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

The UvA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We value a spirit of enquiry and endurance, provide the space to keep asking questions and cherish a diverse atmosphere of curiosity and creativity.

The position concerns a temporary employment contract of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of three years and two months. The initial term of employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of 26 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. You will also be tasked with teaching Bachelor's students.

Your salary will be €2395  gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3061 in the final year, based on full-time employment (38 hours a week) and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

University of Amsterdam

With over 6,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences – Amsterdam School of Communication Research

The Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR) is the research institute for the Communication Science department at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.

A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organisation. The 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.

To work at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society