PhD Position in Social Data Science

We are looking for a PhD candidate who:

• holds a completed (research) master’s degree in (Social) Data Science, Communication Science, Psychology, or Economics; excellent grades, particularly for final-year dissertations, are preferred.
• is deeply interested in understanding how information spreads in online environments, and the (market) infrastructures that enable the proliferation of inauthentic content (e.g., bots).
• has strong skills in designing and conducting quantitative empirical research, and is comfortable with advanced statistical analyses, including time series analysis (experience with Python and R is essential).
• possesses excellent academic writing skills in English. Knowledge of Russian and/or Mandarin is a plus.
• is sociable, open-minded, friendly, and communicative with colleagues, including other PhD students; is autonomous and responsible, taking ownership of research studies; and is diligent and conscientious in advancing research and publications. Note: the ability to work independently is particularly essential for this position, as Dr Roozenbeek spends parts of the year in Cambridge, which limits how many in-person meetings can be organised. Virtual meetings are, of course, an option.
• can collaborate effectively across disciplines and communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.

We offer a rewarding, field-advancing PhD position within a vibrant, ambitious, and socially engaged department, home to internationally renowned communication science, media psychology, and computational social science scholars. Moreover, you will join the Influence and Technology Lab at Cambridge and VU Amsterdam, a friendly and collaborative environment with a strong track record of producing world-leading research.

At VU, you are embedded in an interdisciplinary environment that fosters substantial academic as well as professional development.

We offer:

• A salary of € 3,204 (PhD) and maximum € 4,051 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• An employment contract of initially 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, based on a portfolio including academic products as defined by the GSSS, the PhD-contract will be extended for a total duration of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• Contribution to commuting expenses
• Optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• A wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge.

The Influence and Technology Lab

Why do we believe some things but not others? Why do we share information about ourselves and the groups we belong to, or groups we dislike? What are the effects of propaganda during wartime? How do communication technologies shape how we feel, think, and behave? What makes interventions to address policy challenges effective? And how do we measure these things, with what kind of data?

These are some of the overarching questions that the Influence and Technology Lab seeks to answer. To do so, we rely on the most advanced methods in the social and computational sciences, by building on methodological and theoretical frameworks from computer science, psychology, and area studies. The lab has a strong cross-cultural focus, collecting data and conducting experiments in many countries around the world and combining methodological rigour with an in-depth understanding of the societies under study.

The ITLab sits between the University of Cambridge’s Department of Psychology and the Department of Communication Science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and is headed by Associate Professor Jon Roozenbeek. This position is advertised via the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the successful candidate will work primarily from here.

Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

A better understanding of ourselves and social communities, values and meaning, through social sciences and humanities. That is the aim of The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. No single discipline can do this alone. The SSH disciplines are characterised by an open way of thinking and the natural urge to seek coherence and connection.

The faculty consists of nine academic departments within three schools: School of Religion & Theology (SRT), School of Social Sciences (SSc) and School of Humanities (SH).

Are you interested in joining Social Sciences and Humanities? You become part of a dynamic academic community with approximately 900 staff members, over 5,000 regular students and more than 5,000 course participants. In an inspiring and collegial environment, we work together on education and research with impact.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility.  Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.