PhD Position on Political Corruption and Media

Are you exceptionally interested in science, and specifically in the field of Political Corruption and Media? Is it your ambition to become a top-tier researcher?

We are seeking a PhD candidate for the “Political Corruption and Media” project, which is funded by the European Union. The PhD position is embedded in the international research project RESPOND (‘Rescuing Democracy from Political Corruption in Digital Societies’), consisting of 16 research institutions in 12 European countries.

The PhD track is part of the Political Communication & Journalism (PC&J) programme group at the Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR). The group focuses on the (digital) communication challenges to democracy by studying the predictors, content, and consequences of information creation and consumption. It has a large and vibrant PhD cohort of more than 15 PhD candidates.

What are you going to do
The PhD project is based on the premise that democracy today is being put to the test. Confidence in democracy is at a low point, and illiberal democracies are on the rise in many countries, including the EU that, according to some, may be facing its own wave of autocratization. One of the reasons for the increasing dissatisfaction or lack of trust in democratic institutions is the presence of (whether real or perceived) political corruption. Still, we do not know enough about the role of political corruption in democratic erosion processes or how to “rescue” democracies from its effects.

The PhD project investigates how corruption is socially constructed. More concretely, we focus on the three main objectives: (1) Detecting complex discursive networks of actors shaping the social construction of corruption in the public sphere (both in traditional and social media); (2) Testing how exposure to media reporting and social media content about corruption adjacent concepts (e.g., bribing, embezzlement, lobbying) affect citizens’ problem awareness, distribution of responsibility, political participation and support for anti-corruption policies; (3) Expanding scientific understanding of the role investigative journalism and (evolving) journalistic practices play in strengthening accountability by revealing transnational corruption and illicit financial flows.

The project team consists of Prof. Dr. Marieke de Goede (Political Science, Promoter), Dr. Anne Kroon (Communication Science, co-promotor and daily supervisor), Dr. Sofia Wickberg (Political Science, co-promotor and daily supervisor), Dr. Christopher Starke (Communication Science, co-promoter and daily supervisor).

What do you have to offer
You are:

• eager to contribute to the scientific field;
• motivated to share your knowledge with academic and non-academic audiences, as well as students;
• strongly committed to methodological rigor and scientific integrity;
• curious and eager to learn new skills, theoretical perspectives, and practical issues;
• motivated to contribute to the Program Group of Political Communication and Journalism and the Amsterdam School of Communication Research.

Your experience and profile

You have:

• a (Research) Master’s degree in Communication Science, Political Science, or a related field or have almost completed the program;
• a general understanding of political communication theories or are willing to learn them;
• a firm basis in and, ideally experience with research methods and data analysis, in particular: survey experimentation, content analysis, and qualitative interviewing (experience with MAXQDA, or R is desired);
• an excellent written and spoken command of English (Dutch language proficiency is desired);
• excellent social and organizational skills.

What can we offer you
The planned starting date for this project is January 1st, 2025, but there is some flexibility about the starting date. The position concerns temporary employment of 38 hours for a maximum term of four 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 that 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 for approximately 10% of the contract.

The project is embedded in the international RESPOND project funded by the European Union. If desired, the PhD candidate can travel to the project meetings and possibly spend a research visit at one of our partner universities.

For this position, the University Job Classification profile PhD Candidate applies.

Your salary will be € 2872 gross per month in the first year and will increase to € 3670 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 in which initiative and input are highly valued
• an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues
• an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

About us
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 Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences plays 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.

Questions
Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Christopher Starke, Assistant Professor of Political Communication, c.d.r.o.starke@uva.nl

Job application
Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by October 31, 2024. You may apply online by using the link below.

Applications in .pdf should include:

• a curriculum vitae;
• a letter of motivation (max 2 pages) that outlines your preparation and motivation to pursue this PhD project and a short discussion of how you would approach the topic. Please be as specific as possible in describing how you meet the selection criteria. If you do not meet all of the criteria yet, please explain how you will acquire the required skills;
• the contact details of two academic references;
• Proof of your Master's and Bachelor’s degree, including grade transcripts. If you have not completed your degree at the time of application, include grade transcripts plus a statement regarding the expected date of completion of your degree.
• A writing sample showcasing your experience with conducting empirical research (this can f.i. be your master thesis).

Please submit the required information as one PDF by uploading it in the required field ‘CV’.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please.

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38 hours per week

Nieuwe Achtergracht 166