PhD student 'Exploring the causes and consequences of compulsive socialmedia use among adolescents in a cross-national context (0,8 FTE)
focusses on pressing youth issues from different social scientific perspectives. Because of the intensification of social media use, particularly since the broad introduction of smartphones among (young) adolescents, one of these issues is social media use.
To address this gap in the literature, we are looking for an excellent graduate student for a 4-year PhD (0,8fte ), who can conduct a PhD project on (compulsive) social media use during adolescence and its impact on psychosocial and school functioning using national and international data as well as data from a longitudinal project on this topic. As part of the project, the PhD will participate in the Dutch Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, a large-scale, cross-national, 4-year recurrent study on adolescent’s wellbeing and health behaviours and their social context (for more information see https://hbsc-nederland.nl/ and http://www.hbsc.org/). More specifically, the PhD will assist with the Dutch data collection and the organization/writing of the Dutch HBSC report 2017 (approximately 0,6 for about one year) (see https://hbsc-nederland.nl/ for examples of earlier reports).
Integrating the multidisciplinary evidence of the origins and consequences of (compulsive) social media use;
developing innovative research questions on this topic using nationally and internationally representative cross-sectional and longitudinal data;
analyzing large population-based samples as well as longitudinal data;
publishing the results of the work as scientific articles in high ranked journals and conferences;
collaborating with the national and international HBSC research team;
participating in the school-based data collection;
coordinating the writing of the Dutch HBSC report.
You should have a strong background (preferably a Research Master) in psychology, pedagogics, sociology or other relevant areas with demonstrable expertise in complex statistical analyses (multilevel analysis, structural modeling);
you should be able to use one, and ideally several, statistical software packages (Mplus, Lisrel and R);
you have demonstrable experience in handling big (cross-sectional or longitudinal) datasets is an advantage;
you have knowledge of adolescent studies, preferably on social media use/gaming;
you have an interest in development and developmental trajectories of children and adolescents;
you are able to coordinate and participate in data collection in primary and secondary education;
you have responsibility, dependability, and ability to work independently;
you have excellent knowledge of the Dutch and English language, both written and oral.
We offer a 0,8 FTE position for 4 years. Your salary will range from a minimum of €2,222 to a maximum of €2,840 per month based on a full-time appointment (according to the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). In addition, we offer attractive and flexible secondary terms of employment such as an annual holiday pay of 8%, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% per year and partially paid parental leave. Preferable starting date is the 1st of September 2017.
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions, Life Sciences and Sustainability.
The Faculty of Social andBehavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in interdisciplinary social science, cultural anthropology, educational sciences, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. Research and teaching activities are concentrated in five areas: Behaviour in Social Contexts; Child and Adolescent Studies; Cognitive and Clinical Psychology; Education and Learning; and Methodology and Statistics.
More than 5.600 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The Faculty of Social andBehavioural Sciences has some 850 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues.
For more information on the project, you can contact dr Gonneke Stevens, tel.: 030 2533488; e-mail: g. w. j. m. stevens [ at] uu.nl or dr Regina van den Eijnden; email:
R. J. J. M. vandenEijnden [ at] uu.nl.
The application deadline is 13/07/2017
Apply here
Job description
You will be employed at the Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science of the faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University. The department’s research activities are organized within two programs: ‘Migration, Cultural Diversity, and Ethnic Relations’ and ‘Youth in changing cultural contexts’, a third one is in development. The research group ‘Youth in Changing Cultural Contexts’To address this gap in the literature, we are looking for an excellent graduate student for a 4-year PhD (0,8
Integrating the multidisciplinary evidence of the origins and consequences of (compulsive) social media use;
Qualifications
You should have a strong background (preferably a Research Master) in psychology, pedagogics, sociology or other relevant areas with demonstrable expertise in complex statistical analyses (multilevel analysis, structural modeling);
Offer
We offer a 0,8 FTE position for 4 years. Your salary will range from a minimum of €2,222 to a maximum of €2,840 per month based on a full-time appointment (according to the Collective
About the organization
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on The Faculty of Social and
More than 5.600 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The Faculty of Social and
Additional information
For more information on the project, you can contact R
The application deadline is 13/07/2017
Apply here