PhD Position: Simulation and Modeling

1 week geleden


Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Nederland Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Voltijd
About the Job

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our team at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The successful candidate will be part of the WHAT-IF project, a European research initiative aimed at creating a digital twin of the social media environment. The project focuses on developing a simulation-based approach to examine the role of misinformation and hate speech in democratic societies.

As a PhD researcher, you will be responsible for assisting in the development of the methodology and software for running virtual field experiments using the WHAT-IF simulation. This involves turning simulated interactions into an immersive and user-friendly interface that can be used to program and run experiments. You will lead one of the experimental studies and collaborate on others, answering questions on the role of media diets and their effects on democratic outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in computational communication science, political science, or a related field. You should have experience with empirical studies, research designs, and computational tools such as Python, R, and simulation software. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are essential for this role, as you will work closely with an international team of researchers.

What We Offer

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers a challenging and rewarding work environment, with opportunities for professional growth and development. As a PhD researcher, you will receive a salary of € 2.872,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.670,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment. We also offer attractive fringe benefits and arrangements, including a full-time 38-hour working week, 8% holiday allowance, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.

About the Department

The research is embedded in the department of Communication Science (Department Communication Science) and the Political & Computational Communication Research Group. Our team is led by Prof. dr. Wouter van Atteveldt, dr. Mariken van der Velden, and dr. Sílvia Majó-Vázquez, who are international key players in the field of political and computational communication science.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is a leading research university in the Netherlands, with a strong focus on interdisciplinary research and education. Our faculty is committed to creating a safe and respectful work and study climate, and we strive to promote diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work.



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