Postdoctoral researcher (100%) for the ERC project DISCONNECT (22438) – Communication Sciences – Ghent, Belgium

→  Apply before [[28/02/2022]] 23:59 (Brussels Time)
   →  [[Research Group: imec-mict-UGent]]  
   →  Department: [[PS01 – Department of Communication Sciences, Ghent University ]]
   →  Occupancy rate: [[100% (negotiable) ]]
   →  Number of positions: [[1]]    
   →  Term of assignment: [[Duration of minimum 2 years, maximum 3 years (depending on seniority)]] 
   →  Wage scale:  [[PD1]] 
   →  Required diploma: [[PhD degree in Social Sciences or Computational Sciences ]] 

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 8,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

    ABOUT THE PROJECT

The DISCONNECT project is a large-scale research project funded by the European Research Council supervised by Prof. dr.  Mariek Vanden Abeele. In the project, we examine whether we can model people’s experiences of digital wellbeing as a dynamic system in which the advantages and drawbacks of digital connectivity form a delicate balance. To build this model, we collect and analyze intensive longitudinal data.  We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher who has expertise and experience in working with intensive longitudinal data to complement our multi-disciplinary team. Ideally, you have advanced time series analysis skills, and you are willing to school yourself further in state-of-the-art statistical and computer scientific analysis techniques, including network analysis and machine learning, to subsequently apply these techniques to the project data. More information about the project can be found here: https://www.ugent.be/en/research/research-ugent/eu-trackrecord/h2020/erc-h2020/disconnect.htm.

     YOUR TASKS 

You will be a member of a multi-disciplinary team, consisting of communication scientists, psychologists, sociologists, engineers and cultural studies researchers. Your task will be to work together with the team on the project. You bring your own ideas about the project to the table and help with shaping the research. Also, you will work on the collected intensive longitudinal data with the team to gain further insights into digital wellbeing. On the one  hand, we expect you to actively contribute to the data collection, co-supervise PhD students, (co-)author scientific articles, and participate in dissemination activities of the project, such as presenting results in (inter-)national scientific conferences. You, on the other hand, get the chance to shape your own research agenda and further develop your research skills, while also benefiting from working with a large team on a prestigious European project. This also entails being involved in other activities that interest you in the research group imec-mict-UGent, and the department of Communication Sciences at Ghent University.

    WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR 

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate obtained max. 6 years ago. This term of 6 years is determined by the date written on the above-mentioned required diploma.
• You have a PhD degree in either social or computational sciences and can demonstrate expertise in statistical and computer scientific analysis techniques for analyzing intensive longitudinal data. Candidates with degrees from other programs (e.g., Humanities, Informatics) may also apply when they can show sufficient knowledge of the research domain and can demonstrate relevant expertise. PhD students who are  currently finalizing their PhD degree are welcome to apply.
• You are an excellent and motivated researcher with an analytic mind.
• You can work with intensive longitudinal data, and are proficient in R and/or Python. Your profile becomes more competitive if  you can demonstrate experience or can motivate your interest in working with intensive longitudinal data in the broader field of social sciences and humanities.
• You are fluent in English, including academic writing in English.
• You are proactive, and capable of independently developing your own research line within the confines of the project.
• You are communicative, work well in a team and are capable of both giving and receiving feedback, as well as transforming feedback adequately in your activities.
• You enjoy being involved in the work of colleagues and are willing to take on a supervising role.
• You are not afraid to roll up your sleeves. At times when the project asks a lot of energy, you can motivate both yourself and others to go that extra mile.

   WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU 

• We offer you a contract with a term of minimum 2, maximum 3 years.
• Your contract will start on a mutually agreed upon date (earliest start date: 1 April).
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy several benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch only).
• You will work in a dynamic and stimulating research environment. You will work in the ‘De Krook’ building in Ghent, a place where knowledge, creativity and entrepreneurship are central.
• It is possible to make arrangements for remote work and flexible office hours. We strive to achieve a healthy work-life balance and nurture a healthy and rewarding work environment in which individual differences are welcomed and valued.

    INTERESTED? 

Please send in your application no later than Feb 28, 2022, at 23:59 (CET) via the e-recruitment system of Ghent University. We cannot accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system!

 Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘CV’: your CV containing an overview of your study and work career, and in which you include the names and contact information of 2 persons who we may contact as referents (merged into one pdf file)
• In the field ‘Cover letter’: a letter in which you motivate why we should consider your candidacy, in pdf format
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign degree in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
• In the field “other documents”: Please add a manuscript, paper or article that demonstrates your writing skills, and a short (max. 50 words) motivation for why you chose this piece (can be co-authored, a link to this article in your cover letter is also OK)

 Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position. The submitted documents will be used to shortlist candidates. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an in-person or video conference interview. Any candidate who may require special facilities should indicate this in their application, and we will try to accommodate their request. We aim to notify all candidates of the results of the selection process no later than the end of March.

MORE INFORMATION 
Please contact the principal investigator of the project, Prof. dr. Mariek Vanden Abeele, if you have further questions about this position and the vacancy: mariek.vandenabeele@ugent.be.

More information about the imec research group mict can be found here: www.mict.be

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read our FAQ.