The Internet and emerging technologies such as AI provide new opportunities for young people to earn money and make a living, for example by becoming a content creator, or so-called influencer, on social media. Being an influencer can be very lucrative, even with a small number of followers. It also offers a lot of flexibility, is location-independent and requires little investment or qualifications. Together, these characteristics make becoming an influencer very attractive. However, being a successful influencer comes with many responsibilities (e.g., engaging with fans, setting up brand deals, dealing with unpredictable social media algorithms, and complying with various rules and regulations regarding privacy and commercial transparency etc.) which can take a toll and lead to burn-out and depression. To ensure young influencer’s prosperity and well-being, it is important that they learn how to make the most of the opportunities of being an influencer while guarding against its potential risks for their wellbeing. Little is currently known about how best to support young people in this regard. The aim of this postdoc-project is, therefore, to explore how young people can be empowered to make the most of the opportunities of being a social media influencer while at the same time dealing with its potential risks in a resilient manner.

As a postdoc, you are responsible for managing and executing the research project.  You will have the opportunity to develop and conduct your own project. And you will not work alone. The project is transdisciplinary in nature, meaning you will be collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, and with relevant societal stakeholders (e.g., young people, social media influencers, influencer agencies, policy makers) to which the outcomes of this project can be relevant. You are encouraged to address the research objectives with a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative methods (e.g., survey) with qualitative ones, particularly participatory action research and design thinking.

This vacancy is one of 5 postdoc positions at the Convergence Alliance in the context of the Social Science and Humanities (SSH) sector plan. Please see below for the links of the other 4 vacancies:

Postdoc convergentie - Governance van NPRZ vanuit een meervoudig waardenperspectief

Postdoc convergentie - Governance en impact van sociaal ondernemers op de arbeidsmarkt

Postdoc convergentie - Dynamiek van precair werk in Rotterdam Zuid

Postdoc convergentie - Participatie van ongehoorde jongeren in Rotterdam

What we expect from you:

• A PhD degree in social-behavioural sciences (for example, communication science, (social) psychology, developmental psychology).
• Affinity with digital communication technology.
• Affinity with inter- and transdisciplinary research.
• Mastering a rich plethora of social science methodological skills, preferably both quantitatively and qualitatively (e.g., participatory action research, design thinking, co-creation).
• Experience with team science and open science practices is appreciated.
• Good oral and written command of English.
• A basic command of Dutch is preferred, given the interaction with the target audience.

An internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with good working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).

The start date of this position will be determined, and you will be based at ESSB/Movez Lab at Campus Woudestein in Rotterdam. The position is for 1 FTE and for a duration of 2 years. The salary is dependent on your experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of € € 3.974, - to a maximum of € 5.439, - gross per month on a fulltime basis, in accordance with scale 11 of the CAO-NU. In addition, we offer an 8% holiday allowance, an end-of-year payment of 8.3%, and a very generous paid leave scheme. Furthermore, EUR is affiliated with ABP for the pension provision, and we offer partially paid parental leave, fully paid extended birth leave for partners, a personal career budget, work-life balance coaches, discounted collective health insurance, and more. As an employee, you can also use EUR facilities such as the University library and receive a discount on subscriptions for the Erasmus sports center.

Erasmus University Rotterdam offers a Dual Career Programme (DCP) to assist the life partners of new academic staff (on payroll) in finding employment in The Netherlands. The programme is offered in close cooperation with the nearby universities of Delft and Leiden.

Erasmus University Rotterdam aspires to be an equitable and inclusive community. We nurture an open culture, where everyone is supported to fulfill their full potential. We see inclusivity of talent as the basis of our successes, and the diversity of perspectives and people as a highly valued outcome. EUR provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, functional impairment, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 3.700 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB)

You will be employed at the Movez Lab of the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural sciences (ESSB) at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam (EUR). More information about the Movez Lab can be found here: https://www.eur.nl/en/essb/information/researchers/movez-lab

The Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences is home to a vast diversity of scientific disciplines: public administration, pedagogical sciences, psychology and sociology. In addition, the Erasmus University College, IHS, and two research institutes RISBO and DRIFT are linked to the faculty. This also reflects in the content of the (international) bachelor's and master's programs and in research.  Our activities are always focused on people and society. At the ESSB fundamental, internationally oriented research is of paramount importance. In addition, social research for professionals, policy makers, and the society is part of our research activities. ESSB offers a stimulating research environment where major national and international research grants are received. Appealing guest researchers and ambitious PhD candidates come along to conduct their research. Our education is small-scale and works with innovative forms of education such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Both the Dutch and English programs are highly ranked by students and alumni. ESSB is home to over 4000 students and more than 400 staff-members. The different disciplines are supported by the Faculty Office (for more information, please visit www.eur.nl/essb).

Convergence

This position is part of the Convergence program Healthy Start. Convergence is a collaboration between TU Delft, Erasmus University Rotterdam and Erasmus MC to tackle the urgent and complex societal challenges of our time. These challenges require fundamentally new forms of collaboration, blurring the boundaries between institutions and disciplines to develop new perspectives and solutions. The Convergence combines the strength, knowledge and methods of the affiliated institutes to tackle societal challenges such as climate change, urbanization inequality of opportunity, pressure on healthcare and digitization. In meeting these challenges, Convergence works together with a large number of public and private partners in South Holland and beyond. By using the region as a living lab, the Convergence creates a leading ecosystem for research and innovation in South-Holland, with great (inter)national appeal and ambitions. See more at convergence.nl

Healthy Start

The Convergence | Healthy Start program is committed to a healthy and promising start for future generations. A diverse team of scientists and professionals is working on scientific and societal breakthroughs - focused on prevention and intervention - to strengthen the physical, mental and social health of youth, from conception to young adulthood. The integration between excellent medical, social and technical science combined with knowledge from and application in society is crucial in this regard. This postdoc project is linked to ambition 6 of Healthy Start: ‘Involvement and participation of (unheard) youth in society’. As a postdoc you are part of Healthy Start, the Healthy Start Community and all its activities. See more at convergence.nl/healthy-start.