Physical environmental factors play an important role in socioeconomic inequalities in physical, mental and social health. Despite the important role of the online world for youth, surprisingly little is known how the convergence of online and offline worlds can exacerbate these existing inequalities. In the ‘Reading between the Lines’ project you will be using your quantitative skills to evaluate various data sources (surveys, open sources, social media) on several health-related topics including vaping, unhealthy food and beverage consumption and online gambling. Insights from the digital environment will be combined with other sources to find similarities and differences between the digital and physical environment and its impact on young people's health. Besides this data driven element, you will – in close collaboration with the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences – be interpretating the findings in learning communities. This project will allow you to gain experience with a broad range of quantitative and qualitative research methods, applied to addressing a highly relevant societal challenge among young people growing up in the Rotterdam region, potentially resulting in significant health impact. The ultimate aim of this project is to inform organizations like municipalities and Public Health Services in creating effective policies fitted for challenges in our contemporary society that increasingly take place online.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you'll engage in groundbreaking digital and social health research.
Your tasks include:

• Researching the impact of online and offline environments on youth health.
• Collaborating with New Momentum and other partners to develop new research methods to analyse social media content for health-related purposes.
• Utilizing online and offline data data sources to deepen the understanding of the impact of the digital and physical environment on young people's health and inequalties therein.
• Working with a social sciences postdoctoral researcher for contextualizing research findings and involving young people in research problem definition and data interpretation.

As part of the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA) Synergy Theme on Vulnerability and Resilience in an Online Society, 'Reading between the Lines' synergizes insights from academia, industry, and the public sector. Collaborative partners include New Momentum, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rathenau Institute, and other local partners, bringing expertise in public health, digital media, and social sciences. This role offers an opportunity to be part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team contributing significantly to understanding and shaping young people's digital and physical experiences.

• The position is offered to researchers who hold a PhD degree in a relevant field such as Health Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology, Data Sciences, or a related field.
• You are experienced in handling large datasets and good track record of scientific communication (oral and written).
• Key skills that the candidate will be developing and working with are social network analysis and social media content analysis.
• Familiarity with the target group (12-16 year olds) is advantageous.
• We offer the opportunity for candidates to acquire further experience in advanced data analysis and to deepen their affinity with mixed-methods research.
• The department further highly supports the candidates who want to further develop their skills in acquisition, multidisciplinary collaboration, leadership, goal-oriented working, creativity, initiative, engagement, vision, and visibility.

• You will receive a temporary position for 2 years.
• The gross monthly salary amounts a maximum of € 5.292,- (scale 10), depending on your level of education and relevant experience, based on a full-time working week of 36 hours.
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and a individual travel expense package.
• An International Office which aids you in preparing for you arrival and stay.
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 2/3 of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as a incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. And there is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work.

Erasmus MC

At the department of Public Health, we are dedicated to improve population health at local, national, and international level through excellent research and education. Our research is characterised as highly multidisciplinary and is focused on the development and use of innovative methods. Collaboration with and direct impact on practice and policy are at the heart of our work. The department of Public Health has ample experience in investigating the mechanisms of health inequalities, and studying the role of environmental factors for health and health inequalities.