Do you have knowledge and research expertise in the cultural and creative sectors and industries? Are you focused on issues of management, production and business operations in these sectors? Do you have an interest in data ecosystems and digital transformation? Then we might be looking for you.

Job description
The Media & Communication Department of ESHCC invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher (preferably 0.8 FTE) to join an externally funded project focused on collaborative data ecosystems in Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI).

The project addresses the underutilization of data in the daily operations of European CCSI, particularly in experience sectors such as live music, festivals, theatre, and museums. These sectors are known for their ability to create value through audience-centric cultural experiences, yet they face significant economic vulnerabilities. The project aims to foster innovation in these sectors by developing, implementing, and evaluating human-centric, data-driven tools and practices that promote sustainable and responsible digital transformation.

We are looking for an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher, who will work closely with key project stakeholders, including CCSI companies and organizations throughout the EU, research labs, consultancies, and umbrella organizations. You will join the interdisciplinary Erasmus project team.

The successful candidate will carry out the following tasks:

Research and organizational duties (0.5 FTE):

• Conduct interdisciplinary research, including (qualitative) network analysis of collaborative data practices, considering the interplay of human and non-human actors within the CCSI, while integrating insights from multiple streams of research;
• Contribute to the development of a framework that provides guiding principles for digital transformation in CCSI and the interventions to be executed within the project;
• Collaborate closely with consortium partners and pilot organizations to understand the dynamics of implementing data-driven tools and practices;
• Contribute to the development of policy recommendations and upscaling strategies based on pilot and research outcomes;
• Participate in and contribute to project meetings and workshops;
• Prepare and present research findings at academic conferences and publish them in top peer-reviewed journals;
• Engage in disseminating project results to a broader audience, including industry stakeholders and policymakers;
• Performing a variety of coordination and organisational tasks in the context of the project.

Teaching duties (max. 0.3 FTE):

• Preparing and teaching courses within the context of the various degree programmes in the field of Media and Communication provided by the ESHCC;
• Monitoring the literature and integrating new insights into the education programme;
• Supervising and coaching students.

• A Ph.D. degree (or near completion) in a relevant field, such as Media Studies, Digital Humanities, Communication Science, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related discipline;
• Demonstrated experience in interdisciplinary research within the context of CCSI and digital transformation;
• Knowledge of the European cultural and creative sectors and their operational challenges;
• At a minimum, a general understanding of how big data can empower stakeholders in CCSI and enhance organizational operations;
• Prior teaching experience and the proven ability to inspire students from undergraduate to postgraduate levels;
• The ability and willingness to teach a range of topics in the field of media and communication, media and creative industries and to develop new courses;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team, especially within multi-stakeholder environments;
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral.
• Preferred qualifications include familiarity with qualitative network analysis methodologies and their application in technological transformation research projects, as well as practical understanding of integrating insights from diverse research traditions, including big data and artistic research, to develop a deeper understanding of the analyzed phenomenon.

We offer you an internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with excellent working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

The starting date of this position is 1 February 2025. You will be based at the Woudestein Campus in the Department of Media and Communication in the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC). This position is 0.5 - 0.8 FTE. The salary is dependent on your experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of € 4492,- to a maximum of € 6148,- gross per month on a full time basis (salary scale 11), in accordance with the CAO-NU. The duration of the contract is 12 months with possible extension with another 24 months (total 36 months) upon good performance.

Everything else we offer you, you can find below!

• Everything you need for a good work-life balance: the option to work from home in consultation with your manager, 41 days of paid leave with a 40 hour contract, 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a significant discount on a subscription for our on-campus sports centre!
• Sustainable, inclusive and diverse work environment with an open culture, where you can be yourself and we pay attention to each other and to the world around us. Make the most of our bicycle budget, or join networks such as Young@EUR, FAME, QuEUR, or Young Erasmus Academy.
• Time and space for your development in the broadest sense: development days and a personal career budget, foreign exchange opportunities with most costs paid by EUR, and free access to our university library.
• Good pension with ABP that EUR contributes 2/3rds towards, discounts on various collective insurances with Zilveren Kruis Achmea, Loyalis, and Allianz, and compensation for travel, working from home and home internet use.
• Are you currently combining your job with parenthood, or do you want to do so in the future? EUR offers partially paid parental leave and fully paid additional birth leave for partners, and our campus features a daycare.
• Moving to the Netherlands for your job with EUR? Then you may be eligible for the 30%-ruling if you meet the requirements of the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax agency), and with our Dual Career Programme we will also help your partner find the right job for them.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

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 4.100 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.

Faculty / Institute / Central service
The Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC) is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. The school has three departments: History, Arts and Culture and Media & Communication. There are approximately 2500 students and 240 employees.

ESHCC offers high quality education, based on scientific research, at the intersection of the Humanities and Social Sciences. We teach our ambitious, Dutch and international students in a stimulating learning environment. After graduation, they will have acquired the knowledge, insight and skills to make an important and inspiring contribution to an increasingly international society in which diversity plays a major role.

The ESHCC also has an ambitious research agenda. We want to strengthen our involvement in multidisciplinary research, expand the share of external funding in our total research funding and increase our social impact.. ESHCC has one research institute, the Erasmus Institute for Media, Culture, History and Society (ERMeCHS):

ERMeCHS (Erasmus Research Institute for Media, Culture, History & Society) is a research institute located within the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication at Erasmus University Rotterdam. This institute was founded in 2023,as a merger of former research centres ERMeCC and History @ Erasmus, by members of the Departments of Media and Communication, Arts and Culture Studies and History. Researchers at the institute are dedicated to carrying out interdisciplinary research on media, communication, culture, arts, history,and society.

The Media and Communication Department is a dynamic, internationally oriented department within the ESHCC. The department offers five international degree programmes: the International Bachelor’s programme in Communication and Media (IBCoM), four international Master’s programmes in Media Studies (Media & Business, Media & Creative Industries, Media, Culture & Society, Media, Digitalisation & Social Impacts) and the Research master in the Sociology of Culture, Media and the Arts. The department has close ties with research institute ERMeCHS.

About Erasmus University Rotterdam

About Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication

About the Department of Media and Communication

About ERMeCHS