"PhD Candidate in News Literacy for and by Groningen MBO Youth (1.0 FTE)"

Job Summary

This four-year PhD project involves conducting research on how MBO youth in the province of Groningen use and experience news. The goal is to develop educational materials for news literacy programs based on the news needs and interests of young people. It addresses the importance of news literacy for citizenship and democratic participation, noting the current gaps in MBO education and the evolving news consumption habits of youth.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research resulting in a dissertation aligned with the project's objectives.
• Organize and carry out data collection for sub-projects in Groningen and Stadskanaal.
• Publish research results in international scientific journals.
• Present research to both academic and practical audiences, including journalists and MBO educators.
• Contribute to a limited number of teaching activities in Media Studies (0.4 FTE over four years).

Qualifications and Requirements

• A completed Master's degree in fields such as journalism studies, media studies, communication science, educational science, social sciences, or humanities.
• Strong research skills, both conceptual and empirical.
• Knowledge and skills in qualitative and/or design-oriented research methods.
• Proficiency in Dutch at C1 level and excellent academic writing skills in English.
• Enthusiasm for working with youth in various regions and interest in (local) journalism.
• Strong social and communication skills, ability to work in a team, good organizational skills, and perseverance.

What the Employer Offers

• A fixed-term contract for 48 months, initially for 12 months with extension possible based on performance.
• Salary ranging from a minimum of €2,901 gross per month in the first year to a maximum of €3,707 gross per month in the fourth year, based on full-time employment (scale P).
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Employment at the University of Groningen, starting on 1 December 2025.