"Three PhDs De-Escalating Aggressive Encounters Frontline Workers and Citizens"

This project is part of the ORC-NWA consortium project "De-escalating aggressive situations between frontline workers and citizens." It aims to understand the mechanisms that drive escalation and de-escalation of aggressive situations between frontline workers and citizens, involving academic and societal partners. We seek three PhD candidates to analyze video recordings of interactions: PhD1 on enforcement, PhD2 on public transport, and PhD3 on service workers. These multi-method projects include participatory observations, qualitative and quantitative analyses of video material.

Candidates should be interested in or experienced with video analysis, have affinity with observation and statistical methods, and be enthusiastic about working in an interdisciplinary team.

Tasks include: Focusing on one of the three types of frontline workers and conducting participatory observations; Maintaining close contact with societal partners and communicating experiences (preferably in Dutch); Collecting bodycam and CCTV video footage; Developing a video observation instrument and analyzing video material; Performing statistical analyses; Combining data with the team for joint research outputs; Presenting results at conferences, workshops, and to partners; Publishing in academic journals and translating findings into factsheets; Participating in and co-organizing datasessions, workshops, and team activities; Attending relevant courses and training; Engaging with the De-Escalation Lab and the Social Change and Conflict research group at VU, and participating in departmental intellectual life.

Requirements: A (Research) Master in Criminology, Sociology, Communication Science, Psychology, Crisis & Security Management, Behavioral Biology, or a related social science field; Excellent academic results and skills; Extensive knowledge and experience with qualitative and statistical research methods; Experience with observations and video analysis is advantageous; Interest and knowledge in violence and conflict, particularly interactional research on aggression and conflict management; Experience with empirical research; Willingness to contribute to teaching in BA and MA Safety Studies and supervise BA students; Ability to work independently and collaboratively; Excellent proficiency in Dutch (B2) and English (C1).

The position is for a fixed term of 1 year, extendable to 4 years. Salary ranges from €3,059 to €3,881 gross per month for a full-time position (38 hours per week). Location: De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam.