Adolescents heavily use synthetic content – AI-generated text, audio, images, and video. However, given their still developing cognitive skills, they may also be least equipped to deal with synthetic content. This project investigates how synthetic content reshapes how adolescents develop knowledge. We propose a novel framework that links synthetic content to adolescents’ increased doubt about what can be reliably known (epistemic uncertainty) and their diminishing capacity to form beliefs independently (epistemic agency). Epistemic uncertainty and reduced epistemic agency, in turn, may lead to a collapse of shared norms of knowledge, distrust in epistemic authorities, and declining intellectual engagement (epistemic anomie). 

This project uses several quantitative and qualitative methods like (panel) survey, lab experiments focus groups, and data donation. Each PhD Candidate will write a paper-based dissertation and strive to publish the results of the individual sub-studies in journals in the field of communication science and related disciplines.

This project consists of two PhD projects and is funded by the Dutch Research Foundation (NWO) through an Open Competition L grant. Therefore, successful candidates are also expected to participate in activities related to the overall project. The PhD project will be supervised by prof. dr. Jochen Peter and dr. Toni van der Meer. The preferred starting date for the PhD Candidate is 1 January 2027.

Tasks include:

• completing an English-language PhD dissertation consisting of research articles within the appointment period;
• conducting (panel) surveys, lab experiments, data donation, and qualitative focus groups;
• conducting data analysis;
• presenting the work at national and international conferences;
• spending 10% of your time on teaching-related tasks.

You have:

• a (research) master’s degree in Communication Science or in another social science discipline relevant to the project, such as Political Science, Sociology, or (Social) Psychology;
• experience with aspects related to the topic of the proposal (e.g., digital communication, artificial intelligence, developmental research, research on mis/disinformation);
• experience with quantitative research methods (e.g., (panel) survey, (lab) experiment, data donation), ideally already demonstrated in your thesis or other research projects you were involved in;
• experience with various techniques of quantitative statistical data analysis, experience with longitudinal analyses is a plus;
• experience with, or knowledge of, focus groups and analysis of qualitative data;
• an excellent spoken and written command of English (as you will write an English-language dissertation and present at international conferences);
• an excellent spoken and written command of Dutch is a plus;
• the motivation and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.

You are/have:

• passionate about research, particularly related to adolescents, misinformation, and/or artificial intelligence;
• an affinity with the topic of the project;
• open to feedback;
• committed to open science;
• able to work independently and in a team;
• eager to learn and to develop new (academic) skills;
• organized, flexible, and have attention to detail.

The position concerns temporary employment of 1.0 fte (38 hours per week) for a maximum term of 4 years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered financial and organizational circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of 3 years, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events. You will also be tasked with teaching Bachelor's students.

For this position the University Job Classification profile “PhD Candidate” applies. 

Your salary will be [€3,204] gross per month in the first year and will increase to [€4,051] in the final year, based on full-time employment and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.