As a PhD in the project, you will pursue your own research agenda that intersects with that of the PIs, and falls under one of the following broad categories:

• Epistemic shifts in generative AI – How does GenAI reshape processes of knowledge validation, credibility, and facticity? How do these models affect established knowledge gatekeepers institutions? How do different modes and modalities of GenAI shape its contexts of use?
• Workflow transformations in generative AI – How does GenAI reshape professional routines and decision-making in knowledge-intensive domains? How do AI-driven agentic systems, designed with specific contexts, capabilities, and goals, redefine collaboration and expertise? How do they integrate into and redefine existing software interfaces?

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• submission of a PhD thesis within the period of appointment;
• participating in meetings of the project research group and developing a shared database;
• publishing one single-authored, peer reviewed article;
• presenting intermediate research results at workshops and conferences;
• organising knowledge dissemination activities;
• participation in the Research School and Faculty of Humanities PhD training programmes.
• (co-)teaching courses at BA-level in the second and third year of the appointment (maximum 0,2 fte per year).

Candidates need to have the following qualifications:

• a completed Master's degree in media and communication studies, critical artificial intelligence, science and technology studies. You may apply if you have not yet completed your Master's degree only if you provide a signed letter from your supervisor stating that you will graduate before 1 September 2025;
• excellent research skills demonstrated by an outstanding Master's thesis and a demonstrable capacity to develop a track record of publishing in high-ranking journals and/or with leading presses;
• a strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative research;
• enthusiasm for communicating academic research to non-academic audiences;
• good command of English

We are looking for a PhD candidate who can critically engage with generative AI while also exploring its practical applications. The ideal candidate is neither solely focused on critiquing AI from a distance nor unreflectively applying it without questioning its implications. Instead, we seek someone who combines critical analysis with hands-on exploration—someone who can interrogate the epistemic, social, and technical dimensions of AI while also experimenting with its affordances in digital research methods and interface studies. Please note that if you already hold a doctorate/PhD or are working towards obtaining a similar degree elsewhere, you will not be admitted to a doctoral programme at the UvA.

The candidate should be comfortable working across disciplines, bridging media and communication studies, critical artificial intelligence, and science and technology studies. The candidate should have an analytical yet open-minded approach, willing to engage with both the strengths and limitations of AI in knowledge production, dissemination, and professional workflows. Strong expository writing skills are essential, both for effectively commanding large language models and for producing clear, rigorous academic output. Prior experience with digital methods, such as data scraping and visualization, as well as a working knowledge of foundation models (understanding of their training processes and/or prompting), is highly desirable. While not mandatory, basic proficiency in programming in Python for digital analysis would be a plus.

Required:

• PhD candidates receive a tuition fee waiver;
• PhD candidates have free access to courses offered by the Graduate School of Humanities and the Dutch National Research Schools;
• excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
• an inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
• an enthusiastic and professional academic team.