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PostDoc (Computational) Communication Science - TWON Project

  • Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
  • 14205
  • PhD
  • €4.537 - €6.209
  • 26 - 38 hours
  • Closes on
    28-07-2025
Apply

PostDoc (Computational) Communication Science - TWON Project

  • Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
  • 14205
  • PhD
  • €4.537 - €6.209
  • 26 - 38 hours
  • Closes on
    28-07-2025
Apply

Working at the UvA

Postdoctoral Researcher

Then the job as a Postdoctoral Researcher in our Horizon Europe project TWON (Twin of Online Social Network) is perfect for you. You will become a member of the Political Communication & Journalism group part of the Amsterdam School of Communication Research, as well as the Computational Communication Science Amsterdam Lab.

 

TWON is an EU-funded project that sets out to study the potentially harmful effects of online social networks (OSNs) on democratic debates. By creating a digital twin of an OSN and populating it using generative artificial intelligence, the TWON-team is spearheading a unique approach to studying democratic debates online that is independent from the good will of companies like Twitter, Meta, or TikTok.       
Within TWON, you will participate in WP5 (Case Studies). Together with our academic and societal partners, you will contribute to studies on discussions around the conflict in Ukraine and COVID-19. Note that some of the studies, involving hybrid simulations in which human participants interact with LLM-based agents, already have been conducted. Your main tasks are to finalize a report on these studies, and to conduct additional case studies in consultation with the PI, to extend the previous work. It is important to note that our partners can contribute to the technical implementation.

We expect thorough theoretical knowledge on the usage of social media in a political context, as well as the methodological expertise on to conduct advanced statistical analyses on large and complex datasets. We advise you to have a look at the project website, https://twon-project.eu, for additional background information on the project.

 

 

Working at the UvA

Postdoctoral Researcher

Then the job as a Postdoctoral Researcher in our Horizon Europe project TWON (Twin of Online Social Network) is perfect for you. You will become a member of the Political Communication & Journalism group part of the Amsterdam School of Communication Research, as well as the Computational Communication Science Amsterdam Lab.

 

TWON is an EU-funded project that sets out to study the potentially harmful effects of online social networks (OSNs) on democratic debates. By creating a digital twin of an OSN and populating it using generative artificial intelligence, the TWON-team is spearheading a unique approach to studying democratic debates online that is independent from the good will of companies like Twitter, Meta, or TikTok.       
Within TWON, you will participate in WP5 (Case Studies). Together with our academic and societal partners, you will contribute to studies on discussions around the conflict in Ukraine and COVID-19. Note that some of the studies, involving hybrid simulations in which human participants interact with LLM-based agents, already have been conducted. Your main tasks are to finalize a report on these studies, and to conduct additional case studies in consultation with the PI, to extend the previous work. It is important to note that our partners can contribute to the technical implementation.

We expect thorough theoretical knowledge on the usage of social media in a political context, as well as the methodological expertise on to conduct advanced statistical analyses on large and complex datasets. We advise you to have a look at the project website, https://twon-project.eu, for additional background information on the project.

 

 

All about this vacancy

What are you going to do

 

You will:

  • Develop, conduct, and publish research as described in the project descriptions above;
  • Attend national and international conferences to present our research;
  • Contribute to outreach activities;
  • Collaborate with other consortium members from different disciplines and geographical origin, as well as with researchers in related projects;
  • Prepare a report that summarizes the case studies conducted in the project.

 

 

What do you have to offer

 

• You are a team player who can work independently;

• You have a clear research interest in the topic of the position (documented by publications and/or grant applications);

• You have strong communication skills;

• You are interested in the methods applicable to TWON as witnessed by relevant publications.

 

Your experience and profile:

  • A (nearly) completed relevant PhD degree, typically in communication science or a related (computational) social science field, but also in computational linguistics, information science, or similar;
  • A strong affinity with the research topic, theoretical social-science concepts and models related to the specific project(s) you apply for, (computational) social science methods, and interest in working together with a team of people from different disciplines;
  • Expertise with the tools used in the team, especially working with (large, textual) data in Python (potentially R);
  • An excellent written and spoken command of English;
  • First experience with high-quality publications in relevant journals and/or conference proceedings;

 

 

What else do we offer you

 

The position concerns employment between of 26 and 38 hours per week for a maximum term of – depending on the specific project and on the starting date – up to 8 months.

The starting date is, in consultation with the candidate and PI, as soon as possible, with a fixed end date of 31-03-2026, which is when the TWON project is completed.

 

 

What else do we offer

  • a position in which initiative and input are highly valued;
  • an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues;
  • an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

 

 

All about this vacancy

What are you going to do

 

You will:

  • Develop, conduct, and publish research as described in the project descriptions above;
  • Attend national and international conferences to present our research;
  • Contribute to outreach activities;
  • Collaborate with other consortium members from different disciplines and geographical origin, as well as with researchers in related projects;
  • Prepare a report that summarizes the case studies conducted in the project.

 

 

What do you have to offer

 

• You are a team player who can work independently;

• You have a clear research interest in the topic of the position (documented by publications and/or grant applications);

• You have strong communication skills;

• You are interested in the methods applicable to TWON as witnessed by relevant publications.

 

Your experience and profile:

  • A (nearly) completed relevant PhD degree, typically in communication science or a related (computational) social science field, but also in computational linguistics, information science, or similar;
  • A strong affinity with the research topic, theoretical social-science concepts and models related to the specific project(s) you apply for, (computational) social science methods, and interest in working together with a team of people from different disciplines;
  • Expertise with the tools used in the team, especially working with (large, textual) data in Python (potentially R);
  • An excellent written and spoken command of English;
  • First experience with high-quality publications in relevant journals and/or conference proceedings;

 

 

What else do we offer you

 

The position concerns employment between of 26 and 38 hours per week for a maximum term of – depending on the specific project and on the starting date – up to 8 months.

The starting date is, in consultation with the candidate and PI, as soon as possible, with a fixed end date of 31-03-2026, which is when the TWON project is completed.

 

 

What else do we offer

  • a position in which initiative and input are highly valued;
  • an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues;
  • an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

 

 

Your place at the UvA

About the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) is the largest educational and research institution in the field of social and behavioural sciences in Europe. Here, we explore societal and human-centered issues, driven by scientific curiosity but also with an eye for current themes. For example, the impact of media and communication on individuals and society, healthcare challenges, global urbanization, human development, the role of political institutions, understanding the human mind, growing inequality, diversity issues, and changing social relationships.
In Europe and beyond, the FMG holds a leading position, thanks in part to its more than 1,300 staff members who contribute to education and research. Will you be one of them?
Read more about the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

About the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) is the largest educational and research institution in the field of social and behavioural sciences in Europe. Here, we explore societal and human-centered issues, driven by scientific curiosity but also with an eye for current themes. For example, the impact of media and communication on individuals and society, healthcare challenges, global urbanization, human development, the role of political institutions, understanding the human mind, growing inequality, diversity issues, and changing social relationships.
In Europe and beyond, the FMG holds a leading position, thanks in part to its more than 1,300 staff members who contribute to education and research. Will you be one of them?
Read more about the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Important to know

Your application & contact

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 28 July 2025 via the red button.

 

Applications (bundled in one single .pdf file!) should include:

  • a letter of motivation;
  • a curriculum vitae;
  • preferably also a code example that you are particularly proud of (can be a Github link or similar; can be related to an assignment, research project, hobby project, etc.).

 

In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.

 

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

 

If you encounter Error GBB451/ GBC451, please try using a VPN connection when outside of the European Union. Please reach out directly to our to our HR Department directly. They will gladly help you continue your application.

 

No agencies please.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Read more

Important to know

Your application & contact

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 28 July 2025 via the red button.

 

Applications (bundled in one single .pdf file!) should include:

  • a letter of motivation;
  • a curriculum vitae;
  • preferably also a code example that you are particularly proud of (can be a Github link or similar; can be related to an assignment, research project, hobby project, etc.).

 

In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.

 

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

 

If you encounter Error GBB451/ GBC451, please try using a VPN connection when outside of the European Union. Please reach out directly to our to our HR Department directly. They will gladly help you continue your application.

 

No agencies please.

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.

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