DEGEM News – FWD – [ak-discourse] Two full-time 4-year PhD fellowships in the context of ERC project on Digital Wellbeing (imec-mict-Ugent, Ghent University)

Von: steffen.lepa via ak discourse
Datum: Wed, 2 Jun 2021
Betreff: [ak-discourse] Two full-time 4-year PhD fellowships in the context of ERC project on Digital Wellbeing (imec-mict-Ugent, Ghent University)

***

*The research group imec-mict-UGent at Ghent University (Belgium) is pleased
to invite applications for 2 full-time 4-year PhD fellowships in the context
of the ERC project “Digital Wellbeing in a Culture of Ubiquitous
Connectivity: Towards a Dynamic Pathway Model [DISCONNECT]”.*

Digital technologies such as smartphones, laptops and smart watches enable
an ever-present connectivity. This connectivity both empowers us and
threatens our autonomy. On the one hand, digital technologies help us manage
our everyday life and reach our personal goals. On the other hand, they
divert our attention away from our primary activities, and exert pressure to
be permanently online and permanently connected. This paradox creates an
urgent challenge: How can individuals balance connectivity and
“disconnectivity? This connectivity has both advantages and disadvantages.
People struggle in finding a healthy balance between digital connectivity
and disconnection. But how do people experience digital wellbeing? What
actions to they take to enhance it? Does a healthy digital wellbeing protect
against burnout or stress? And how effective are digital wellbeing
interventions such as digital detoxes? Are you interested to examine these questions by means of either
quantitative, or qualitative research methods? Make sure to take a look at
the two vacancies below. These vacancies can also be found on our
website: https://www.ugent.be/mict/en/news-events/news/job-offer-two-full-time-phd-fe
llowships-to-work-on-an-erc-project-about-digital-wellbeing
<https://www.ugent.be/mict/en/news-events/news/job-offer-two-full-time-phd-f ellowships-to-work-on-an-erc-project-about-digital-wellbeing>.

*Subproject A: Modeling Digital Wellbeing with Intensive Longitudinal Data.*

In this subproject, we examine whether we can model people’s experiences of
digital wellbeing as a dynamic system in which the advantages and drawbacks
of digital connectivity form a delicate balance. To build this model, we
collect and analyze intensive longitudinal data from 700 Flemish adults by
logging their smartphone and laptop use, and administering short
questionnaires multiple times per day. These data are subsequently combined
with traditional survey data, to build dynamic, person-specific models that
help explain when people experience (a lack of) digital wellbeing, and what
role personal predispositions, technological factors and contextual factors
play in these experiences.

/Job content/tasks/

You will be a member of an interdisciplinary team, in which your task will
be to model the collected intensive longitudinal data to gain further
insights into digital wellbeing. You school yourself in the use of
state-of-the-art statistical and computer scientific analysis techniques,
including network analysis and machine learning, and subsequently apply
these techniques to the project data. You develop a theoretical framework,
actively contribute to the data collection, write scientific articles, and
participate in (inter-)national scientific congresses. Additionally, you are
expected to complete a doctoral dissertation based on your research.
Finally, you participate in the daily activities of the ERC-team, the
research group imec-mict-UGent, and the department of Communication Sciences
at Ghent University. After successfully completing the dissertation, you
have acquired skills that put you on the map as ‘computational social
scientist’.

/Profile of the candidate/

·You have a master’s degree in Communication Sciences, Psychology or
Sociology, and can demonstrate an outspoken interest in statistical and
computer scientific analysis techniques. Candidates with degrees from other
programs (e.g., Data science or Informatics) may also apply when they can
show sufficient knowledge of the research domain and can demonstrate
relevant expertise and/or interest. Students who are currently finalizing
their master’s degree are welcome to apply.

·You are an excellent and motivated researcher with an analytic mind. Your profile becomes more competitive if you have already acquired
methodological and analytical skills for collecting and analyzing intensive
longitudinal data, and/or have command of R, Python or another programming
language.

·You are fluent in English and have mastered the basics of academic writing
in English.

·You are pro-active, and are capable of independently developing your own
research line within the confines of the ERC project.

·You are communicative, work well in a team and are capable of both giving
and receiving feedback, as well as transforming feedback adequately in your
activities.

·You enjoy being involved also in the work of colleagues working on other
subproject of DISCONNECT, which will be performed by other team members.

·You are not afraid to roll up your sleeves. At times when the project asks
a lot of energy, you can motivate both yourself and others.

/What we offer/

·We offer you a fulltime fellowship for a period of maximum 4 years. The
earliest starting date of the contract is 1 September 2021. Note: If you
have been employed as a fellow or research assistant at a Flemish university
below, this may have consequences for your contract.

·In addition to the doctoral grant, you can count on a number of benefits,
such as 38 days of paid leave per year, a wide range of training and
education opportunities, bicycle commuting reimbursement, ecocheques, etc. A
complete overview of all benefits can be found on the UGent website
<https://www.ugent.be/intranet/en/human-resources/financial/overview.htm>.

·You will work in a dynamic and stimulating research environment. You will
work in the brand new ‘De Krook’ buiding in Ghent, a place where knowledge,
creativity and entrepreneurship are central.

/How to Apply/

All applications must be received no later than June 30, 2021 at 23:59
(CET) at , with the following documents attached as one file
jobs.mict@ugent.be
<https://ugentbe-my.sharepoint.com/personal/evelien_dewaeledeguchtenaere_uge nt_be/Documents/Personeel/Vacatures/ERC%20DISCONNECT/jobs.mict@ugent.be>:

·A cover letter, in which you motivate why we should consider your candidacy

·A CV, in which you include the names and contact information of 2 persons
who we may contact as referents

·A transcript of your degree(s)

·A scan of your study results

·A document that demonstrates your writing skills (e.g., a paper or your
thesis)

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy,
everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

Please contact the principal investigator of the project, Prof. dr. Mariek Vanden Abeele, if you have further questions about this position and
the vacancy: mariek.vandenabeele@ugent.be
.

More information about the imec research group mict can be found here: http://www.mict.be <http://www.mict.be/>

*Subproject B: A digital-ethnographic approach to how individuals experience
digital wellbeing*

In this subproject, we closely follow a small numbers of persons (30 Flemish
adults) during a period of 2 years using ethnographic research approaches to
gain greater understanding of what digital wellbeing means to them, and what
helps and hinders them in finding a healthy balance between connectivity and
disconnection. To that end, we observe and interview people in their daily
life. We collect information about the participants’ smartphone and laptop
use, but also spend longer amounts of time in their presence (participatory
observation) to gain a better understanding of the role that digital media
play in their lives, and we talk to them about their data. By means of
triangulation, we attempt to gain insight into when individuals experience
(a lack of) digital wellbeing, and which factors contribute to this
experience.

/Job content/tasks/

You will be a member of an interdisciplinary team, in which your task will
be to analyze qualitative data that you collect among a small group of
Flemish adults. You school yourself in both classical and innovative
digital-ethnographic research methods. These include participatory
observation and interviewing, but also concern the use of digital data (log
data) to garner insights. You subsequently apply these techniques and
methods in the project. You contribute to the development of an overarching
theoretical framework, actively contribute to the data collection, write
scientific articles, and participate in (inter-)national scientific
congresses. Additionally, you are expected to complete a doctoral
dissertation based on your research. Finally, you participate in the daily
activities of the ERC-team, the research group imec-mict-UGent, and the
department of Communication Sciences at Ghent University. After successfully
completing the dissertation, you have acquired skills that put you on the
map as ‘digital ethnographer’.

/Profile of the candidate/

·You have a master’s degree in communication Sciences, anthropology, or
sociology, and can demonstrate an outspoken interest in ethnographic
research methods. Candidates with degrees from other programs (e.g.,
psychology) may also apply when they can show sufficient knowledge of the
research domain and/or can demonstrate relevant expertise and/or interest.
Students who are currently finalizing their master’s degree are welcome to
apply.

·You are fluent in both Dutch and English, and you have mastered the basics
of academic writing in English.

·You are pro-active, and are capable of independently developing and
managing your own research line within the confines of the ERC project.

·You are communicative, work well in a team and are capable of both giving
and receiving feedback, as well as transforming feedback adequately in your
work activities.

·You enjoy being involved also in the other subproject of DISCONNECT, which
will be performed by other team members.