PhD candidate

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The ICLON, Leiden University Graduate School of Teaching is looking for a

PhD candidate Children's digital media use and their social development(0.8FTE for 5 years)
Vacancy number: 13565

Today’s children and youth (C&Y) are immersed in digital media in the full media landscape that surrounds them across contexts. The Covid pandemic revealed inequal opportunities for C&Y to use digital media. There are differences in digital media access, motivation/skills to use digital media, and support of key persons (e.g., parents/teachers/peers) herein. Understanding mechanisms in C&Y’s digital media use related to their development helps them and key persons to act in evidence-informed ways to reduce inequality. A better understanding of these factors is especially important during transition periods (i.e., from kindergarten to primary school or the early years in secondary school). During these periods, deviations in development could strongly impact C&Y’s opportunities. Our aim is that scientists, parents, professionals and C&Y understand the mechanisms that influence the relations between C&Y's digital media use, their development and opportunities. Furthermore, we want to develop skills and tools to support a positive impact of C&Y’s digital media use on development and equality of opportunities.

We are a consortium of five universities (Leiden University, Radboud University, Utrecht University, University Maastricht, and UTwente), two universities of applied sciences (Fontys and Windesheim) and seven collaboration partners (Centrum Jeugd en Gezin, Stichting Lezen, Kids Connect, TNO, Nederlands Jeugd Instituut, Kennisnet and Lucas Onderwijs).

In total, the NWA project consists of seven PhD part-projects and one postdoc project. The ICLON at Leiden University currently offers one PhD position on Children’s digital media use and their social development.

Key responsibilities

• (Research) Master in educational sciences, educational / (applied) cognitive / social psychology, pedagogy, communication sciences (completed or nearly completed);
• Experience with longitudinal data collection, experience sampling method, (advanced) statistical methods, and qualitative research methods;
• Social, organizational, and self-regulatory competencies;
• Good communication skills (written and oral);
• Proficiency in Dutch and English;
• Ambition to collaborate with schools/teachers/ youth professionals/ parents/youth;
• Ambition to collaborate with (inter)national partners and pay research visits to these partners.

Selection criteria

• Conducting the research (literature research, designing the studies, recruiting participants, collecting and analyzing data, preparing and storing data packages for sharing);
• Writing international scientific publications and a dissertation;
• Giving presentations at (inter)national scientific conferences;
• Actively engaging in outreach activities and disseminating findings to educational professionals and the general public;
• Active participation in the local and (inter)national research team involved in this project and in the research team of the ICLON;
• Following courses/training (a.o. in the context of Research School ICO and the local graduate school).

Our organisation
ICLON connects theory and practice of teaching through the application of academic knowledge to issues of classroom practice. Also, issues of practice form the starting point for research in, and development of, primary, secondary and higher education. The ICLON is an interfaculty unit within Leiden University. The Board of ICLON is formed by the deans of the faculties of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Humanities and Science.

ICLON has approximately 100 employees. ICLON provides the educational minor in the bachelor's phase and the first-degree teacher's master's degree, provides educational services and carries out projects for third parties within and outside the region, supports the quality assurance of education at Leiden University and conducts its own scientific research.

See for more information https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/iclon .

We offer
The PhD position will be for 0.8 fte for 5 years. The initial appointment will be for one year, starting September 1, 2023, with an extension of four years after positive evaluation of capabilities and compatibility. Full time salary range from € 2.541,- to € 3.247,- gross per month (pay scale P, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses(8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions.For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme.Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions .

Diversity and inclusion
Fostering an inclusive community is a central element of the values and vision of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information
For questions or further information about the position or the project, please contact Prof.dr. Nadira Saab: [email protected]

Applications
Please submit online your application no later than April 28, 2023 via the blue button in our application system.
Applicants should submit online a letter of interest accompanied by a CV.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.

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