[Air-L] 2 PhD Positions at Erasmus University Rotterdam – Digital Vigilantism in China and Russia

[Daniel Trottier]

*2 PhD Positions at Erasmus University Rotterdam – Digital Vigilantism in
China and Russia*



*www.academictransfer.com/employer/EUR/vacancy/36177/lang/en/
<https://www.academictransfer.com/employer/EUR/vacancy/36177/lang/en/>*



*www.academictransfer.com/employer/EUR/vacancy/36179/lang/en/
<https://www.academictransfer.com/employer/EUR/vacancy/36179/lang/en/>*



*Job description*

We are looking for two highly motivated PhD Candidates who wish to conduct
their PhD research in the context of a research project funded by the
Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) entitled *Digital
Vigilantism: Mapping the terrain and assessing societal impacts.* As a PhD
Candidate of the Erasmus Research Centre for Media, Communication and
Culture (ERMeCC), you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with
renowned academics with an international and interdisciplinary approach.



A Master’s degree in the Social Sciences or Humanities is required, as well
as wide-ranging knowledge of and affinity for the sociology of crime, media
and culture as well as qualitative methods of social scientific research.
In addition to an understanding of the latest developments in the field,
the candidates must possess didactic skills and an affinity for working
with students. Candidates who take a proven interest in the field of
surveillance, visibility and vigilantism studies in particular are
preferred.



*Project description Digital Vigilantism*

Digital media enable citizens to persecute fellow citizens, and this
process can transcend national boundaries. This project examines digital
vigilantism (DV), both as a mediated practice and as a grounded social
problem. DV is a process where citizens are collectively offended by other
citizen activity, and respond through coordinated retaliation on digital
media, including mobile devices and social media platforms. The offending
acts range from mild breaches of social protocol to terrorist acts and
participation in riots. The vigilantism includes a ‘naming and shaming’
visibility where users publish the targeted individual’s personal details
on a public site, resulting in harassment, death threats, and other harms.



DV is an interdisciplinary concern that requires both conceptual and
empirical advancement. Drawing on previous research on digital media
culture, online policing and surveillance, the project considers the
cultural factors surrounding DV, in contradistinction to offline
vigilantism. It also considers the social impact on the various actors
involved, as well as how this complicates conventional policing and state
power. The researchers will first develop a theoretical framework that will
advance the frontier of knowledge of DV in relation to several key
disciplines and interdisciplinary fields. Next researchers will deliver a
comprehensive content and discourse analysis of news media as well as other
important sources of public discourse on the matter. This will be followed
by in-depth semi-structured interviews with an array of relevant social
actors in The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, Russia and China. This
includes participants in DV campaigns, targets of DV, police, policymakers
and media platform operators. These theoretical and empirical findings will
advance a conceptually rigorous and nuanced understanding of the
motivations and practices that surround digital vigilantism, alongside
recommendations for stakeholders.



*Research duties (80%)*

   - Conducting PhD research within the framework of the *Digital
   Vigilantism* project;
   - Contributing to the data collection and data analysis of the project;
   - Publishing and presenting research results in the form of articles in
   international peer reviewed journals and papers at international
   conferences;
   - Writing a dissertation;
   - Defending the dissertation to complete the doctoral degree;
   - Assisting in the organisation of workshops and other knowledge
   utilisation activities
   - Performing organisational tasks in the context of ESHCC, in particular
   with regard to the Department of Media and Communication;
   - Taking part in seminars, workshops, etc. that are organised by the
   Erasmus Research Centre for Media, Communication and Culture (ERMeCC) as
   well as the research schools and scholarly associations of which ERMeCC is
   part.

*Teaching duties (20%)*

   - Preparing and giving lessons within the context of the various degree
   programmes in the field of Media and Communication provided by the ESHCC;
   - Monitoring the literature and integrating new insight into the lessons;
   - Supervising and coaching students;
   - Pointing out possible improvements and integrating them into teaching
   methods and/or the content of the lessons given;
   - Contributing to the evaluation of the lessons, both in terms of
   structure and execution;
   - Participating in committees or working groups, as well as performing
   designated organisational tasks.

*Requirements*

   - A Master’s degree in the Social Sciences or Humanities, preferably a
   research master;
   - Wide-ranging knowledge of and affinity with the sociology of crime,
   media and culture and with qualitative methods of social science research,
   such as textual analyses and interviews;
   - Proven affinity for qualitative empirical research, as evidenced by
   your master’s thesis, publications, research plans and other projects;
   - Didactic potential. Teaching experience is considered an advantage;
   - A willingness to develop knowledge and skills in various disciplines
   and to increase the ability to teach a wide range of subjects within the
   faculty’s degree programme;
   - Organisational experience and skills;
   - Proficiency in spoken and written English. Non-English speakers have
   to meet the C1-standards of the Common European Framework (CEF).
   - Proficiency in spoken and written Russian or Mandarin. Native speakers
   are preferred.



*Conditions of
employment                                                           *

Employment starts January 1, 2016. The initial contract will be running for
a term of 1,5 years, which - depending on performance – will be extended
with a second term of 2,5 years.



The conditions of employment correspond with the “CAO Nederlandse
Universiteiten” (CAO NU). For the job of PhD Candidate (*Promovendus*) the
salary amounts to a maximum of € 2.801,- (grade P) gross per month on a 38
hour per week contract.



The EUR has attractive employment conditions, which include a holiday
allowance of 8.0%, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 41 annual vacation days
in case of a full workweek.



*Additional information *

Additional information can be obtained through the following links:

About the Erasmus University Rotterdam <http://www.eur.nl/english/>

About the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication
<http://www.eshcc.eur.nl/english/education/media_and_communication/>

About the Erasmus Research Centre in Media, Communication and Culture
<http://www.eshcc.eur.nl/ermecc/>

About the Media and Communication Department
<http://www.eshcc.eur.nl/english/media/>

About the research of dr. Daniel Trottier
<http://www.eshcc.eur.nl/english/personal/trottier_daniel/>

Additional information about the vacancies can be obtained from dr. Daniel
Trottier (*trottier at eshcc.eur.nl <trottier at eshcc.eur.nl>*).



*How to apply*

Your cover letter should be accompanied by a concise research proposal of
no more than 750 words, in which you explain what you consider to be the
most pressing issues in the study of digital vigilantism in Russia or
China, along with corresponding research questions. The selection committee
will invite a small number of candidates for an interview. Candidates may
be asked to submit a more detailed research proposal and/or give a test
lecture as part of the application procedure.



To apply, please send your application letter with your research proposal,
your resume, your publication list (if applicable), and the names and
contact details of two referees, *before October 14, 2016* by e-mail to
vacancies at eshcc.eur.nl. Please mention “PhD Digital Vigilantism”. You
should receive a confirmation mail within two weeks.