Post Graduates in Humanities and Social Science! University Rotterdam calls you for doing PhD, Salary: Rs.182840 (approx.)

The Erasmus Research Centre for Media, Communication and Culture (ERMeCC) is looking for:

3 PHD-CANDIDATES IN MEDIA AND CULTURE (F/M, FULLTIME)

Salary € 2.612 per month (Tax free)

Job description

We are looking for three highly motivated PhD-candidates who consider it a challenge to conduct their PhD research in the context of a collaborative research project funded by the Dutch Science Foundation (NWO) on Locating Imagination. An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Literary, Film and Music Tourism. 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 approach.

A master’s degree in the humanities or social sciences is a must, as well as a wide-ranging knowledge of and affinity for the sociology of media and culture and qualitative methods of social science research. In addition to an understanding of the latest developments in the field, the candidate must possess didactic skills and an affinity for working with students. Candidates who take a proven interest in the field of literature, film, popular music, and/or media tourism are preferred.

Project description Locating Imagination

The topic of this research project is media tourism, the phenomenon of people travelling to places because of an association with a film, television series, novel or other media product. Recently significant growth has been detected in this form of tourism, with far-reaching consequences for the locations concerned. Famous examples would be Lord of the Rings tours in New Zealand, Harry Potter locations in the UK, Dracula tours in Romania, the popularity of Elvis’ grave in Graceland or The Da Vinci Code fans in Paris and London.

Media tourism has received a growing amount of attention from scholars in various academic disciplines. However, the existing knowledge about this phenomenon is still highly fragmented. This project aims to be the first in which interdisciplinary research will be conducted, involving an analysis and comparison of literary, cinematic and musical examples of media tourism. By investigating commonalities and differences, we intend to highlight how literature, film and music, each in their own way, stimulate the geographical imagination and literally ‘move’ their audiences. The research is based on a combination of qualitative content analysis, ethnographic fieldwork and other qualitative, experimental methods.

Research duties (80%)

Conducting PhD research within the framework of Locating Imagination;
Contributing to the data-collection and data-analysis of these projects;
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;

Performing organizational tasks in the context of ERMeCC;

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 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 the designated organizational tasks

Requirements

A master’s degree in one of the social sciences or humanities;

A wide-ranging knowledge of and affinity with the sociology of media and culture and with qualitative methods of social science research, such as textual analysis, interviewing and participant observation;

Proven affinity for qualitative empirical research, as evidenced by your master’s thesis, publications, research plans and other projects;

Didactic potential. Teaching experience at university level is considered an advantage;

A willingness to develop one’s knowledge and skills in various disciplines, to increase one’s 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 the Dutch language. International applicants are expected to acquire a passive understanding of the Dutch language within 1 year

Conditions of employment

Employment starts January 1, 2013. 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 € 2.612,- (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.

Contract type

Temporary, a term of 1,5 years, which - depending on performance – will be extended with a second term of 2,5 years

Additional information about the vacancies can be obtained from dr. Stijn Reijnders (reijnders@eshcc.eur.nl).

website: http://www.eshcc.eur.nl

-Sameema Palakkad