PhD student f/m

For 1.0 fte

Vacancy number 1.2010.00032

As part of our ongoing research into interpersonal processes and Internet use, and supported by a grant from the
Center for Advanced Media Research at the VU University (CAMeRA@VU), we intend to hire a PhD student to
examine how Internet use, close relationships and interpersonal processes affect each other. In this project, we
take a multi-level / multi-method perspective on Internet use and relationships. We will focus on (a) the
influence relationship quality and Internet use can have on each other, (b) the role of specific types of Internet
use (e.g., use of social media; compulsive Internet use) in the development of Internet use and relationship
quality, and (c) the identification of mechanisms underlying the link between Internet use and relationship
quality. Hypotheses will be developed and tested on existing data from a longitudinal multi-wave survey among
married couples. Experiments will be designed to test additional hypotheses.

The PhD project will be co-supervised by Catrin Finkenauer (PI, VU University, Social Psychology) and Peter
Kerkhof (VU University, Communication Science). The project will be located in the Social and Organizational
Social Psychology program at the VU University, which offers a specialization in social psychology at both the
Bachelors and Masters levels. PhD students participate in the PhD training program provided by the Kurt Lewin
Graduate School for social psychology and its applications (see www.kurtlewininstitute.nl).

Tasks
o Design, implement, analyze and report experimental and longitudinal survey research testing hypotheses on
the influence of Internet use on close relationships;
o Communicate research findings at (inter)national conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific journal
publications;
o Teach/supervise students at BA and MA-level;
o Participate in teaching activities offered by the KLI Graduate School;
o Write and defend a PhD dissertation.

Requirements
o Completed academic degree in psychology or a related discipline with a focus on methodology, statistics
and research, including Communication Science (equivalent to MA / MSc), preferably a two-year Research
Master degree with a good knowledge of social psychology or communication science;
o Excellent research skills including statistical and methodological knowledge and experience (preferably
with knowledge on interdependent data analyses, such as HLM, growth curve analysis, Structural equation
modeling);
o Experience with designing, analyzing, and reporting experimental and/or survey research;
o Interested in interpersonal processes, Internet use and social media;
o Excellent skills in writing for scientific publications in English;
o Expertise with programming experiments (e.g., in Authorware) is desirable;
o Motivated to work independently as well as in a collaborative team setting;

Further particulars
Appointment will initially be for 12 months. The starting date is flexible, but must be before November 1st 2010.
After a successful evaluation the appointment will be prolonged for another 36 months. The employment will
have to result in a written dissertation by the end of the fourth year. We offer an enthusiastic team of colleagues
who conduct cutting-edge research in social and organizational psychology and excellent research facilities
including state-of-the art laboratories and library facilities. The PhD student will be a member of the Department
Social and Organizational Psychology of the Faculty of Psychology and Pedagogics. You can find information
about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl

Salary
The salary is in the first year € 2.042,- gross per month increasing to and € 2.612,- gross per month in the fourth
year (scale 85), based on a full-time employment.
Information
For more information you can contact Dr. C. Finkenauer, Associate Professor, phone number
+31 20 59 88857, e-mail: c.finkenauer@psy.vu.nl or contact Dr. P. Kerkhof, Associate Professor, phone number
+31 20 59 86815, e-mail: p.kerkhof@fsw.vu.nl

Application
To apply for this position, please send your letter of application together with curriculum vitae, list of courses
and grades, the names and contact information of two people who could serve as reference, and proof of writing
(e.g., Master thesis). Send your application before February 24, 2010 to the VU University Amsterdam,
Department of Social Psychology, attn. C. Finkenauer, van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The
Netherlands. It is also possible to apply by e-mail to: c.finkenauer@psy.vu.nl. Please mention the vacancy
number in the e-mail header or at the top of your letter and on the envelope.

Should you want to receive a description of the project, please contact Catrin Finkenauer at
c.finkenauer@psy.vu.nl.

Any other correspondence in response to this advertisement will not be dealt with..