Wetenschappelijk Onderzoeker Sociologie vacatures in de provincie Groningen

PhD Position in Cultural Sociology/Media Studies: Audience Experience and mobile media use in live music

PhD

PhD Position in Cultural Sociology/Media Studies: Audience Experience and mobile media use in live music

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the University of Groningen for a fully-funded PhD research project exploring the relationship between audience experience, spatial positioning, and digital engagement at live music events.

Faculty of

Closing date: 8 januari 2026

0.8 - 1 FTE

€3.059 - €3.881

PhD Position in Cultural Sociology/Media Studies: Audience Experience and mobile media use in live music

https://werkenbij.rug.nl/vacature/phd-position-in-cultural-sociology-media-studies-audience-experience-and-mobile-media-use-in-live-music-1602/?langlang=en

What are you going to do?

This interdisciplinary project sits at the crossroads of sociology, media studies, digital anthropology, and urban geography, offering the opportunity to investigate how physical and digital spaces interact in shaping live event experiences.

You will be asked to:

- Conduct original research on audience experience in live music events

- Develop and apply mixed-method approaches, such as spatial mapping, qualitative interviews, and media analysis

- Collect and analyze data on audience movement and mobile phone use in different spatial settings

- Present findings at academic conferences and contribute to peer-reviewed publications

- Collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers and engage with relevant creative industry stakeholders

- Participate in departmental activities, including seminars and team meetings

- Represent the The Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG) both internally and externally through talks, networking and participation in relevant workshops

- Complete the PhD in the specified timeframe (4 years)

- teach in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year

Faculty of

Closing date: 8 januari 2026

€3.059 - €3.881

Who are you?

- A (Research) Master's degree in Sociology, Media Studies, Digital Anthropology, Urban Geography, or a related field

- Excellent academic writing skills in English

- Strong qualitative and/or quantitative research skills, with experience in ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, or digital media analysis

- Interest in audience studies, digital engagement, and the sociology of live music events

- Experience with or willingness to learn geotracking methods and digital research tools

- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment

What can you expect from us?

• In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.059 up to a maximum of € 3.881 (Promovendus) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
• A temporary 1.0 FTE appointment for a specified period of four years. The candidate will first be appointed for twelve months. After six months, an assessment will take place of the candidate's results and the progress of the PhD project, in order to decide whether employment will be continued.

Where will you be working?

At the University of Groningen (RUG), researchers across all branches of science and technology work on scientific challenges and societal issues. Lecturers train their students for meaningful careers in science or beyond. Interdisciplinary research and education, knowledge sharing, and collaboration with companies, government institutions, and societal organizations are highly valued at this top 100 university. RUG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working environment that invites you to contribute your value.

The Faculty of is a large and dynamic faculty located in the heart of the city of Groningen. More than 5,500 students and 900 staff work every day at the frontiers of knowledge. The Faculty offers a diverse range of academic programmes, with 16 Bachelor's programmes and over 40 Master's programmes. With its strong international orientation, the Faculty conducts research in fields including archaeology, cultural studies, history, international relations, journalism, literature, and linguistics. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of , visit rug.nl/let .

The PhD Project

Live music events are multi-sensory experiences shaped not only by sound and performance but also by the spatial dynamics of the venue. Audience members may engage and experience an event differently depending on their positioning within the space -whether in the front row, near the bar, or in the mosh pit-, which may also influence how they use mobile phones to document, communicate, and emotionally navigate the experience. This project will explore how spatial positioning and audience movement shape engagement, emotions, and digital interaction in live music settings.

Under the joint supervision of Dr and Dr Femke Vandenberg (Department of Arts, Culture and Media), the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop their own research focus within the broader theme of the project. Potential areas of inquiry may include (but are not limited to):

- The relationship between spatial positioning and audience experience

- Digital media use as a form of engagement, documentation, or emotional regulation

- Social demographics and variations in audience behavior across different venue spaces

- The intersection of physical and digital space in shaping collective or individual experiences

- Audience movement within the venue using methods of geo-tracking or spatial mapping

- Feelings of safety, comfort, and social dynamics in different spatial settings and their impact on participation and media use.

A mixed-method approach is encouraged, and candidates may propose methodological strategies that align with their research interests, such as ethnographic fieldwork, digital media analysis, interviews, surveys, or spatial mapping techniques.

Application procedure

Step 1: Your application

After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.

Step 2: Selection

The selection committee assesses your application and you will receive a response at the latest two weeks after the closing date.

Step 3: First interview

We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.

Step 4: Second interview and possible assessment or guest lecture

We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.

Step 5: Terms of employment meeting

After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!

Interested?

Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway.

Please add the following documents to your application:

• A short statement (c. 1,000 words ), explaining your motivation for applying
• An outline of max 1,000 words with your own research proposal in the wider frame of this project
• A curriculum vitae
• Copies of MA diploma and list of grades. If candidates are still studying for their MA diploma, a written statement from the supervisor is required, commenting on performance, motivation, skillset, content and progress of the thesis
• Copy of MA thesis
• If available, a copy of an article, book chapter or other academic text that you feel best represents your work
• In case your ReMA degree is not in English/Dutch, please include a language certificate(see information on language requirements here ).

Questions about your application process?