PHD Student (4 Years)

PhD student (4 years) on Nihilistic Violent Extremist Groups Interested in conducting interdisciplinary research on Nihilistic Violent Extremist Groups as a PhD student combining insights from criminology and psychology, combining qualitative analyses with sophisticated data science techniques? We will be hiring a PhD student on a project to investigate Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) groups - that is, radical online groups (consisting of mostly adolescents and young adults) that are notorious for committing a broad range of crimes, consisting of members who appear to be driven less by a clear ideology than by general desires for chaos and online status. You will work within an interdisciplinary research team that includes Prof. dr. , Prof. dr. Arjan Blokland, and Dr. Elanie Rodermond. You will investigate these issues with a mixed-method approach, combining sophisticated data science techniques (i.e., statistically analyzing a large volume of social media data) with qualitative analyses. You will present the findings at conferences and publish them in academic journals. You will also write a PhD thesis and publicly defend it at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The targeted starting date is 1 January 2027 at the latest. • map out existing literature on NVE groups and develop ideas for cutting-edge research on these groups • explore existing data sources, find new data sources, and monitor them for updates • present the findings at (inter)national conferences • publish the findings in academic, peer-reviewed articles • assist in (minor) teaching activities within the department • contribute to the team spirit and help others achieve their goals • complete a PhD thesis and publicly defend it at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam • participate in teaching by the Graduate School of the Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, and of the Kurt Lewin Institute. • you have completed or will soon complete (before the position's starting date) a (Research) Master in criminology, psychology, data science, or other field relevant for the project. • you have an interest in, or some expertise with research relevant for extremism, radicalization, and terrorism • you have expertise in quantitative research methods and have a strong background in statistics • you are open to learning a mixed-method approach that includes a quantitative analysis of a large corpus of social media data, as well as more qualitative approaches • you have excellent verbal and written English language skills As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset. We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore, we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements. A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. So in return for your efforts, we offer you: • a salary of minimum € 3.059,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile PhD candidate. The exact salary depends on your education and experience. • Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. • A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus • optional model for designing a personalized benefits package • a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge You will work within an interdisciplinary team, consisting of Prof. dr. , Prof. dr. Arjan Blokland, and dr. Elanie Rodermond. You will become part of the Social Psychology section at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. This section is world-leading in its work on trust, emotion, cooperation, and morality. The section also has expertise in evolutionary approaches to psychology, cross-cultural research, political psychology, close relationships, and emotion, among other topics. We value high-quality research, personal development, and social cohesion within an international atmosphere. Through the team's affiliations with the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), you will also benefit from being part of the NSCR research community. This includes joining its growing research cluster on extremism and terrorism, benefiting from the institute's broader expertise in crime and criminal behavior, and making use of its unique research infrastructure for the secure management and analysis of sensitive data. Developing knowledge for an active, healthy and meaningful life: that is our mission at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at VU Amsterdam. We maintain a broad focus on the fields of behaviour and health. Our teaching and research programmes are devoted to current developments in society. From healthy aging to e-health, and from training top athletes to social media as a teaching tool. We combine three academic disciplines: psychology, movement sciences and education. A multidisciplinary approach allows us to arrive at a better understanding of human behaviour and movement. Our aims are to help people live healthier lives, learn better and function better. You are the kind of person who feels at home working in an ambitious faculty, with an informal atmosphere and short lines of communication. We offer you all the space you need for personal development. Together with your 630 colleagues, you will take care of about 4,200 students. We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education. Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding. We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services. Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community. Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application. Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process. Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated. We will be hiring a PhD student on a project to investigate Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) groups - that is, radical online groups (consisting of mostly adolescents and young adults) that are notorious for committing a broad range of crimes, consisting of members who appear to be driven less by a clear ideology than by general desires for chaos and online status. You will work within an interdisciplinary research team that includes Prof. dr. , Prof. dr. Arjan Blokland, and Dr. Elanie Rodermond. You will investigate these issues with a mixed-method approach, combining sophisticated data science techniques (i.e., statistically analyzing a large volume of social media data) with qualitative analyses. You will present the findings at conferences and publish them in academic journals. You will also write a PhD thesis and publicly defend it at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The targeted starting date is 1 January 2027 at the latest. • map out existing literature on NVE groups and develop ideas for cutting-edge research on these groups • explore existing data sources, find new data sources, and monitor them for updates • present the findings at (inter)national conferences • publish the findings in academic, peer-reviewed articles • assist in (minor) teaching activities within the department • contribute to the team spirit and help others achieve their goals • complete a PhD thesis and publicly defend it at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam • participate in teaching by the Graduate School of the Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, and of the Kurt Lewin Institute. • you have completed or will soon complete (before the position's starting date) a (Research) Master in criminology, psychology, data science, or other field relevant for the project. • you have an interest in, or some expertise with research relevant for extremism, radicalization, and terrorism • you have expertise in quantitative research methods and have a strong background in statistics • you are open to learning a mixed-method approach that includes a quantitative analysis of a large corpus of social media data, as well as more qualitative approaches • you have excellent verbal and written English language skills As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset. We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore, we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements. A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. So in return for your efforts, we offer you: • a salary of minimum € 3.059,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile PhD candidate. The exact salary depends on your education and experience. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year.