Published: 19 July 2024
Zürich
100%
Unlimited employment
ETH Zürich
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PhD position for Social Networks and Digital Cultural Consumption
100%, Zurich, fixed-term
We are an interdisciplinary lab studying social and behavioral phenomena using network concepts. Members of the lab actively develop theories, methods and software in a variety of domains, for our own empirical studies and for our collaborative endeavors across multiple discplines. The group of Prof. Christoph Stadtfeld is looking for a motivated PhD student interested in combining social network research with analysis of digital trace data in the domain of music tastes and cultural consumption.
Project background
Sociologists have long been interested in how society affects individuals' cultural tastes. Today, it is possible to measure cultural consumption (e.g., which songs individuals listen to throughout their days) on a fine-grained level using data from online platforms and methods brought forward by the emerging discipline of computational social science. This project explores two key questions in cultural sociology with a contemporary and computational lens. First, it examines how individuals develop and maintain their cultural preferences on digital platforms and the impact of recommender algorithms on these preferences (alongside their societal implications such as data privacy and ownership, algorithm fairness, etc.). Second, it aims to bring in methodological innovations needed to combine digital data (i.e., behavioral traces on various platforms) with traditional surveys and model the longitudinal dynamics of cultural tastes and social networks from these sources.
Job description
During this project, you will be at the forefront of social network research, both independently and as a member of our research team. Your responsibilities may encompass:
Profile
Successful candidates should have the following qualifications:
The PhD project may start on October 1 2024 or on a mutually agreed upon date thereafter.
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
We offer an inspiring research environment at one of the world's top universities, close collaboration in a small research lab that is part of a leading international network of social networks researchers, advanced training in modern social networks research, generous research funding and a competitive salary. Tuition fees do not apply.
We cultivate a collegial and supportive work environment. Weekly group meetings and regular presentations provide a forum to share problems and challenges, half-baked ideas, work in progress, and obtain peer feedback. We have regular team activities, including reading group meetings, writing retreats, and day trips, to foster collaboration, team bonding, and enrich our research experience.
We value diversity
Curious? So are we.
Please submit the following application documents using the ETH online portal:
A single merged PDF document, titled with your last name and initial (e.g., SmithJM_application), containing, in the following order:
We will start reviewing applications on August 23, 2024, until the position is filled. Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
About ETH Zürich
Curious? So are we.
Please submit the following application documents using the ETH online portal:
A single merged PDF document, titled with your last name and initial (e.g., SmithJM_application), containing, in the following order:
We will start reviewing applications on August 23, 2024, until the position is filled. Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.