We are looking for a motivated and collegial postdoctoral researcher who meets the following criteria:
1. You have recently obtained a PhD in Communication Sciences.
2. Your research engages with or complements the research agenda of the Media Culture & Policy Lab. You will work in close collaboration with the Head of the Lab, actively contributing to its strategic development and external visibility.
3. You have an excellent academic track record, demonstrated by publications in international, peer-reviewed, high-impact journals.
4. You have substantial experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods and a strong affinity with theory-building in the social sciences.
5. You have experience in teaching at the Bachelor’s and/or Master’s level and are eager to contribute to educational innovation.
6. You demonstrate strong organisational and project management skills.
7. You are a reliable team player who enjoys working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
8. You have excellent communication skills in both Dutch and English (written and spoken).
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher who will contribute not only to ongoing research and teaching activities, but also play a key role in shaping the future research agenda of our group. The successful candidate will actively collaborate with several team members to identify and develop competitive, substantial research proposals, particularly in response to major funding opportunities (e.g., European Framework Programmes such as Horizon Europe). Rather than focusing on an individual research project, this position emphasizes a collaborative and strategic approach to research design. The candidate is expected to contribute intellectual leadership in aligning proposals with the lab’s core themes and interdisciplinary strengths, helping to initiate and coordinate high-quality applications that advance the group’s profile and impact.
The ideal candidate will:
9. Conduct high-quality research aligned with one or more of the lab’s core themes
10. Contribute to ongoing projects or develop new lines of inquiry, ideally with international and interdisciplinary scope
11. Support and/or co-supervise junior researchers and PhD students
12. Participate in academic service and outreach activities
13. Contribute to BA and MA-level teaching in media and communication studies (in English and/or Dutch)
Function
We offer a position as a postdoctoral assistant in research and teaching (0.8 FTE) for 2 years.
First of all, the candidate will strengthen the research unit by publishing in high-impact international journals – alone or with colleagues – and writing research proposals for (inter)national funds. Moreover, the candidate functions as research manager for the research unit: in close dialogue with the head of the research unit, the candidate develops research policy, writes collective research proposals and coordinates research projects.
Secondly, the candidate will take on teaching tasks in the Bachelor and / or (international) Master Communication Sciences.
https://www.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/master-communicatiewetenschappen
https://www.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/bachelor-communicatiewetenschappen
(S)he will supervise master theses based on research topics of expertise, teaches and/or coordinates a BA or MA course and will participate in the evaluation of examinations. Together with the other two research groups in Communication Science, the candidate will also organise seminars, lectures or other intellectual activities for the department of communication sciences at large.
In offering these possibilities in teaching and development of research, the offered postdoc position aims to provide a springboard for a solid academic career.
The postdoctoral position will be embedded in the Media Culture & Policy Lab, a dynamic and internationally oriented research unit within the Department of Communication Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences. The lab investigates the complex interplay between media industries, technologies, content, and society. Our interdisciplinary work critically engages with the societal impact of mediatisation and technological change.The Media Culture & Policy Lab brings together scholars from diverse backgrounds to address questions concerning media representation, diversity, and inclusion; digital youth culture and digital literacy; problematic internet use and online resilience; mediatization of religion, conspiracy, and belief systems; cultural memory, film heritage, and audiovisual policy. Our research is grounded in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and contributes to public debate, policy, and societal transformation. We value collaborations across disciplines and borders.
We offer a postdoc position in research and teaching at the Media Culture & Policy Lab that provides an inspiring, intellectually challenging and international environment. The postdoc position will obtain a 2-year contract that starts on 8 September 2025. Salary and benefits are in line with the university salary scales for post-doctoral staff (salary scale 44).
https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/werken-bij-kuleuven/werken-bij-kuleuven