PhD Fellow: Critical Media Studies&Kidfluencer Ethnography, Ghent

Doctoral fellow - Department of Communication Sciences Department

PS01 - Department of Communication Sciences

Degree

Communication Science; Social and Cultural Anthropology or a related discipline

Occupancy rate

100%

Vacancy type

Research staff

YOUR TASKS For the KIDFLUENCER project (), we are looking for a PhD candidate with a profile in critical media studies and/or (digital) anthropology to conduct ethnographic research with preschool and primary school children. KIDFLUENCER is a five-year research project, funded through an ERC Consolidator Grant, that examines how children experience the kidfluencer phenomenon. Kidfluencers are monetized social media accounts centered on young children, whose content is explicitly aimed at a young audience. The project is grounded in a critical media studies perspective and approaches kidfluencing as a form of platformized cultural production, paying attention to the political economy of social media, processes of commercialization and datafication, and the ways in which childhood is mediated and commodified. At the same time, it connects with (digital) anthropological approaches by focusing on everyday media practices, lived experiences, and children’s meaning‑making within their daily contexts. Within the project, we analyze:

the production processes and platform ecology behind kidfluencer content,

the content, representations, and underlying discourses and narratives,

and how children interpret, incorporate, and assign meaning to this content within their lifeworlds (meaning‑making and interpretive practices).

The PhD position is situated within the final work package. The project employs a team of researchers, with collaboration and knowledge sharing at its core. The ethnographic component builds on a child‑centered and context‑sensitive approach. The project adopts a systems perspective that zooms in on the complex reality of children’s living environments and how media use is embedded within them. The position involves designing and conducting longitudinal ethnographic research with preschooland primary school children. You will carry out observations in the children’s home environments. This research will result in a doctoral dissertation, leading to a PhD degree in Communication Sciences. In addition, the PhD candidate is expected to actively contribute to the valorization and societal dissemination of the research findings.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

You hold a Master’s degree (preferably) in Communication Science, Anthropology or a related discipline.

You have a strong theoretical background in critical media studies and/or digital media anthropology.

You have an affinity with research on digital media, social media, and influencer culture.

You have demonstrable experience with ethnographic research.

You have a critical mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to think abstractly.

You are a team player with a flexible work attitude. You are willing to adapt your working hours to enable observations within family contexts.

You have strong social skills and feel comfortable building trust and long‑term relationships with participating families, including being present in their home environments.

You have experience with academic writing and presenting.

You have an excellent command of Dutch and English, both spoken and written. Fluency in spoken Dutch is required to communicate effectively with Flemish children.

You have an affinity with children and young people and feel comfortable interacting with this target group.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

We offer a full‑time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which after a positive evaluation will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.

Your contract will start on 09/01/2026 at the earliest.

The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales.

All Ghent University staff members enjoy a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full‑time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

EEO STATEMENT As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

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