PhD Position in Sport Management and Communication Sciences: Gambling-Related Online Abuse Towards Athletes

The Department of Movement and Sports Sciences at Ghent University is offering three PhD researcher positions (doctoral fellowships) for FWO-funded projects focused on sports gambling and sports fraud, with a specific opening in the GAMBUSE project. This project investigates the nature, motives, and impact of gambling-related online abuse towards athletes, aiming to pioneer research in this critical area. The research will analyze the profiles of abusers and the effects on athletes' wellbeing and coping strategies, utilizing innovative methods such as data donation and qualitative surveys. The successful candidate will join the Sport Management Research Group under the supervision of Prof. dr. Bram Constandt and Dr. Lauranna Teunissen. The position is open to applicants with a master's degree in social sciences, humanities, or health sciences, or those graduating in 2026. Candidates should possess strong analytical and communication skills, proven methodological competencies, and fluency in English. Dutch language skills are advantageous for field research. The fellowship is highly paid and funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), with an initial contract of one year, extendable by three years upon positive evaluation. The research will culminate in a doctoral dissertation and the title of PhD in Health Sciences. The application deadline is January 28, 2026, with interviews scheduled for February 11, 2026. To apply, candidates must send a single PDF file containing a motivation letter, CV, diploma/scores, and optional references to Prof. dr. Bram Constandt at [email protected]. For full details, refer to the official vacancy page and the attached PDF. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in sport management, communication sciences, sociology, psychology, and athlete wellbeing to contribute to groundbreaking research at a leading European institution.