3 PhD positions in Digital Media Use, Gender Narratives, and Adolescents’ Development and Mental Health Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Belgium

Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) is offering three fully funded PhD positions in the Department of Information and Communication Sciences (ReSIC) within the ERC Starting Grant project GENSCOPE (GEnder Narratives and adolescents' Socialization across COntexts, Platforms, and Engagements), led by Prof. Chelly Maes. The positions are located in Brussels, Belgium, and begin on 1 March 2027. The initial appointment is for one year and can be extended up to four years, subject to doctoral jury approval.

GENSCOPE studies how digital media shape adolescents’ gender beliefs, body image, sexuality, and mental health. The project examines the ways young people navigate often conflicting gender narratives across social media, television, and video games. It combines quantitative and qualitative methods, including longitudinal research, daily diary studies, data donation with automated coding, and focus group interviews. The research will run across Belgium, Italy, and Czechia, enabling cross-national comparisons of contexts with different gender equality indices.

Each PhD researcher will develop an independent dissertation while working as part of a collaborative team including the other PhD researchers, a postdoctoral researcher, and Prof. Maes. The three PhD projects will focus on complementary developmental outcomes: gender beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours; body image development; and sexuality development. Mental health and psychological well-being will be studied jointly with the postdoctoral researcher. The position is embedded in ULB’s 4-year doctoral programme, with training and professional development opportunities.

The ideal candidate is highly motivated, intellectually curious, and collaborative, with aspirations for an international academic career. Applicants should have, or soon obtain, a Master’s degree in Communication Science, Psychology, Sociology, Behavioural Sciences, or another relevant field, with an excellent academic record and some demonstrated research experience. Strong interest in digital media and youth development is essential, as is a solid foundation in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods. Experience with survey research, content analysis, R/SPSS/Mplus, qualitative analysis, computational methods, experience sampling, diary studies, or longitudinal designs is beneficial.

Because the project is international and relies on data collection with adolescents, schools, youth organisations, and stakeholders in each country, the recruitment is targeted: one PhD researcher from Belgium, one from Italy, and one from Czechia. The selected candidates are expected to relocate to Belgium for the duration of the PhD. Excellent English is required, and knowledge of Dutch or French (Belgium), Italian (Italy), or Czech (Czechia) is essential depending on the position.

The position offers a competitive net salary of about 2,100–2,200 euros per month under ULB salary scales for PhD candidates. Applicants must submit a single PDF including a CV, motivation letter, short project framing statement, and a sample of academic writing. The deadline is 12 October 2026, and shortlisted candidates will be interviewed during the week of 19 October 2026. Applications should be sent by email to [email protected].