PhDs; m​/f​/x

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München is a leading research university in Europe. Since its founding in 1472 it has been committed to the highest international standards of excellence in research and teaching.

Institution Faculty of Social Sciences - Department of Media and Communication

Remuneration group TV-L E13

Full-time / Part-time Part-time (75%)

Start date  (limited to 5 years)

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) is one of the most renowned and largest universities in Germany. It has been awarded the title of University of Excellence as part of the Excellence Initiative.

At the Department of Media and Communication (Faculty of Social Sciences) we are looking for two PhDs (75%) starting April 1, 2027
, in the research project DIGIREL „Adolescents’ Social Relationships and Well-Being in the Digital Age:
Interstitial Communication Patterns and their Outcomes“ (ERC-project in der funding scheme Horizon Europe). This is a project-based position with a fixed term of 5 years.

The Project

Research Objective: DIGIREL focuses on the fundamentals of interpersonal communication and investigates whether and how today’s interstitial communication patterns — consisting of a staccato-like interplay between digital and non-digital communication episodes — influence the social relationships and well-being of adolescents — a group that, on the one hand, makes intensive use of digital media in everyday life and, on the other hand, faces developmental tasks related to the formation and reshaping of its social relationships.

The focus is on various relationships within one's immediate social circle, particularly mothers, fathers, siblings, close friends, and romantic partners.

Method
:
The project employs a comprehensive mixed-methods approach to obtain as complete a picture as possible of today’s communication patterns among adolescents, considering not only standardized aspects such as the frequency of communication forms but also their content, contexts, and emotional characteristics. In doing so, the project not only consistently integrates and links qualitative and quantitative approaches but also draws on the latest trends from both research traditions:
In addition to qualitative and quantitative social network analyses, an ethnographic study, and a standardized experience-sampling study (including data donations), a three-wave online survey conducted in schools forms the core of the project. To provide reliable information and data, DIGIREL will also develop validated and broadly applicable scales for digital communication quality and skills —constructs that have been neglected in previous research.

We are looking for you:

The PhDs will work under the scientific supervision of Prof. Dr. Ruth Wendt at LMU Munich.

The PhDs will be involved in various phases of the project and will primarily support either the qualitative or quantitative research approaches within the project. Close collaboration with other team members is expected. In addition, each PhD will develop his or her own dissertation.

The PhDs are also asked to present the research output at national and international scientific conferences and produce publications for national and international scientific journals.

Finally, it is possible to teach classes in the Department’s degree programs.

• Have an excellent Master (or equivalent title) in Communication Science, Psychology, Education Science, or related disciplines
• Be adept in qualitative or quantitative research methods with a demonstrated ability to learn new techniques
• Topical experiences in research with digital communication and adolescents desirable
• Excellent German language skills (as data collection will take place in German)
• Very good…