Your jobOver the past two decades, Big Tech companies have steadily increased their influence over public education. This influence has become particularly evident with the rise of platforms and artificial intelligence (AI). Big Tech conglomerates are restructuring the education sector by incorporating new generative AI (GenAI) infrastructures and applications into their own educational services, while simultaneously integrating them with third-party edtech vendors. As AI-driven tools and platforms become structurally embedded into schools’ digital environments and practices, the existing infrastructures of public education are increasingly pulled into the globalized ecosystems of Big Tech. In this project you will critically investigate the structural convergence of Public Education, Big Tech and AI in the Netherlands, and study the implications of this process for reshaping public education. During the first six months of the project, you will work on a detailed research plan based on an extended version of the 'Project Description' above, which you will carry out independently during the remainder of the project. In the second and/or third year of the project you may be asked to teach a few classes, but no more than 10% of your appointment. Your qualitiesWe are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate who:
Our offerWe offer:
In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University. About usA better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow. The Faculty of Humanities has around 7,000 students and 1,100 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. With its research and education in these fields, the Faculty aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe in a rapidly changing social and cultural context. The enthusiastic and committed colleagues and the excellent amenities in the historical city centre of Utrecht, where the faculty is located, contribute to an inspiring working environment. The department of Media and Culture Studies has a staff with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and views. As a department, we are committed to support our staff and their development and we foster various forms of interdisciplinary collaboration and team-based teaching and research. In our department, we study a wide range of media as well as cultural and artistic expressions, also in their intermedial relations. We interpret culture as a dynamic combination of artistic, creative, and everyday activities that people use to shape their identities, and within which social processes, structures and institutions are shaped. We welcome colleagues who can further strengthen the diversity of perspectives and backgrounds in our department. As PhD candidate you will be member of the Institute for Cultural Inquiry ICON is one of the four research institutes of the Faculty of Humanities. The researchers are working in six different research fields. PhD candidates are also embedded in the Graduate School of Humanities, which offers seminars and courses to improve your academic skills. More informationFor more information, please contact Dr Niels Kerssens at N.Kerssens@uu.nl or +31 30 253 97 41. Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University. Apply nowAs Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute. To apply, please send the following documentation via the ‘apply now’ button:
Selected candidates will be asked to develop a research proposal (1500 – 2000 words). Based on the research proposals, a further selection will be made of candidates who will be invited for an interview. The application deadline is 15 November 2024.
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