PhD: A Multimodal Analysis of Emotion, Narrative, and Migration Politics Online

Migration has long been central to political contestation, but digital platforms have transformed how it is discussed. Online debates do not revolve around facts alone. They unfold through rapidly circulating narratives that combine language, images, personal stories, and emotional appeals. Such narratives can shape how migration is understood, intensify political divisions, and mobilise civic action.

Your job

This PhD project examines the role of emotionally charged migration narratives in digital societies. It investigates how these narratives are constructed and circulated online, how individuals interpret and emotionally respond to them, and how these interpretations are associated with different forms of political engagement. A central question is under what conditions emotionally charged migration narratives are linked to political engagement?

The project will combine multimodal social media analysis with survey experiments, and data-donation methods. By connecting digital communication with individuals’ interpretations and political responses, the research will provide a more comprehensive understanding of how online migration debates become politically consequential.

Supervision Team

The project will be supervised by Jisu Kim, Marcel Lubbers and Alber Ali Salah at Utrecht University. The project is embedded in the Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science.

Your job

Together with your supervisory team;

You will design and conduct novel empirical studies;

You will investigate new insights across disciplines, including sociology, political science, computational social science, and data science;

You will contribute to the theoretical development of the concept of migration narratives;

With our support, you will be in charge of all aspects of data collection (from data scraping from online platforms, and recruiting participants to the design);

You will use advanced statistical and computational methods to process and analyze data;

You will write international peer-reviewed scientific papers;

You will work in a collaborative environment that seeks to improve one another’s research;

You will present your work at international conferences for academics, policy makers, and educators.

Your qualities

We are looking for you, if:

You hold a master’s degree in sociology, political science, computational social science, Data Science, or related disciplines, or you will obtain such a degree this academic year;

You have experience with conducting quantitative research;

You are motivated to design and conduct your own quantitative research;

You have excellent English writing and presentation skills;

You have great organizational skills.

Our offer

a job for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment;

a working week of 36 - 40 hours and a full-time gross salary between €3,204- in the first year and €4,051,- in the fourth year of employment in scale P of the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities;

8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;

a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A 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 Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in cultural anthropology, educational sciences, interdisciplinary social science, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. Almost 7,000 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 1,100 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues.

The faculty is located at Utrecht Science Park near the historical city centre of Utrecht.

More information

For more information, please contact Jisu Kim by j.kim@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

As 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.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

To apply,

please send your curriculum vitae;

a letter of motivation (in English) where you explain why you are interested in this position and where you refer to the qualities listed above;

the contact information of two referees;

an overview of courses you took and the grades you received during your master programme,

via the ‘apply’ button.

Please note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. Our International Service Desk (ISD) can answer your questions about living in the Netherlands as international staff. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.

The first round of interviews takes place on 31st August 2026. Our preferred start date is 1 October 2026.