Postdoctoral Position in Social Sciences (University of Antwerp)

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. The Department of Communication Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Antwerp is seeking talented and motivated post-doctoral candidates willing to write research proposals for competitive funding schemes on the topic of Generative Artificial Intelligence and Mental Well-Being in Adolescents and Young Adults within the research group Media & ICT in Organisations & Society (MIOS). MIOS is dedicated to the scientific study of individuals’ uses of media and digital technologies in interpersonal relations and in interaction with organizations, to gain insight into computer-mediated communication, its applications and effects, and to pursue evidence-based communication strategies, instruments and policy. MIOS is particularly interested to receive job applications and grant ideas from post-doctoral candidates working in the topic of Natural Language Processing and/or Natural Language Generation and Multi-Modal Artificial Intelligence and who have expertise on the topic of mental well-being. External and internal post-doc researchers who are eligible to submit an FWO or MSCA post-doc application are invited to apply. Note that if your profile does not allow you to submit (one of) these applications, we will not be able to take your application into consideration. The top ranked candidate(s) with the best profile (project proposal & CV) acquire a preparatory post-doctoral research mandate to further develop and submit a competitive research proposal to FWO (Flemish Science Foundation) or MSCA (Horizon Europe Marie Curie fellowships), with the University of Antwerp as host institution. A preparatory full-time or part-time mandate of at least 6 months (up to a maximum of 12 months) will be provided. Profile You hold a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Communication Science, Clinical Psychology or related fields (or you will have obtained it by the time you start the post-doctoral position). You have a demonstrable interest in (mental) health applications and generative AI. You have a strong curiosity about how AI can be used for the societal benefits. You are comfortable in doing research in multidisciplinary teams. Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies. Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision. You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation. You can speak and write fluently in English. Knowledge of Dutch language is preferable. You comply with the FWO Post Doc and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Post-doc eligibility criteria. What we offer The preferred start date is January 1^st 2026. Appointments are made in one of the following two categories, depending on your profile: Postdoctoral scholarship holder: Note: in order to be eligible in this statute, you must have spent at least 12 months of the three years prior to the start date as a postdoctoral scholarship holder abroad and did not work or study in Belgium during these 12 months. Short-term stays (e.g. holidays, participation in conferences, preparation for this stay as a postdoctoral scholarship holder) will not be taken into account. We offer an appointment for a period of at least 6 months. Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for postdoctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP). You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting. Postdoctoral researcher (contractual)You will do most of your work at city campus in a dynamic and stimulating working environment. We offer a full-time appointment for a period of 6 months, or its part-time equivalent (e.g. 12 months 0.5 FTE appointment). Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scale for a principal research fellow in the Contract Research Staff category (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP). You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, a group insurance, an income protection insurance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting. Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here. Want to apply? You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including September 1^st, 2025. Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following three attachments: we will not be able to consider applications that do not have all of these attachments. a motivation letter your academic CV a brief (2-3 pages, 1500-2500 words) project proposal on generative AI and mental wellbeing in adolescents and young adults that will form the basis of your grant application(s). This proposal should contain (1) the scientific novelty of the idea and (2) an outline of the methodological approach. The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure. Interviews with selected candidates will take place (online) late September, early October. If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Dr. Gert-Jan de Bruijn (gert-jan.debruijn@uantwerpen.be, limited availability July 21^st- August 18^th) The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Socioloxy

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.

The Department of Communication Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Antwerp is seeking talented and motivated post-doctoral candidates willing to write research proposals for competitive funding schemes on the topic of Generative Artificial Intelligence and Mental Well-Being in Adolescents and Young Adults within the research group Media & ICT in Organisations & Society (MIOS).

MIOS is dedicated to the scientific study of individuals’ uses of media and digital technologies in interpersonal relations and in interaction with organizations, to gain insight into computer-mediated communication, its applications and effects, and to pursue evidence-based communication strategies, instruments and policy. MIOS is particularly interested to receive job applications and grant ideas from post-doctoral candidates working in the topic of Natural Language Processing and/or Natural Language Generation and Multi-Modal Artificial Intelligence and who have expertise on the topic of mental well-being.

External and internal post-doc researchers who are eligible to submit an FWO or MSCA post-doc application are invited to apply. Note that if your profile does not allow you to submit (one of) these applications, we will not be able to take your application into consideration.

The top ranked candidate(s) with the best profile (project proposal & CV) acquire a preparatory post-doctoral research mandate to further develop and submit a competitive research proposal to FWO (Flemish Science Foundation) or MSCA (Horizon Europe Marie Curie fellowships), with the University of Antwerp as host institution. A preparatory full-time or part-time mandate of at least 6 months (up to a maximum of 12 months) will be provided.

Profile

You hold a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Communication Science, Clinical Psychology or related fields (or you will have obtained it by the time you start the post-doctoral position).
You have a demonstrable interest in (mental) health applications and generative AI.
You have a strong curiosity about how AI can be used for the societal benefits.
You are comfortable in doing research in multidisciplinary teams.
Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
You can speak and write fluently in English. Knowledge of Dutch language is preferable.
You comply with the FWO Post Doc and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Post-doc eligibility criteria.

What we offer

The preferred start date is January 1^st 2026.
Appointments are made in one of the following two categories, depending on your profile:
Postdoctoral scholarship holder:
- Note: in order to be eligible in this statute, you must have spent at least 12 months of the three years prior to the start date as a postdoctoral scholarship holder abroad and did not work or study in Belgium during these 12 months. Short-term stays (e.g. holidays, participation in conferences, preparation for this stay as a postdoctoral scholarship holder) will not be taken into account.
- We offer an appointment for a period of at least 6 months.
- Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for postdoctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
- You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
Postdoctoral researcher (contractual)You will do most of your work at city campus in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
- We offer a full-time appointment for a period of 6 months, or its part-time equivalent (e.g. 12 months 0.5 FTE appointment).
- Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scale for a principal research fellow in the Contract Research Staff category (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
- You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, a group insurance, an income protection insurance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including September 1^st, 2025. Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following three attachments: we will not be able to consider applications that do not have all of these attachments.

a motivation letter
your academic CV
a brief (2-3 pages, 1500-2500 words) project proposal on generative AI and mental wellbeing in adolescents and young adults that will form the basis of your grant application(s). This proposal should contain (1) the scientific novelty of the idea and (2) an outline of the methodological approach.

The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure. Interviews with selected candidates will take place (online) late September, early October.
If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Dr. Gert-Jan de Bruijn (gert-jan.debruijn@uantwerpen.be, limited availability July 21^st- August 18^th)

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Socioloxy

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