Interdisciplinary PhD position Young Academy Groningen 2026: Putting the Gay in Gaming: How Queer Youth Navigate identity Development Online
Apply nowInterdisciplinary PhD position Young Academy Groningen 2026: Putting the Gay in Gaming: How Queer Youth Navigate identity Development Online
Project 2: Putting the Gay in Gaming: How Queer Youth Navigate Identity Development in Online Gaymer Communities
In developing an understanding of who they are, young people draw on cultural expectations and narratives for who they could (or should be) while engaging with others in their social environments. Increasingly, this process is taking place in online spaces – in which youth engage with (and create) digital content, interact, and play games. Especially for queer youth, whose gender and sexual identities often transgress the norms of their offline contexts, online gaming provides important safe spaces for finding an accepting community and exploring their identities; for example, by taking on different types of (gendered) characters and bodies. However, because gamer culture is itself often tied to heteronormative ideals of masculinity (i.e. the idea that games are ‘for’ straight men), queer players might experience friction and even harm, often leading to the formation of subcommunities of “gaymers,” (or LGBTQIA+ gamers) in which they feel more included and safe. Yet even within these communities, traditional cultural narratives about gender and sexuality may be inadvertently reproduced, excluding transgender and gender-fluid youth. The overarching aim of this project is to build on earlier work (e.g., Turkle, 1995; Shaw, 2012) through an interdisciplinary investigation of how young queer people make meaning of and negotiate identities and cultural expectations within the context of online gaming (through chatting, playing and watching).
Interdisciplinary PhD position Young Academy Groningen 2026: Putting the Gay in Gaming: How Queer Youth Navigate identity Development Online
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What are you going to do?
The PhD candidate involved in this project will engage in a multi-phase research process at the intersection of discursive developmental psychology and game studies, drawing on different qualitative research approaches: including analyses of interviews, micro-analysis of (online gaming) interactions, participant-observation and/or discourse analysis. The project is located both within the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Because the project brings together theories, perspectives and practices from discursive developmental psychology and media studies, we explicitly invite candidates who are open to the challenge of navigating different disciplines,and shaping their own project within this interdisciplinary context. As a team we value open and clear communication and prioritize well-being and support.
Who are you?
The ideal candidate is expected to:
- Have a (Research) Master’s degree in the following (or related) fields: psychology, (critical) media studies, gender studies, sociology, anthropology, or socio-linguistics.
- Applications without a finished master’s degree must be accompanied by a strong letter of support from the supervisor stating that the thesis will be completed satisfactorily, and when.
- Have a good academic track record.
- Be enthusiastic about writing international publications and a dissertation.
- A demonstrably excellent written and spoken command of English; knowledge of Dutch is not required.
- Have experience with (or affinity for) qualitative research methods: particularly interviewing, thematic or narrative analysis, micro-analysis or conversation analysis, (critical) discourse analysis or ethnography.
- Have an interest in online gaming, LGBTQIA+ issues, digital media cultures, and youth development.
- Have demonstrable competences in conceptual capacity, presenting, planning and organizing and monitoring.
- Have good organizational skills and the motivation to organize and realize data collection.
- Be committed to working autonomously in an interdisciplinary team setting.
What can you expect from us?
- In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.059 up to a maximum of € 3.881 (promovendus) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
- 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
- End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
- Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
- The successful candidate will initially be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year indicating that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected.
Where will you be working?
At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.
The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (GMW) excels in research and teaching in the areas of behaviour, thinking, learning, and participation in society. More than 4,500 students and approximately 650 staff address social questions and challenges that people experience in daily life. Our core focus is on individual and societal resilience and how to strengthen it. We focus on current themes such as health and wellbeing, sustainable living, learning and development, inclusive society, safe and healthy upbringing, and work and collaboration. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, visit rug.nl/gmw.
The prospective PhD candidate will be embedded in two faculties of the University of Groningen. The PhD student will be connected to the graduate school of the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences. This faculty excels in teaching and research in the fields of human behaviour, thinking, learning, and how people live together. We address societal issues and problems that people experience in daily life. The focus of our approach is on individual and societal resilience and how to improve this. Important topics are migration, the environment and climate, health, upbringing and education, the protection of vulnerable minorities, and sustainable partnerships. The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences employs over 650 staff members. For more information about the Faculty please check the link https://www.rug.nl/gmw/ . The PhD student will also be (informally) embedded in the University College Groningen. Founded in 2014 as a selective, independent Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty within the University of Groningen, University College Groningen offers a Liberal Arts and Sciences programme and a multidisciplinary working environment.
Supervisors:
Dr. Ole Gmelin, j.h.gmelin@rug.nl (YAG, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Assistant Professor in Theory and History of Psychology)
Dr. Lars de Wildt, lars.de.wildt@rug.nl (YAG, Faculty of Arts, Assistant Professor in Media, Cultural Industries & Society)
Prof. dr. Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff, a.lichtwarck-aschoff@rug.nl (Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Professor of Ortho, Gedrag, Opvoeding en Kinderrechten)
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Application procedure
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.
The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview.
We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.
We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.
After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!
Interested?
Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway.
Please add the following documents to your application:
- A brief letter of motivation (max. 1 page).
- An outline of max. 1000 words with your own research proposal in the wider frame of this project.
- A CV, including contact details of two academic referees.
- A scan of your diploma including transcripts and a copy of your MA thesis.
Do you have any questions or need more information?
-
Questions about the content of the job?
Ole Gmelin
Assistant Professor
J.H.Gmelin@rug.nl -
Questions about your application process?
Lars de Wildt
Assistant Professor
lars.de.wildt@rug.nl
Information about applying
When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible.
The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy.
Acquisition is not appreciated.
Onze selectieprocedure volgt de richtlijnen van de NVP Sollicitatiecode
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