PhD in Audience experience and mobile media use in live music

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the University of Groningen for a fully-funded PhD research project exploring the relationship between audience experience, spatial positioning, and digital engagement at live music events. This interdisciplinary project sits at the crossroads of sociology, media studies, digital anthropology, and urban geography, offering the opportunity to investigate how physical and digital spaces interact in shaping live event experiences.

The PhD Project

Live music events are multi-sensory experiences shaped not only by sound and performance but also by the spatial dynamics of the venue. Audience members may engage and experience an event differently depending on their positioning within the space —whether in the front row, near the bar, or in the mosh pit—, which may also influence how they use mobile phones to document, communicate, and emotionally navigate the experience. This project will explore how spatial positioning and audience movement shape engagement, emotions, and digital interaction in live music settings.

Under the joint supervision of Dr Beate Peter and Dr Femke Vandenberg (Department of Arts, Culture and Media), the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop their own research focus within the broader theme of the project. Potential areas of inquiry may include (but are not limited to):

• The relationship between spatial positioning and audience experience
• Digital media use as a form of engagement, documentation, or emotional regulation
• Social demographics and variations in audience behavior across different venue spaces
• The intersection of physical and digital space in shaping collective or individual experiences
• Audience movement within the venue using methods of geo-tracking or spatial mapping
• Feelings of safety, comfort, and social dynamics in different spatial settings and their impact on participation and media use

A mixed-method approach is encouraged, and candidates may propose methodological strategies that align with their research interests, such as ethnographic fieldwork, digital media analysis, interviews, surveys, or spatial mapping techniques.

You will be asked to:

• Conduct original research on audience experience in live music events
• Develop and apply mixed-method approaches, such as spatial mapping, qualitative interviews, and media analysis
• Collect and analyze data on audience movement and mobile phone use in different spatial settings
• Present findings at academic conferences and contribute to peer-reviewed publications
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers and engage with relevant creative industry stakeholders
• Participate in departmental activities, including seminars and team meetings
• Represent the The Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG) both internally and externally through talks, networking and participation in relevant workshops
• Complete the PhD in the specified timeframe (4 years)
• Teach in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year

Organisation

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 27,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study- and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international centre of knowledge: It belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.

The Faculty of Arts is a large, dynamic faculty in the heart of the city of Groningen. It has more than 5000 students and 700 staff members, who are working at the frontiers of knowledge every day. The Faculty offers a wide range of degree programmes: 15 Bachelor's programmes and over 35 Master's specialisations. Our research, which is internationally widely acclaimed, covers Archaeology, Cultural Studies, History, International Relations, Language and Literary Studies, Linguistics and Media and Journalism Studies.

Qualifications

• A (Research) Master’s degree in Sociology, Media Studies, Digital Anthropology, Urban Geography, or a related field
• Excellent academic writing skills in English
• Strong qualitative and/or quantitative research skills, with experience in ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, or digital media analysis
• Interest in audience studies, digital engagement, and the sociology of live music events
• Experience with or willingness to learn geotracking methods and digital research tools
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment

Organisation

Conditions of employment

In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, the University of Groningen offers you:

• A salary of € 2,901 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,707 gross per month in the final year, based on a full-time position
• A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income
• An 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance
• A temporary 1.0 FTE appointment for a specified period of four years. The candidate will first be appointed for twelve months. After six months, an assessment will take place of the candidate’s results and the progress of the PhD project, in order to decide whether employment will be continued.
• The PhD candidate is expected to conduct a total of 0.4 fte teaching spread over the second, third and fourth year of their appointment.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Willingness to move and reside in the Netherlands.

The appointment will commence on 1 October 2025 at the very latest. We allow 3 months from selection in case of VISA applications.