PhD Fellow "Varieties and Determinants of Absorption in Narrative Film" (Amsterdam)

PhD Fellow sought for project Varieties and Determinants of
Absorption in Narrative Film (4 yrs, ASCoR, University of Amsterdam,
the Netherlands)

Film viewers typically exhibit high degrees of absorption or
immersion in the film's story world including events and characters.
As yet there is no satisfactory definition of what state of mind
absorption in film viewing exactly is and what factors account for
it. The project aims at obtaining an understanding of the
experiential states involved and their determinants with an emphasis
on stimulus factors. To this end firstly questionnaires for a variety
of absorption-like states will be validated. Validation will involve
a comparison with real time measures of cognitive and emotional
processing. Secondly a set of experiments will be carried out in
which brief test films have been manipulated on the basis of
available theories of (literary and filmic) narrative procedures or
styles and their effects on (reader and viewer) comprehension and
experiences. The experimental materials will be manufactured in close
collaboration with film and story authors. The project is of a highly
interdisciplinary nature. Therefore the successful candidate will
need to couple knowledge of filmtheory or cognitive models of
narrative media processing with some experience in psychological on- line
experimentation (or a demonstrable interest in this
methodology). Experience with experiments and multivariate
statistical computing is mandatory. Affinity with manufacturing or
editing video films is a recommendation.

Candidates should hold a relevant Master's degree, preferably a
Research Master Degree or equivalent qualifications. Candidates who
are due to finish their Master's thesis before November 1st 2010 are
welcome to apply. The elected candidate will be employed as a PhD
candidate researcher. The salary is sifficient for living in
Amsterdam and tuition fees.

The PhD trajectory is part of a larger comparative project aiming at
establishing forms of absorption in reading and film viewing and
their relations with aesthetic responses to literature and film. The
larger project is a cooperative endeavour between Utrecht
University's Institute for Research in History and Culture (OGC - dr.
Frank Hakemulder, project leader) and the University of Amsterdam's
Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR- prof. Ed S. Tan).
The candidate will be stationed in Amsterdam and be a member of the
ASCoR research community.

Appointment
The position starts on 1 November 2010 at the latest, and is
initially for one year. Extension of the contract after the first
year to a maximum total of four years is subject to satisfactory
performance. The gross monthly salary will be in accordance with the
salary scales for PhD candidates at Dutch universities, i.e., ranging
from EUR 2,042 in the first year to EUR 2,612 in the final year.

Additional information
http://www.uva.nl/vacatures/vacatures.cfm/0DCF3D9F-F5F0-404C- B095AF2278164434
<https://webmail.uva.nl/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?
URL=http://www.uva.nl/vacatures/vacatures.cfm/0DCF3D9F-F5F0-404C- B095AF2278164434>

The project description may be obtained from the ASCoR Secretariat by
e-mail: ascor-secr-fmg A uva.nl

Additional information on the position: m.e.prangsma AT uva.nl

On the project: e.s.h.tan AT uva.nl

If you are not interested yourself but know of any candidate who
might be, please pass this announcement on to him or her.

Applications
The deadline for applications is 12 September 2010. State the vacancy
number 2010-11 in the subject line of your application. To apply for
this position, please send at least the following documents in
English by e-mail to: ascor-secr-fmg AT uva.nl

*       Motivation letter
*       Curriculum vitae
*       Proof of your Master's degree, including grade transcripts. If you
have not completed your degree at the time of application, please
provide a statement from your supervisor confirming the expected date
of completion of your degree.
*       An academic writing sample in English (e.g., journal article,
Master's thesis, essay).

Please send all your documents in PDF or doc(x) format. Only complete
applications will be considered. If you cannot send your application
by e-mail, please contact Ms. dr. Maaike Prangsma by e-mail before
sending m.e.prangsma AT uva.nl