‘Varieties and determinants of absorption in narrative film'

Film viewers typically exhibit high degrees of absorption 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 on-line measures of cognitive and emotional processing. Secondly a set of experiments will be carried out in which test films have been manipulated on the basis of available theories of (literary and filmic) narrative styles and procedures and their effects on (reader and viewer) experiences. The experimental materials will be manufactured in collaboration with film and story authors.

The project is of a highly interdisciplinary nature. Therefore the successful candidate will need to couple knowledge of film and literary theory (or a demonstrable interest in such and comparable theories, including cognitive psychological models of media content processing and linguistic discourse processing) with some experience in psychological on-line experimentation (or a demonstrable interest in this methodology).

This PhD project is part of a larger comparative project aimed 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 endeavor between Utrecht University's Institute for Research in History and Culture (OGC) and the University of Amsterdam's Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR). The project is sponsored by NWO.

The ASCoR PhD project will be supervised by Professor Ed Tan (ASCoR) and Professor Frank Kessler (Utrecht University).

Requirements

• Have a research interest in the topic of the project, experience with research in models of narrative media content and processing is desirable.
• Wish to pursue an academic career in an interdisciplinary field.
• Have a firm background in quantitative research and the willingness to learn new statistical techniques.
• Have a background in communication science, cognitive science, cognitive film studies or a related scientific field.
• Have proven experience with experimental research, for example in the Master's thesis. Experience with online experimentation and measurement is an advantage.
• Have excellent organizational skills.
• Have the ability and interest to work in a team.
• Have an excellent written and spoken command of English.
• Have a basic command of Dutch or willing to acquire it. International candidates are welcome to apply.
• Hold a relevant Master's degree, preferably a Research Master's degree or equivalent qualifications. Candidates who are due to finish their Master's thesis before November 1st are welcome to apply.

Further information

A detailed project description can be obtained from the ASCoR Secretariat by email: ascor-secr-fmg@uva.nl

Questions about the project content or about the application procedure should be addressed to the ASCoR Research Manager, Dr Maaike Prangsma, m.e.prangsma@uva.nl. If necessary, she will forward your questions to one of the researchers.

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 three years is subject to satisfactory performance. The gross monthly salary will be in accordance with the salary scale for PhD candidates at Dutch universities, i.e. ranging from €2,042 in the first year to €2,612 in the final year.

Job application

The deadline for applications is 12 September 2010. Please state the vacancy number 2010-11 in the subject line of your application. The selection interviews will be scheduled in the week of 20 or 27 September. To apply for this position, please send at least the following documents in English by email to ascor-secr-fmg@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.