The research project TANKIES (PI: Gavin Mueller) is hiring a part-time student assistant to conduct empirical investigations into digital political subcultures on social media platforms (eg Twitter, YouTube, TikTok) to better understand the impact of new media on political beliefs and historical understanding.
This is what you will be doing
- You will be using digital methods (eg. TCAT, Zeeschuimer, YouTube Data Tools) to explore how followers of far-left anticapitalist views are creating content, forming organizations, and spreading political messages through new media content genres (memes, short-form video, podcasts, conspiracy theories).
- You will produce data visualizations, map issue networks, and provide general “lay of the land” of the digital political subculture of anti-imperialist Marxism-Leninism, sometimes called “tankies.”
- Along with the PI, you will develop theoretical approaches to how politics and digital culture blend in digital environments through brainstorming, discussion, and potentially through original writing.
- We will meet every one or two weeks.
This is what we ask of you
- You are organized and a good communicator in English.
- You understand how to use Digital Methods tools provided as part of the UvA Digital Methods Initiative to produce empirical research.
- You possess an up-to-date knowledge of new media content genres on social media (eg. memes, viral content,
- You are fluent in the functioning of popular social media platforms (eg. YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Reddit, Facebook), as well as more niche/underground spaces (eg. 4chan, Discord, Rumble)
- You have exposure to theories and methods of research on new media and digital culture.
- You are creative, with the initiative to make your own connections and follow your own hunches about where investigations might lead.
- Knowledge of far-left anticapitalist political content online (eg. Chapo Trap House, Jacobin Magazine, anticapitalist influencers and journalists) a plus;
- Knowledge of Marxist theory, histories of socialism/communism a plus
- Knowledge of communist/anti-imperialist/Marxist-Leninist theory/history/organization a big plus!
This is what else we offer you
We will work closely on producing academic work: papers, presentations, and eventually a book project. Other possibilities include organizing symposia, guest lectures, and presenting at conferences.
We aim for a preferred starting date of March 15th, 2026. The contract will be for a period of 12 months.
This is where you'll be working
You will be working on a project by a researcher in the Department of Media Studies at the University of Amsterdam, the top-ranked media studies department in the world. While working under dr. Mueller, you will be part of a large, dynamic network of researchers and educators in the New Media team, including designers of digital methods tools, that produces cutting-edge research on issues central to digital society and culture. The environment is international, interdisciplinary, collegial, creative, and highly collaborative.
Are you a graduate student (MA/rMA/PhD) with digital methods skills looking to gain experience working on grant-funded academic research on the internet and politics? We are looking for a student assistant for the research project TANKIES.
This is what you will be doing
- You will be using digital methods (eg. TCAT, Zeeschuimer, YouTube Data Tools) to explore how followers of far-left anticapitalist views are creating content, forming organizations, and spreading political messages through new media content genres (memes, short-form video, podcasts, conspiracy theories).
- You will produce data visualizations, map issue networks, and provide general “lay of the land” of the digital political subculture of anti-imperialist Marxism-Leninism, sometimes called “tankies.”
- Along with the PI, you will develop theoretical approaches to how politics and digital culture blend in digital environments through brainstorming, discussion, and potentially through original writing.
- We will meet every one or two weeks.
This is what we ask of you
- You are organized and a good communicator in English.
- You understand how to use Digital Methods tools provided as part of the UvA Digital Methods Initiative to produce empirical research.
- You possess an up-to-date knowledge of new media content genres on social media (eg. memes, viral content,
- You are fluent in the functioning of popular social media platforms (eg. YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Reddit, Facebook), as well as more niche/underground spaces (eg. 4chan, Discord, Rumble)
- You have exposure to theories and methods of research on new media and digital culture.
- You are creative, with the initiative to make your own connections and follow your own hunches about where investigations might lead.
- Knowledge of far-left anticapitalist political content online (eg. Chapo Trap House, Jacobin Magazine, anticapitalist influencers and journalists) a plus;
- Knowledge of Marxist theory, histories of socialism/communism a plus
- Knowledge of communist/anti-imperialist/Marxist-Leninist theory/history/organization a big plus!
This is what else we offer you
We will work closely on producing academic work: papers, presentations, and eventually a book project. Other possibilities include organizing symposia, guest lectures, and presenting at conferences.
We aim for a preferred starting date of March 15th, 2026. The contract will be for a period of 12 months.
This is where you'll be working
You will be working on a project by a researcher in the Department of Media Studies at the University of Amsterdam, the top-ranked media studies department in the world. While working under dr. Mueller, you will be part of a large, dynamic network of researchers and educators in the New Media team, including designers of digital methods tools, that produces cutting-edge research on issues central to digital society and culture. The environment is international, interdisciplinary, collegial, creative, and highly collaborative.
Your application & contact
Questions?
For questions about the position or department, you can contact us during office hours at:
Gavin Mueller
Assistant Professor of New Media & Digital Culture
Application
If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application. Please send your cover letter and CV as a single PDF file.
The vacancy closes on 13-2-2026. The interviews will take place on 18-02-2026.
