Position Overview

The MIDI Research Group (Multimodality, Interaction & Discourse) at KU Leuven is seeking a highly motivated candidate for a PhD position to investigate the role of linguistic content in shaping emotional responses to online consumer feedback. This project, funded by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO), aims to explore the spread of emotions ("emotional contagion") in online reviews and its impact on consumer perceptions.

The PhD researcher will be supervised by Prof. Nicolas Ruytenbeek, Assistant Professor in Digital and Multilingual Communication, and will be based at the Sint-Jacob campus in Antwerp. This four-year position offers a unique opportunity to bridge experimental pragmatics with business communication studies in a dynamic research environment.

Project Description

Online reviews significantly influence consumer perceptions and decision-making. Emotions expressed in these reviews can spread to readers, shaping their responses to products or services. While previous research has documented speech acts and discourse strategies in online reviews, the effects of linguistic content on emotional contagion remain underexplored.

This project will fill that gap by:

1. Documenting components of online reviews and their (para-)linguistic realizations.
2. Investigating how different combinations of review components influence:
   • Readers’ identification of the emotions expressed in reviews.
   • Readers’ emotional responses to reviews.

The research will employ a mixed-method approach, including corpus analysis, questionnaires, and psychophysiological experiments. This innovative study seeks to systematically analyze the perlocutionary effects of linguistic choices in consumer reviews, contributing to both experimental pragmatics and business communication.

Eligibility Requirements

We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:

• Educational Background:
  • Master’s degree in Applied/Experimental Linguistics, Psycholinguistics, Psychology, Cognitive Science, or related fields.
• Technical Skills:
  • Experience in experimental design and statistical analysis is highly desirable.
  • Background in pragmatics, discourse analysis, or business communication is a plus.
• Language Proficiency:
  • Proficiency in English is essential (written and spoken).
  • Dutch proficiency is highly desirable as the research involves Dutch-speaking participants.
• Personal Attributes:
  • Creativity and a collaborative mindset.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

As a PhD researcher, your responsibilities will include:

1. Research and Analysis:
   • Conduct corpus analyses of online reviews.
   • Design and implement experiments to study emotional contagion and linguistic effects.
   • Analyze data using statistical and psychophysiological methods.
2. Collaboration and Communication:
   • Work closely with other researchers in the MIDI group and related disciplines.
   • Present findings in peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and lab sessions.
3. Teaching and Mentorship:
   • Contribute to teaching and seminar activities as part of the doctoral training requirements.
4. Engagement and Dissemination:
   • Actively participate in MIDI lab sessions and academic discussions.
   • Communicate research progress to academic and non-academic audiences.

What We Offer

At KU Leuven, you will benefit from:

• Professional Development:
  • Structured support for your doctoral journey, including feedback and mentorship.
  • Opportunities to present research at international conferences and collaborate with leading academics.
• Vibrant Research Environment:
  • Join a dynamic team of senior and junior researchers in the MIDI research group.
  • Access to cutting-edge resources and methodologies for experimental linguistics.
• Employment Benefits:
  • A one-year contract, renewable for three years upon positive evaluation.
  • Salary in line with KU Leuven’s PhD salary scales.
  • Opportunities to engage with a diverse, inclusive, and international academic community.

Application Process

Deadline: Submit your application by 20 January 2025.

Required Documents:

1. Motivation Letter: Explain your interest in the position and how your background aligns with the project. (Max 2 pages)
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include academic achievements and contact details of two referees. (Max 2 pages)
3. Sample Work: Up to three publications, including BA/MA dissertations.
4. Transcripts: Provide transcripts of your Master’s degree marks.

Selection Process:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews, which will take place in February at the KU Leuven Sint-Jacob campus in Antwerp.