PhD in Media Psychology with a focus on AI chatbot use and social relationships
Date: Jul 1, 2026
Location: Missionsstrasse 60/62 | 4055 Basel | Switzerland, CH
Company: Universität Basel
Preferred starting date is October 1, 2026.
The Faculty of Psychology is one of seven faculties of the oldest university in Switzerland. With our core focus on Society & Choice and Health & Interventions, we are successful both nationally and internationally in our research and study programs.
The Center of Digital Lives researches the everyday digital life from a psychological perspective and investigates how digital media use in everyday life (e.g. via smartphones, social media, AI-based chatbots) changes well-being and social relationships. The center strives to map and research the complexity of everyday digital life and has an interdisciplinary focus. We research media use and its effects in the family context and digital media use for coping with stress.
The specific PhD project focuses on the impact of AI chatbot use (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude) on users’ social relationships and well-being among different populations. It will explore questions such as whether individuals who use AI chatbots for social aims will start interacting less with their friends and family or whether certain uses of AI chatbots can improve social or emotional competence, thereby improving social relationships for some users. The first part of the PhD project is embedded in a 1.5-year collaborative project with the Hochschule Karlsruhe and the University of Zürich and explores the risks and opportunities of AI chatbot use for the well-being and the social relationships of their users in the Swiss context. The successful candidate will lead the data collection of a two-wave panel study with the general population in Switzerland. The PhD project will then be extended by internal funds or by funding through a project grant to examine the use and impact of AI technologies among vulnerable populations with a particular focus on mothers in the postpartum period in an international context (India, Switzerland).
Your Tasks
- Coordinate and manage the two-wave panel study of the collaborative project
- Collaborate with the project partners in Karlsruhe and Zürich to write project reports
- Conceptualize, design, conduct, and analyze research studies with a focus on vulnerable populations who use AI chatbots for their social support and coping needs in times of stress
- Document and present research findings in English and German in the form of publications and presentations
- Contribute to teaching activities (e.g., seminars, tutorials, examinations)
- Supervise students (e.g., bachelor’s and master’s theses)
- Contribute to organizational tasks within the Center of Digital Lives
- We value close collaboration within the research group and therefore expect regular on-site presence, typically several days per week
Your Profile
- You have a very good master degree in Psychology, Communication Science, or a closely-related discipline.
- You are interested in digital media use and media effects in everyday life and are enthusiastic about investigating the impact AI chatbots have on social relationships and user well-being among different populations.
- You have excellent knowledge of research methods and statistics and are interested in learning new methods and statistical approaches; experience in working with longitudinal designs is a plus.
- You can analyze datasets using R or are willing to learn R quickly.
- You are proficient in English and German, including the ability to develop research materials in German, write academic papers in English, and teach in at least one of the two languages. Knowledge in French, Telugu or another Indian language are an asset.
- You are organized, proactive and able to work independently and reliably.
We offer you...
- Joining a new and dynamic team and working on highly topical issues
- Involvement in the research group’s projects as well as national and international collaboration opportunities
- Participation in an active doctoral program in the research area Society & Choice, with opportunities to attend courses, seminars, and guest lectures
- Employment conditions according to university guidelines for doctoral candidates
- The position is initially limited to 1 year. Upon positive evaluation, the position will be extended for an additional 2 years. A fourth year depends on funding availability.
- Basel is situated in Switzerland, at the borders to France and Germany. It's a vibrant and welcoming city, and an excellent place to live and work. Quality of life, health care, and public transportation meet the highest standards
- The University of Basel stands for excellence through diversity and is committed to equal opportunities and family-friendliness.
Application/Contact
Please submit in addition to your CV *one single* PDF file with the applicant's name as the file name via the online portal (applications through other channels will not be considered). This file should consist of
- A 1-1.5-page cover letter describing your research interests and fit to the position
- Relevant certificates
- If possible, the contact details of one expert in the field that you have worked with
- One scientific contribution you authored (e.g., extended abstract of or your entire qualification thesis; a manuscript; a journal article).
Applications should be submitted not later than July 20. A first round of online interviews will take place during the week of July 27 - July 31. Second-round in-person interviews will take place on August 19 or 20 in Basel.
Please do not hesitate to send us an email for further inquiries. For questions related to tasks and the job profile please contact Prof. Dr. Lara Wolfers at lara.wolfers@unibas.ch. For questions about the application process please contact hr-psychologie@unibas.ch. We are looking forward to receiving your application!