Assistant Professor in Global Media Histories

In the context of the sector plan for the Humanities titled Language and Culture, the faculty currently has a vacant Assistant Professor position with a specialization in Global Media Histories supported by an interest in storytelling and/or multilingualism.

What are you going to do?

You will provide education in a dynamic context with ample opportunities for the development of innovative teaching methods. Your research will be part of the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies (ASH), one of the five research schools of the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR). You will also be expected to participate in a faculty-wide interdisciplinary team focused on strengthening the position of language and culture in the Faculty of Humanities.

As an Assistant Professor in Global Media Histories, you will contribute to the relevant BA and MA programmes in the Media Studies Department with your research and teaching expertise in global media histories as well as your strong grounding in postcolonial/decolonial approaches, preferably extending to the contemporary legacy of colonial media histories. Further research interests in the practices of storytelling through audio-visual language and/or multilingualism connect this position to cross-faculty research on the theme of Language and Culture. A research focus on African, South Asian or South American contexts is especially welcome.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• designing and conducting independent research on global media histories from a decolonial, multilingual and/or storytelling perspective, resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals and/or books;
• actively pursuing external funding for research, notably funding from research councils, national as well as European;
• actively contributing to and developing national and international research networks and other forms of cooperation;
• actively contributing to the research activities of ASH, in particular to one of its research groups such as Modern History; Kazan, Cairo, Cordoba; Digital History; and/or contributing to new initiatives on colonial/decolonial histories;
• actively contributing with your research to the faculty-wide interdisciplinary team in Language and Culture;
• developing, coordinating and teaching courses in both Dutch and English, in the Bachelor and Master programmes;
• supervising Bachelor and Master theses and tutoring students; co-supervising PhD theses;
• actively contributing to the development and improvement of the broader teaching programmes in the department;
• taking part in committees and working groups, and carrying out departmental administrative tasks as directed.

We welcome candidates with a diverse ethnic and/or linguistic background.

What do you have to offer?

You are a dynamic and ambitious researcher with a strong profile, demonstrable by international publications and an international academic network. Your publications show broad knowledge of the history of film and media studies; expertise in the history, language and culture of a particular area of global media; and a strong affinity with postcolonial and/or decolonial approaches to film and media studies. Your research matches the profile of the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies.

You are an experienced teacher and are able to develop and provide courses within the curriculum of the Media Studies Department. Proven flexibility in teaching on topics beyond your own research focus is important, as is a willingness to work in interdisciplinary teams of teachers and the ability to offer inspiring lectures and tutorials in the BA, MA and minor programmes that connect to a wide range of students.

Your experience and profile:

Candidates need to have the following qualifications:

• a PhD in media studies, media history or a related field with a relevant research focus;
• an international academic network in the research area concerned;
• research output commensurate with the level of the position;
• be an active and ambitious researcher with a strong publication record;
• demonstrable ability and ambition to obtain external research grants;
• have broad and relevant teaching experience at BA and MA level;
• have experience with digital and audio-visual teaching facilities and affinity with IT in university teaching;
• be experienced in valorisation and practice-based education and/or research;
• be a good team player and versatile at all levels, capable of multidisciplinary co-operation;
• have excellent organisational experience and skills;
• be in possession of a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). If you have not attained a UTQ you are required to start with the UTQ track upon commencement of your employment contract and obtain the certificate within three years of employment;
• have good command of Dutch and English. If you do not speak Dutch, an active and passive command must be acquired within the first two years of the employment contract and the state examination for Dutch as a Second Language programme II must be passed.

Knowledge, skills and experiences which are a plus (pre) are mentioned separately from the above summary in a sentence.

What can we offer you?

We offer permanent employment upon a satisfactory evaluation following a temporary employment contract of a maximum of 18 months with a probationary period of two months. If you already have an employment contract with the UvA, we offer permanent employment upon a satisfactory evaluation following a temporary employment contract of a maximum of 12 months. The employment is for 38 hours per week. The preferred starting date is 01 September 2024.

Your salary, depending on relevant experience on commencement of the employment contract, ranges between € 4332 (scale 11) to € 6737 (scale 12) gross per month on the basis of a full working week of 38 hours. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8,3% year-end allowance. Favourable tax agreements may apply to applicants moving from abroad. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

What else do we offer?

• the opportunity to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams;
• excellent opportunities for study and personal development;
• attaining the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ);
• the opportunity to participate in the Dutch as a Second Language programme II;
• a position in which taking initiative and providing input are greatly appreciated;
• an inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
• an enthusiastic, inspiring and professional academic team.

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in de field of language and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutes in the capital city. Research and teaching staff focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and are active in several teaching programmes.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the position or the department, please contact during office hours:

• Misha Kavka
• m.kavka@uva.nl

Job Application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the link below. We will accept applications until enter date.

Your application should include the following information:

• a letter and detailed CV;

• a list of publications;
• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.

Please submit the required information in 1 pdf by uploading in the required field ‘CV’.

The first round of interviews will be held in the course of enter date or time frame. A trial lecture may be part of the application process.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please.