Assistant Professor in Youth & Media Entertainment

The Department of Communication Science invites applications for an Assistant Professor position in Youth & Media Entertainment, preferably starting in September 2024. Within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Communication Science offers a Bachelor's and several Master’s degree programmes, while its research is carried out at the Amsterdam School of Communication Research.  Teaching in our Communication Science programmes is interdisciplinary and internationally oriented, offering tracks taught in both English and Dutch. As an assistant professor, you will be part of the program group of Youth & Media Entertainment (chaired by prof. dr. Jochen Peter). This program group consists of more than 30 junior and senior scholars, who investigate the uses and effects of media and technologies among different age groups, ranging from early childhood to late adulthood. Teaching and research will cover different methodologies, varying from (longitudinal) surveys, experiments, manual or automated content analyses to experience sampling studies. 

Teaching and research of the assistant professor takes a media psychological approach to explain how individual and other differences influence media preferences, media responses, and media effects. Media is conceptualized broadly and includes a strong focus on digital media and emerging communication technology.

Our bachelor track includes courses such as the domain-module “Entertainment Communication” and special topic courses such as “Always Connected: Key Insights in Youth, Media & Technology” while the Master track includes courses such as “Developing Media Entertainment”, “Clashing Views on Media Effects”, and “Extending Reality: Design and Applications of Immersive Media ”. Teaching varies between large scale lectures (300+ students) to smaller tutorial sessions (ca. 25 students).

What are you going to do
 

You wil

• teach regular courses in the Communication Science Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs, including (introductory) communication science courses and substantive theoretical and statistical/methodological coursework in general and/or Entertainment Communication courses in particular, depending on educational demand;
• supervise and evaluate Bachelor theses, Master theses and internships;
• conduct research within the group Youth & Media Entertainment of the ASCoR research program;
• be active in grant acquisition and collaborate with stakeholders;
• seek (knowledge) exchange and (research) cooperation with professionals in your research area;
• make a positive contribution to the organization and cooperation within your program group Youth & Media Entertainment and the department.

What do we require of you

The job profile is UD (universitair docent), based on the university job ranking system.

You act with attention to quality, integrity and creativity, and:

• have a PhD in communication science or a related discipline;
• have an interest in topics associated with the digital society, digital entertainment and/or (emerging) communication technologies (or a related field), and the implications of these topics for young audiences;
• have a broad knowledge of communication science as proven by previous academic activities and publications in international peer-reviewed journals; having publications in (top)-communication journals is a plus;
• have a strong empirical-analytical research profile that fits in, and ideally extends, the Youth & Media Entertainment research program; experience with research on emerging communication technologies and/or computational methods is a plus;
• have the ability to carry out your own research independently and successfully;
• have the qualities and plans to apply for competitive grants; demonstrated grant-writing experience is a plus;
• adhere to the principles of Open Science;
• have demonstrable academic teaching experience, specifically experience in general Communication Science courses as well as courses specific to the domain of Entertainment Communication (taught in the Bachelor and the Master);
• have experience and/or willingness to teach methods courses about (a variety of) quantitative research methods commonly employed in communication science;
• have the ability to take care of teaching components independently, including coordination tasks;
• have a university teaching qualification (BKO) or are willing to obtain one;
• are able to identify opportunities for improvement in research and teaching and take responsibility for allocated units of study or teaching;
• are capable of providing a stimulating teaching and research environment and are a good team worker;
• have proficiency in English and Dutch or a firm commitment to learn Dutch within two years;
• have the willingness to engage in departmental or University committee-based work;
• have the qualities and plans to contribute to relevant social or scientific impact activities.
• have good communication, social, and organizational skills.

Our offer
 

We offer a temporary full-time or part-time contract for the period of 1,5 year.

For internal candidates the contract will be for the period of 1 year.

The preferred starting date is September 1, 2024. Contingent upon positive evaluation and satisfactory performance, you will be offered a permanent contract. As an Assistant Professor, you are eligible for a one-time start-up grant of 300,000 euros upon receiving a permanent contract, which at ASCoR you can use to fund a collaborative PhD project to support your academic research line.

The gross monthly salary based on full-time employment (38 hours per week) ranges from € 4332 up to a maximum of € 6737 (salary scale 11/till scale 12). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% end-of-year bonus. The starting salary will be based on qualifications, expertise, and relevant experience. The profile assistant professor is applicable in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

What else do we offer

• A position in which initiative and input are highly valued.
• An enthusiastic and warm department that is open to new colleagues.
• A stimulating research environment in one of the leading departments in communication research worldwide.
• Teaching in diverse, multicultural, and engaged cohorts of students.
• An inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.
• Access to some research funds to conduct studies and attend international conferences.

About us

To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative, and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

An inspiring work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organisation. The social and behavioural sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.

Questions
 

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Prof. dr. Jochen Peter, program group leader Youth and Media Entertainment E: j.peter@uva.nl

Would you like to learn more about working at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG)? Visit our website.

Job application

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by May 26, 2024. You may apply online by using the link below.

Applications in .pdf should include:

• a curriculum vitae including a list of university courses taught with evaluation information (if possible);
• a letter of motivation (max. 2 pages A4) that addresses the requirements above, as well as future plans and ideas.

We will invite potential candidates for interviews as soon as possible after the closing date. Interviews probably take place in June 2024. Preferred starting date of the position is September 2024.

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.

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