Assistant Professor AI, Text, and Human Interaction

In the context of the sector plan for the Humanities titled ‘Tradition in transition’, the faculty currently has a vacant Assistant Professor position as part of the research theme Humane AI. Within this research theme the focus is on data and platforms for social, cultural and economic innovation.

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 one of the following three research schools (depending on your expertise and profile): Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication ; Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis or the Institute for Logic, Language, and Computation .  These are three of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research .

Current developments in AI have a huge influence on how humans use text: AI is commonly involved at all stages of learning to read and write (for instance using interactive apps and digital tools in schools and at home), and continues to affect how people perceive, produce and interpret texts. These technological advances are the subject of current societal debates that Humanities research can contribute to and shape. The department of Dutch is looking for a colleague whose research and teaching focuses on the effects AI has on the generation and interpretation of texts as well as human interactions. You have experience with developing, implementing and applying analytical methods (such as corpus analysis, data/text mining, and/or computational modelling) and are able to analyse the consequences of AI applications, in particular for human interactions, by looking at texts, language and/or other relevant domains that are relevant to culture in the Netherlands. You will incorporate analytical and/or computational methods in relevant courses of our undergraduate and masters programmes and develop a (cross-disciplinary) research line related to these empirical domains. Examples of such cross-disciplinary research topics are the role of AI in health communication, human versus machine generated (creative) writing, AI and authorship, AI and language/literacy education and acquisition, misinformation and digital literacy, and the analysis of AI generated argumentation. You are expected to collaborate in teaching and research activities with other members of the department and to actively seek collaborations with relevant disciplines.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• designing and conducting independent research on the intersection of AI, text, and human interaction, 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 the research school that you will belong to (either ACLC, ASCA or the ILLC);
• developing, implementing and teaching course materials involving methods such as corpus analysis, data/text mining, natural language processing, statistical analyses, (computational) modelling and the consequences of AI on text in human interaction in programmes such as the BA Nederlandse Taal en Cultuur; BSc Cognition, Language and Communication; the BA Literary and Cultural Analysis; BA Linguistics; Master Neerlandistiek; Master CIW; Master Literary Analysis; the Master General Linguistic and/or the Research Master Linguistics and Communication;
• 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;
• actively contributing to the interdisciplinary collaboration of the sector plan research theme Humane AI.

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 current developments in AI, texts, language and/or other cultural domains; familiarity with designing and applying methods (such as corpus analysis, data/text mining, (computational) modelling) and analysing the consequences of these developments, and a strong affinity with doing research and teaching activities that are societally relevant. Your research matches the profile of one the research schools ACLC, ASCA or the ILLC.

You are able to develop and provide courses in the domain of language and literature that address AI, text and human interaction. Important is proven flexibility in teaching on topics beyond your own research focus, a willingness to work in interdisciplinary teams of teachers (including in team-taught courses) and the ability to offer inspiring lectures and tutorials in the programmes at all degree levels that aspire to a wide range of students.

Your experience and profile:

• You hold a PhD in a field such as Literature; Linguistics; Cognitive Science; Computational Argumentation, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Humanities, Natural Language Processing, or a closely related field; 

• You have an international academic network in the research area concerned;
• Your research output is commensurate with the level of the position;
• You are an enthusiastic and ambitious researcher with a strong publication record;
• You demonstrate the motivation and ability to obtain external research grants;
• You have a broad and relevant teaching experience at undergraduate and masters level;
• You are familiar with digital and audio-visual teaching methods as well as with IT in university teaching context;
• You have demonstrable organisational experience and skills;
• You have acquired the Dutch Basic Teaching Qualification (or equivalent), or are willing to acquire this within the first two years;
• You are fluent in English and you are able to communicate in Dutch at the start of your appointment;
• If you are not fluent in Dutch, you have a willingness to pass the state examination for Dutch as a Second Language programme II within two years of the employment contract. The Faculty will assist in this process.

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. Preferred starting date is before 1 August 2023.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week, ranges between €3,974 (scale 11) to €6,181 (scale 12) dependent on relevant experience. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

We additionally offer:

• the opportunity to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams;
• excellent opportunities for study and personal development;
• an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 42,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

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.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact (during office hours):

T: 020-5254737

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. The deadline for applying for this vacancy is 12 March 2023.

Applications should include the following information (submitted in one .pdf ):

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

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

The interviews will be held in the course of March 2023. A trial lecture may be part of the application procedure.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize 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.