Assistant Professor Governance and Innovation (0.8 FTE)

Campus Fryslân is the newest faculty of the University of Groningen, located in Leeuwarden. The faculty is dedicated to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary education and research. We conduct cutting-edge research where local themes are connected to global issues, with a focus on six research flagships : 1) Governance and Innovation 2) Global and Local Governance, 3) Sustainable Economy, 4) Language, Technology & Culture, 5) Sustainable Health 6) Knowledge Infrastructures.

Technology and data related issues represent a fast-growing aspect of our research and education. You will work at a state-of-the-art facility at one of the oldest and most prestigious European universities, located in the European Capital of Culture 2018.

Our motivated staff values teamwork and provides a stimulating working environment in which mutual support is combined with room for individual initiative. You will become a member of our high-standing academic and international community. We challenge our staff and students to approach issues from multiple disciplines and encourage them to take a different view. We are curious about yours!

Within Campus Fryslân, you will have a key role in developing and implementing the new Bachelor of Science programme 'Data Science and Society'. Your demonstratable expertise in Governance and Innovation with a passion for interdisciplinary teaching and research will make you an important contributor to shaping, developing, and teaching in this new and unique programme, specifically as coordinator and teacher of the courses:

• ‘Human Rights in the Digital Age’: covering one course in year 1 on the topic of Human Dignity, or one course in year 2 on impact assessments relating to data protection and the use of artificial intelligence
• ‘Governance and Regulation of Innovation’: covering one course in year 1 on the topic ‘responsibility’
• contributing to the course ‘Introduction to Data Science and Society’
• newly developing an interdisciplinary course on Human-Machine Interaction, including perspectives from governance and regulation
• contributing to supervision of the transdisciplinary ‘Field project’
• willingness to contribute to future development of courses relating to a specialization in the governance and regulation domain with a focus on topics relevant for Data Science, such as the governance and regulation of artificial intelligence

This position has a 60:40 distribution between teaching and research. You will be joining the team of the BSc Data Science and Society, and you will join the Department of Governance and Innovation (chair: prof. dr. Andrej Zwitter). The department consists of an international team of more than 15 staff members. Additionally, there is the option of getting involved in the University-wide Jantina Tammes School for Digital Society, Technology and Al.

The position is particularly suited for scholars with a strong interest in interdisciplinary approaches to the governance of data-related technologies, with a particular emphasis and consideration of societal impacts. We are searching for a curious and flexible individual with a strong affinity for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary (e.g. projects with societal stakeholders) teaching and research. Your solid knowledge of technology-related developments in the areas of law, political science, and international relations inform your contributions as a lecturer and researcher. Finally, the ideal candidate will have initial experience with applying for research grants and research project management.

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• a candidate with a PhD on the intersection of law, international relations and/or political science, or a combination of these and related disciplines
• being familiar with the state-of-the art in technology governance, particularly in relation to the governance of artificial intelligence
• being passionate about developing the new Data Science and Society programme
• being able to further develop and teach the courses listed above from an interdisciplinary and critical perspective, introducing innovative/engaging teaching methods
• an established track record and/or demonstrable affinity to research that combines the use of data with aspects of governance, regulation and innovation
• interest in engaging with different publics and stakeholders, including the creation of an international network relevant to the teaching and research activities proposed
• demonstratable ability to acquire research funding
• excellent command of the English language, including excellent communication and team-working skills
• command of the Dutch Language at CEFR B2-level or prepared to obtain this
• in possession of a University Teaching Qualifications or prepared to obtain this.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• depending on qualifications and experience, a minimum salary of €4332 (scale 11.0, assistant professor 2) up to a maximum of € 5929 (scale 11.max, assistant professor 2) gross a month on a full-time basis
• a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

Ideally, a candidate would start in August 2024 to be prepared for starting to teach as of 1 September 2024.

The position has a 60-40 percent distribution with regard to teaching-research. The appointment will be made for an initial fixed term period of 18 months, with the possibility for a permanent appointment upon positive evaluation.