Assistant Professor in Political Science - Specialization in Public Policy

The Department of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent) position in Political Science with a specialization in public policy. More specifically we are looking for candidates with a research interest in actors dealing with complex policy issues in governmental, private or civil society organizations within the context of hybrid and mixed modes of governance.

In addition, candidates require academic teaching experience in the policy sciences broadly conceived, so that they contribute to our international, bi-lingual and broad political science (under-)graduate programmes within the College and Graduate School Social Sciences.

What are you going to do

The core tasks of the successful candidate will be teaching (0.6 fte) and research (0.4 fte). You will occasionally fulfil organizational tasks and committee work in the wider context of the Department of Political Science. 

You are asked to teach introductory and advanced courses in public policy and governance in the BA and MA programmes of the Department of Political Science. Occasionally, you can also teach a course that is part of the core curriculum of the BA program. You can also be asked to teach in an interdisciplinary BA or (Res)MA-programme associated with the Department of Political Science.

For research we are interested in candidates who can offer innovative theoretical and empirical contributions to literatures on public professionalism, institutional work, transformative leadership, strategic (inter)action. Your research will be affiliated with the Programme Group ‘Transnational Configurations, Conflict, and Governance’ (TCCG), housed in the Department of Political Science and the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR). For more information on the group and its interests, please click here . You will actively contribute to the development of the research programme of TCCG by publishing in international scholarly journals or books, by co-supervising junior researchers, and by submitting grant applications. The Department of Political Sciences appreciates scholarly outreach to professionals and the wider public.

Core tasks 

• Teaching general and specialist courses in public policy and governance at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels, and involvement in post-graduate supervision; 
• Developing, conducting, and supervising high quality academic research on the topics mentioned above; 
• (Participating in) acquiring external research funding; 
• A dynamic contributing to the research programme of the Programme Group TCCG and the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research through scholarly publications and engagement in local, national, and international networks. 

What do you offer

• A completed doctoral thesis in Political Science – specifically in-public policy and governance - or a closely related field such as Public Administration or Sociology; 
• The ability to work both as an independent professional and as a team player;

• A demonstrated expertise in the field of public policy and governance;
• An ongoing research programme and publications, focused on international peer reviewed journals and/or books published by internationally recognised academic presses; 
• Mastery of social science research methods appropriate for your research agenda;
• A willingness to apply for research grants; 
• Solid knowledge of the canon and contemporary literature related to public policy and governance

• The ability to provide relevant and inspiring academic teaching – at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Dutch and/or English – as evidenced by experience and an engaged interest; 
• Affinity with teaching students from other tracks within political science, and from interdisciplinary programmes, within and beyond your own specialization; 
• A capacity to teach in English and/or Dutch, and a willingness to acquire passive knowledge of Dutch within three years; 

• The basic qualification at Dutch universities in higher education (Basiskwalificatie Onderwijs; BKO) certificate, or a willingness to acquire such.  

What can we offer you

A challenging disciplinary and interdisciplinary work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organisation. To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.  

The position concerns temporary employment of 38 hours per week for an 18 months period. For internal candidates the temporary employment will be for the period of 1 year.

 If the candidate proves suitable (following a positive assessment) and barring unforeseen organisational developments, we intend to offer the candidate a permanent employment contract.  

Salary depends on past education and relevant work experience. For this position the University Job Classification profile Universitair Docent (UD 2) applies,  with a minimum salary of €4332 and a maximum salary of € 5929 gross per month based on full-time employment for a 38-hour working week, in keeping with salary scale 11, as per the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities . We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including a generous holiday allowance and a year-end bonus. Applicants from abroad can be eligible for the 30% tax incentive scheme over a period of five years. Parental leave is standard for 16 weeks. Because we value your continued personal development and professionalisation, we also offer excellent opportunities for study and development. 

On top of these renumerations, we offer you a position in which initiative and input are highly valued, an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues, and an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam. 

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. We especially welcome applications from members of underrepresented groups. In case of equal qualification, female and minority candidates will be given preference.

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 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds. The social and behavioral sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.  

The Department of Political Science is a large department, part of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG). The Department of Political Science strives for thematic breadth and methodological and epistemological pluralism. Teaching is offered both in English and in Dutch, in BA- and (Res)MA-programmes that offer options for thematic and methodological specialization. Research is integrated in the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research. The AISSR is one of the largest and most prolific social science research institutes in Europe. It offers ample opportunities for collaboration and exchange with scholars from other fields of political science, as well as the other social sciences.

Westrive for excellence in a caring institute. We wish to reflect society in all aspects, as we believe that this improves the dynamics in our organization. Therefore, we support and understand the need for a work/life/family balance and consequently varying working hours and places. We believe that doing good science is fun, and goes hand in hand with an ambitious yet friendly culture.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam in general, and the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences specifically.

Questions

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information?

For questions about the vacancy, please contact: head of the search committee, Dr Imrat Verhoeven, [email protected]

For technical and procedural questions, please contact: Emma Thummel, [email protected]

Job Application 

Does this profile sound like you? A complete application must be submitted to University of Amsterdam’s on-line recruitment portal. It should include:

• A letter, outlining your potential contribution to the education and research programmes mentioned above;
• Your Curriculum Vitae, including (i) past work experience and qualifications (research, teaching, and/or management), (ii) your research interest(s), and (iii) a list of publications;

• A single-page teaching statement stating your teaching experience, ambition and vision;

These five components should be combined into one single pdf document .

The deadline for applications is January 31st 2024. Onsite interviews are expected to be held in late February 2024. You may apply online by using the link below. 

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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