Assistant Professor of Government, information cultures and digital citizenship

In the context of the sector plan for the Humanities titled ‘Tradition in transition’ and the collaboration between the SSH-domains Social Sciences, Humanities, Law and Economics, the faculty currently has a vacant Assistant Professor position as part of the cross-cutting research theme Welfare, Participation and Citizenship in a Digital World. In this position, your research and teaching will focus on the impact of the digital transformation of society, primarily on the relationship between government and citizens. This transformation raises numerous fundamental and instrumental questions, ranging from the impact on values such as accountability and transparency to issues of governance and access to information.

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 for Heritage, Memory and Material Culture (AHM), one of the five research schools of the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research .

The Media Studies department of the Faculty of Humanities offers both depth and diversity in its approaches to the study of media, with a wide range of academic offerings and research interests. It is the largest department of Media Studies in the Netherlands and is consistently highly ranked in international rankings. Our fields of expertise include Archival Studies, Information Studies, Digital Humanities, Journalism, New Media and Digital Culture, Film studies, TV and Cross-media Culture, Globalisation Studies, and Digital Heritage. We are looking for an enthusiastic colleague who wants to initiate and participate in research and education that focuses on the role and significance of public values in the creation, management and use of data and information by governments. .

Tasks and responsibilities:

• designing and conducting independent research on changing information relationships between government and citizens in terms of technologies, cultures, practices, and in relation to societal responsibilities and duties, 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 with government agencies and NGO’s;
• actively contributing to the research activities of Amsterdam School for Heritage, Memory and Material 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;
• actively contributing to the interdisciplinary collaboration of the sector plan research theme Welfare, Participation and Citizenship in a Digital World.

What do you have to offer?

You are a dynamic and ambitious researcher with a strong profile, as demonstrated by international publications and an international academic network. Your publications show broad knowledge of of archives, media, information and memory from a societal and cultural perspective and a strong affinity with the ways in which digital technologies have implications for the creation, management, access, and use of government information. You are familiar with design thinking and have a demonstrable interest in conducting research into the major informational challenges facing governments in civil societies, in particular how technology both raises new problems and offers opportunities in terms of transparency, accountability and good governance. Your research matches the profile of AHM, in particular the ‘Archives and Records in Transition ’ research profile, which focuses on investigating implications and challenges of technological and societal changes for informational and archival functions, methods and techniques and contributing to the development and design of adequate solutions.   

You are able to develop and provide modules in the BA programme Media and Information, the new minor programme which focuses on the role of information and technology in the relationship between government and citizen, as well as in the professional Master Archival and Information Studies, which closely collaborates with the professional Master in Preservation and Presentation of the Moving Image, and the Research Master Media Studies. Important is proven flexibility in teaching on topics beyond your own research focus, 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 aspire to a wide range of students.

Your experience and profile:

• holds a PhD in the Humanities or Social Sciences with a research focus on government and administrative data as societal, cultural and/or legal phenomena;
• excellent knowledge of the latest developments in the field of creation, management, access and use of information and archives
• holds an international academic network in the research area concerned;
• provides research output commensurate with the level of the position;
• active and ambitious researcher with a strong publication record;
• demonstrable ability and ambition to obtain external research grants;
• broad and relevant teaching experience at BA and MA level;
• 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;
• experience with digital and audiovisual teaching facilities and affinity with IT in university teaching;
• excellent organisational experience and skills;
• a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ), or willing to acquire this within the first two years of the employment contract.

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 1 September 2023.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week, ranges between € 3,974,- to € 5,439,- amount (scale 11) 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.

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:

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 05 June 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 June. 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.

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