University Lecturer (UD) African Studies

The Institute for History at Leiden University invites applications for a University Lecturer (UD) in African Studies. The Faculty of Humanities, of which the Institute for History is part, develops teaching and research in relation to the advancement of the digital. Our lifeworld is changing with the spread of digitization in all aspects of life. Critical analysis of this development is a study field at the core of the humanities.

The University Lecturer will approach this development from the vantage point of African Studies. The University lecturer will be teaching in Africa-related teaching programmes on the MA and BA level, and is expected to co-develop African Studies curricula which integrate digital research and dissemination skills.

This position is part of the University research profile (Domain SSH Cross-cutting) ‘Prosperity, participation and citizenship in a digital world’ (Welvaart, participatie en burgerschap in een digitale wereld). The central questions in this research profile concentrate on youth, (frugal) innovation, health and crisis response on the African continent. The Lecturer will work in an interdisciplinary team (hub) with the African Studies Centre (ASCL), Social Sciences (Anthropology and Development Sociology) and Law (Children’s rights), and will contribute to the programme from the angle of digital humanities and African Studies. Networking skills and an open attitude to other disciplines are therefore highly desired qualities for this position.

Key responsibilities:

• Original research, involving primary sources and/or fieldwork as appropriate;
• Teaching, curriculum development and thesis supervision at undergraduate and graduate levels;
• Developing the interdisciplinary Africa hub on prosperity, participation and citizenship in a digital world;
• A commitment to acquisition of research funding from national and international funding bodies;
• Representation of the field to external audiences and media;
• Administrative duties, commensurate with career stage. 

Selection criteria

• A PhD degree in African Studies or another relevant field, with in situ research experience;
• Research expertise in Digital Humanities, Youth and/or Health;
• A compelling research agenda that promises original and significant work in the field;
• A record of research funding acquisition, commensurate with career stage;
• A publication record commensurate with career stage;
• The ability to work together with colleagues across Humanities and Social Sciences;
• A commitment to high-quality teaching practice, and wide teaching scope in terms of content, which may include general courses in South and Southeast Asian Studies;
• A commitment to high-quality supervision practice at the BA and MA level;
• A strong affinity with and capacity for teamwork in an intercultural work environment;
• An excellent command of English. The majority of the MA programmes at Leiden University are taught in English;
• If the successful applicant does not speak Dutch, they are expected to acquire a good command of Dutch within two years of the appointment. The Institute for History will make resources available to this end.

Our organisation

The Faculty of Humanities is rich in expertise in fields such as philosophy, religious studies, history, art history, literature, linguistics and area studies covering nearly every region of the world. With its staff of 995, the faculty provides 27 master’s and 25 bachelor’s programmes for over 7,000 students based at locations in Leiden and in The Hague. For more information: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities .

Terms and conditions

We offer a 0.9 position to be taken up as soon as possible. Upon good performance the position will be turned into a permanent position after one year.
Salary range from €3974.- to €5439.- gross per month (pay scale 11), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).
You may start at the appropriate step in scale 10 until you fully meet the requirements for scale 11 as specified by the Faculty of Humanities, particularly with regard to the number of years of relevant work experience.
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions . 

Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, he/ she must be willing to obtain this Qualification within two years.

Diversity and inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information

Queries can be directed to Professor Mirjam de Bruijn, Professor of Contemporary History and Anthropology of Africa, Institute for History, email: [email protected]

Applications

Applications must be received no later than 23 September 2022. Applications should be in English and be submitted via the blue button in our application system. Please ensure that you include in one single PDF document named ‘FAMILY Name – Given name – Vacancy Number’ and in this order:

• A letter of motivation
• A CV including education and employment history, publications, language skills, invited talks and presentations, and courses taught.
• One sample syllabus for an introductory BA-level course of the applicant’s choosing.
• One key published article or book chapter
• Names, positions, and contact details of three referees (letters are not requested at this stage). 

Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be held in the first half of October 2022.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated