The Department of Art and Culture Studies in the Faculty of Humanities is looking for an Assistant professor ‘Cultural and Ecological Theory’, to build upon and extend existing research strengths on this topic within the Amsterdam School of Cultural Analysis (ASCA).
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 ASCA. ASCA is home to more than 100 researchers and more than 140 PhD candidates, and conducts world-leading research in Cultural Analysis. ASCA researchers share a commitment to studying culture in all its forms and expressions within an interdisciplinary framework, and to maintaining a close connection with contemporary cultural and political debates. All ASCA research fits into at least one, but usually more than one of five thematic constellations: 1) Mediality; 2) Arts & Aesthetics; 3) Globalization & Migration; 4) Identities; and 5) Cultural & Social Critique.
You will develop and provide modules within the field of Cultural Theory in the context of the interdisciplinary Bachelor Global Arts, Culture and Politics. 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 BA, MA and minor programmes that attract a wide range of students. You will contribute to teaching at all levels in relevant domains. Among the relevant BA and MA programmes the post holder will likely be asked to contribute by providing interdisciplinary core or elective module(s) are Cultural Studies and – regarding the Bachelor Global Arts, Culture and Politics – the majors Culture and Social Justice, Reimagining Sustainability, and Art, Media and Visual Culture. In the longer term, you will also be expected to contribute to the Dutch-language MA programme Kunst, Cultuur en Politiek.
The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in the 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. The Faculty of Humanities offers assistant professors the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers at research institutes that – partly as a result of their interdisciplinary approach – are world-renowned. Moreover, you will be teaching in a dynamic context in which new teaching methods are being developed. Arts and Culture at UvA is a large and highly successful academic department that connects research and teaching in Art History, Cultural Studies, Theater Studies, Music Studies, Heritage and Memory Studies and Museum Studies.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- designing and conducting independent research in the area of Cultural and Ecological Theory, building upon and extending existing research strengths on this topic within ASCA and the University of Amsterdam;
- actively contributing to the research activities of ASCA and active engagement in ASCA research groups and seminars (for example: Political Ecologies, Cities Seminar: More-than-human Cities, Artistic Research: Sharing Methods and Practices)
- 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;
- developing, coordinating and teaching courses in both Dutch and English, in the Bachelor and Master programmes, with a broad expertise in core topics related to cultural theory, art studies, the posthumanities, ecological theories and creative approaches to sustainability;
- 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.
What do you have to offer?
You are a dynamic and ambitious researcher with a strong research profile, demonstrable by international publications and an international academic network. Your publications show a broad engagement with environmental concerns viewed through the lens of art and culture. You are aware of and contribute to ongoing debates in the environmental humanities, with a special focus on – for example – the Anthropocene, critical infrastructures, the energy humanities, climate justice, the posthumanities or Global South and Indigenous perspectives on sustainability and development. Your work combines theoretical insights and empirical research to understand urgent questions related to culture and ecology.
The successful candidate’s teaching portfolio should complement and add to existing courses in cultural studies while also responding to growing student interest in the environmental humanities. You will bring a critical and creative approach to pedagogy that addresses the intersections of social, ecological, and cultural challenges. We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who combine an interest in more-than-human approaches to the arts and humanities with a clear understanding of the global political stakes of such work, where environmental concerns intersect with issues of – for example – decoloniality, the pluriverse, or planetarity.
Your experience and profile:
- a PhD in Cultural Theory, Cultural Analysis, the Environmental Humanities or a related field;
- demonstrable familiarity with critical approaches to aesthetics and culture with a special focus on ecological theories, posthumanism or the environmental humanities.
- holds an international academic network in the research area concerned;
- 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, both 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 to be taken;
- 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 willingness 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 (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):
- Prof. Kati Röttger, chair of the department Art and Culture
T: +31 20-5254098
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 24 April 2023.
Applications should include the following information (submitted in one .pdf):
- a letter of motivation;
- a detailed CV with a list of publications and the names and addresses 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 May 2023. A trial lecture may be part of the application procedure.
