Assistant Professor in European Politics and Society University of Groningen, Faculty of Arts Netherlands

The Faculty of Arts is building on a longstanding tradition of four centuries. Its mission is to be an ambitious top-ranking faculty in terms of both education and high-quality research, with a strong international orientation, firmly rooted in the North of The Netherlands. The faculty creates and shares knowledge through outstanding education and high-quality research, benefitting to society. With more than 5.000 students, the faculty is heavily involved in educating students, both Dutch and international. The faculty is a modern, broad and international institution, educating students to become forward-looking, articulate and independent academics.

European Languages and Cultures (ELC) is a multidisciplinary and intercultural European Studies degree programme—wide-ranging, dynamic, and unique in the Netherlands. The degree programme combines learning a modern European language at a high level with academic training comprising the study and application of the most important theories and methodologies in political and social sciences, literary and cultural studies, and linguistics. These disciplines form the foundation of the degree programme's three academic profiles: Politics and Society, Literature and Culture, Language and Society. Each of these three profiles is connected to a separate chair group.

The Politics and Society profile concentrates on European politics, political systems, and political cultures and the ways they function in their societal context, from a theoretical and empirical/historical perspective. The profile provides theoretical and methodological skills as well as specialized modules engendering critical thinking and research skills on issues of politics and society, in addition to interdisciplinary electives such as “Eurolab” on pressing European issues.

The ELC degree programme is looking for an enthusiastic, assistant professor (in Dutch called UD: universitair docent) in European politics and society, who will contribute significantly to the bachelor's degree programme and especially the Politics and Society profile. The position will comprise a combination of teaching (60%) and research (40%) in the field of European politics and society, broadly understood. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of the ELC degree programme, the assistant professor must be able to place European politics and society into a wider cultural, historical, theoretical and socio-political context. While the assistant professor will be appointed by the ELC department, close ties will be maintained with the degree programmes in International Relations and International Organizations, which also has an excellent reputation within The Netherlands and abroad. In addition to teaching within the ELC degree programme, the assistant professor will also be involved in teaching in master's degree programmes, including the track European Politics in a Global Perspective in the MA in International Relations. Research by the assistant professor will be conducted in context of the chair group European Politics and Society and under the auspices of the Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG) and its Centre for International Relations Research.

Specific tasks:
• providing teaching in the field of European politics and society within the bachelor's degree programme in ELC and in respective master's degree programmes
• supervising bachelor's and master's theses in the aforementioned field
• making an active contribution to the evaluation and development of the degree programme and its individual course units
• conducting academic research in the field of European politics and society
• performing administrative and organizational duties.

In addition to a number of basic requirements set by the University of Groningen, such as excellent social and communication skills, presentation skills, coaching skills and a results-oriented attitude, we are looking for a candidate with a PhD in the field of political science, sociology or history who has an adequate command of Dutch or who is willing to learn Dutch within two years (to at least CEFR B2 level – for reading and listening) and also

In the area of teaching:
• has experience with teaching university-level political science, sociology or history (and openness to develop this in a European Studies-related teaching environment)
• has a sufficiently proficient command of English (at least CEFR B2/C1 level – for reading, listening, writing, speaking) to be able to teach in English in the European Languages and Cultures degree programme
• preferably has language skills in another European language (French, Spanish, Russian etc.)
• has gained the University Teaching Qualification (in Dutch: BKO) or is prepared to do so within a year
• is an excellent teacher, as demonstrated by positive teaching evaluations
• is demonstrably able to make concrete contributions to the development of course units, partly by actively linking teaching to research.

In the area of research:
• has an active research agenda as demonstrated by publications in the area of expertise mentioned
• has international experience and an international network.

In the area of management and organization:
• is able to make a constructive contribution to multi- and interdisciplinary collaboration and a friendly, collegial atmosphere within the department
• has demonstrable administrative and organization skills.

The University of Groningen offers a salary for the assistant professor dependent on qualifications and work experience, with a minimum of € 3,637 (salary scale 11 Dutch Universities) to a maximum of € 5,656 (scale 12) gross per month for a full-time position. On top of that income, the candidate will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an annual bonus of 8.3%. The conditions are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).

The appointment will initially be on a temporary basis for five years with the possibility of becoming a permanent position following a positive Results and Development assessment. Assessment for a permanent position is possible from the second year onwards.

Date of appointment: 1 September 2019

The University of Groningen is an equal-opportunity employer and has adopted an active policy to increase the number of female scientists and members of under-represented groups. Therefore, female candidates and members of under-represented groups are especially encouraged to apply. The University of Groningen provides career services for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen.

How to apply
You may apply for this position until 6 January 11:59 pm/ before 7 January 2019 Dutch local time by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).

Applicants should fill in the application form and upload four PDF files:
1. The first file includes a letter of motivation
2. The second file includes a CV with a list of five self-selected best papers or publications, the complete list of publications and the names and contact details of three referees
3. The third file includes a brief description of scientific interests and plans; a statement about teaching goals and experience (maximum two pages in total). This can be loaded under ”extra document” on the website
4. The fourth file includes an appropriate writing sample. This can be loaded under ”extra document” on the website.

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