Assistant Professor in New Media and Information
University of Amsterdam Department of Media Studies
Netherlands

The Department of Media Studies is looking for an Assistant Professor in New Media & 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.

You are an active researcher and have a strong research expertise in the use of computational and digital methods for Media Studies, focusing on social media and digital culture including e.g. the spread of (mis)information and social media manipulation/influence.  Your research will be part of the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC), which together with the different research schools of the  Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research represents UvA’s research in the Humanities. The position will be embedded within the Department of Media Studies.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• designing and conducting independent research on social media manipulation and inauthentic activities such as trolling and artificial amplification, together with measures taken to address them, including deplatforming and content moderation, 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;
• actively contributing to the research activities of the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation;
• developing, coordinating and teaching courses in both Dutch and English, in the BA and MA programmes;
• supervising BA and MA 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 we require of you?

You are a dynamic and ambitious researcher with a strong profile, demonstrable by international publications and an international academic network. Your publications show broad knowledge of the critical study of social media platforms, familiarity with digital research methods, and a strong affinity with computational culture. Your research matches the profile of the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation.

You are able to develop and provide modules on information analytics, digital practices, digital research methods and data journalism. 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 PhD in the Humanities or Social Sciences or Computational Sciences with a research focus on social media and digital culture;
• 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;
• wide and relevant teaching experience at BA and MA level; ideally some supervision experience;
• excellent command (near-native fluency) of both Dutch and English: Non-native Dutch speakers must achieve an active and passive command of Dutch within two years (passing the state examination for Dutch as a Second Language programme II, is a prerequisite for a permanent employment contract);
• experience with digital and audio-visual teaching facilities and affinity with ICT in university teaching;
• experienced in valorisation and practice-based education and/or research;
• good team worker and versatile at all levels, capable of multidisciplinary co-operation;
• excellent organisational experience and skills;
• acquired the Dutch Basic Teaching Qualification, or is willing to acquire this within the first two years.

Research that entails collaboration with non-academic institutions and agencies in the Netherlands, Europe, and beyond is highly welcome.

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract for a period of two years with the intention of converting it into a permanent contract after a positive assessment. Our ideal starting date of the employment contract is 1 August 2021.

The gross monthly salary, dependent on relevant experience, will range from €3,746 to €5,826, based on 38 hours a week. This is excluding a generous holiday scheme (8%) and year-end bonus (8.3%). A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% rule’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement for the Dutch Universities is applicable.

We additionally offer:

• the opportunity to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams;
• opportunities for professional development;
• an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

About us

To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

About the Faculty of Humanities

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. The faculty 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.

Questions?

For questions about this position or the department you may contact:

• Jeroen de Kloet, Chair of the Department of Media Studies
  T: +31 (0)20 525 2586

Job application

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.

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application. You may apply online by using the link below. 

Applications (to the Dean of the faculty, Prof. F.P. Weerman), including a motivation letter, a detailed CV, a list of publications and the names and e-mail addresses of two referees who can provide letters of recommendation, should be submitted in pdf.

The response period closes on 9 May 2021. Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

The interviews will be in the course of May, June 2021. A trial lecture may be part of the application procedure.