Assistant Professor in Literary and Cultural Analysis, with Specialization in Post/Decolonial Theory

 

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 Cultural Analysis (ASCA), one of the five research schools of the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research. ASCA is home to more than 100 researchers and more than 140 PhD candidates, and conducts world-leading research in Cultural Analysis. ASCA members 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. Across these constellations, ASCA is seeking to strengthen its engagement with post- and/or decolonial theory, and with cultural objects, practices and epistemologies from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania.

 

You will be based in the Department of Literary Studies and Linguistics, in the Literary and Cultural Analysis (LCA) group. Combining perspectives from Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies and Philosophy, LCA is dedicated to research and teaching on contemporary culture. Teaching and research in LCA aim at reflecting on works of literature, art, and visual culture in a theoretically grounded way, in close relation to contemporary social and political questions.

 

Tasks and responsibilities:

• designing and conducting independent research in the field of post- and/or decolonial theory, with a focus on cultural objects, practices and epistemologies from Africa, Asia, Oceania and/or Latin America, resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals and/or books;
• actively pursuing external funding for research, notably from national and European research councils, individually and in consortiums;
• actively contributing to and developing national and international research networks and other forms of cooperation;
• actively contributing to the interdisciplinary research activities of ASCA;
• developing, coordinating and teaching courses in English, in the Bachelor and Master programmes staffed by LCA;
• supervising Bachelor and Master theses and tutoring students; co-supervising PhD theses;
• actively contributing to the development and improvement of teaching programmes in departments across the Faculty of Humanities;
• 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, collegial and motivated researcher with a strong profile, demonstrable by international publications and an international academic network. Your publications show an affinity with Cultural Analysis as a research practice that is fundamentally interdisciplinary, works across different media and revolves around detailed, theoretically informed analyses of cultural objects. Your research explores colonization and its afterlives from a postcolonial and/or decolonial perspective, with a focus on textual/visual/sonic/digital media/arts/culture from Africa, Asia, Oceania and/or Latin America.

 

You are able to teach existing lecture and seminar courses in the BA programme Literary and Cultural Analysis, the MA programmes Comparative Cultural Analysis and Comparative Literature, and the research-MA programmes Cultural Analysis and Literary Studies (all taught in English). You are able to teach on topics beyond your own research focus, willing to work in interdisciplinary teams of teachers and able to offer inspiring lectures and tutorials in BA, MA and minor programmes that aspire to attract a wide range of students across disciplines and backgrounds, and that are committed to creating an inclusive classroom.

 

Your experience and profile:

• you hold a PhD in Cultural Analysis, Cultural Studies, Media Studies or a related discipline, with a research focus on post- and/or decolonial theory and cultural objects, practices and epistemologies from Africa, Asia, Oceania and/or Latin America;
• you have established an international academic network in the research area concerned;
• you have a strong record of peer-reviewed publications and clear research plans for the coming years;
• you have experience applying for external research grants;
• you have broad and relevant teaching experience at the BA and MA level;
• you have an excellent command of English. If Dutch is not your mother tongue, an active and passive command must be acquired within two years of the employment contract and the state examination for Dutch as a Second Language programme II must be passed;
• you have experience with digital and audiovisual teaching facilities and affinity with IT in university teaching;
• you have experience in valorisation and practice-based education and/or research;
• you are a good team player, versatile at all levels, and capable of interdisciplinary co-operation;
• you have demonstrable organisational skills;
• you have acquired the Dutch Basic Teaching Qualification, or are willing to acquire this within two years.

 

An additional research focus and/or teaching expertise in critical race studies, gender studies, queer studies, trans studies and/or disability studies is a plus.

Our offer

 

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 August 2022.

 

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week, ranges between €3,821 (scale 11) to €5,943  (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;
• opportunities for 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, 30,000 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.

 

Questions

 

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact (during office hours):

• Prof. Judith Rispens (search committee chair)
• T: +31 (0)20 - 5254737

 

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 23 March 2022. 

 

Applications, including a letter of motivation, a detailed CV, a list of publications and the names and email addresses of two references, should be submitted in a single PDF document.

 

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

 

The interviews will be held in April-May 2022. 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.

Apply