Job - Postdoctoral Researcher in Media, Communication and Culture (f/m, 0,7 fte)

The Department of Media and Communication is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher who considers it a challenge to participate in a large scale international collaborative research project funded by HERA (Humanities in the European Research Area) on Popular Music Heritage, Cultural Memory and Cultural Identity. Candidates who take a proven interest in one or more of the following fields are preferred:

• Sociology of Culture and Media
• Globalization and digitization in the media and cultural industries
• Popular Music
• Sociology of Music

A PhD degree in the humanities or social sciences is a must, as well as a wide-ranging knowledge of and affinity for the sociology of media and culture and methods of social science research. In addition to an understanding of the latest developments in the field, the candidate must possess strong organizational skills.

In the context of the Erasmus Research Centre for Media, Communication and Culture (ERMeCC) and the HERA-project, you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with renowned academics with an international approach. Candidates with prior teaching experience in the field of media and communication and/or methods of social science research may be offered an additional (0,3 fte) three year contract as a lecturer for the International Bachelor’s in Communication and Media (IBCoM) and other educational programmes offered by the Faculty.

Job description

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Conduct the required research for the Dutch component of the HERA project.
• Perform the role of coordinator for the HERA project.
• Publish and present research results in the form of articles in established international peer reviewed journals and papers at international conferences. 
• Contribute to the generation of additional research funding from national and international funding agencies and other organizations.
• Develop and maintain close contacts with relevant organizations and professionals for the HERA project.
• Participate actively in the Erasmus Research Centre for Media, Communication and Culture (ERMeCC) and relevant Dutch and international  academic networks, associations and organizations.

The successful candidate has:

• A PhD in one of the humanities or social sciences, preferably in the sociology of culture and media, and ranks among the top 10-20% of his or her peer group.
• Ample experience with methods of social-science research.
• The ability and willingness to develop and conduct cross-national, comparative research;
• Expert knowledge in the sociology of culture and media, popular music and/or the sociology of of music.
• A strong research track record, including publications in international refereed journals.
• The potential to generate research funds from national and international funding agencies and to supervise junior researchers and PhD students.
• Strong communication and organizational skills and the ability to work closely together with others in a team environment;
• Proficiency in spoken and written English. Non-English speakers have to meet the
  C1-standards of the Common European Framework (CEF).
• Proficiency in the Dutch language. International applicants are expected to acquire a passive understanding of the Dutch language within 1 year.

Employment starts in September 2010. Contracts will be running for a fixed term of 1,5 years with a possible extension of another 1,5 year.
                       
The conditions of employment correspond with the CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten (CAO NU). Salary is subject to training and experience and corresponds to Scale 12 CAO NU, with a maximum of € 4.970,- gross per month on a 38 hour per week contract. In accordance with the CAO NU a placement in a starting grade is possible for the maximum duration of two years.

The EUR has attractive employment conditions, which include a holiday allowance of 8.0%, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 41 annual vacation days in case of a full workweek.  

Erasmus University Rotterdam

The expertise of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is concentrated in the disciplines economics, Medicine and Health Sciences, Law, Social Sciences, History and Arts, Business Administration, and Philosophy. In addition to the initial degree programmes and scientific research, the University offers specific postgraduate study programmes and courses. Erasmus University has around 20,000 students and some 2,000 staff members.

Faculty of History and Arts (FHKW)
The Faculty of History and Arts includes the Departments of Media and Communication, Arts and Culture Studies, and History at Erasmus University. The FHKW is home to over 800 students and some 100 staff members.

Media and Communication
The Department of Media and Communication is a relatively new, dynamic department within the Faculty of History and Arts. In addition to a Dutch-language Master’s programme in Media and Journalism, the Department offers three international degree programmes: the International Bachelor’s programme in Communication and Media (IBCoM), the international Master’s programme in Media, Culture and Society, and the Research master’s in the Sociology of Culture, Media and the Arts. The Department is closely linked to the Erasmus Research Centre for Media, Communication and Culture (ERMeCC), which serves as the main base for researchers in Media, Communication and Culture at Erasmus.

Additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:

About the Erasmus University Rotterdam
About the Faculty of History and Arts
About the Faculty’s Educational Programmes in Media and Communication  
About the Erasmus Research Centre in Media, Communication and Culture
About the HERA-projectPopular Music Heritage, Cultural Memory and Cultural Identity

Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from prof. dr. Susanne Janssen (s.janssen@fhk.eur.nl, +31 (0) 10 408 2443).

To apply, please send your application letter with your resume, publication list, a description of courses taught, (copies of) three key publications, and the names and contact details of three referees before August 1, 2010 by e-mail to vacancies@fhk.eur.nl. Please mention “Postdoctoral Researcher M&C”.

An assessment is part of the selection procedure.