We are looking for an Assistant Professor Interdisciplinary Social Science. You will be employed at the Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. The position comprises a combination of teaching and research activities. You will be involved in the teaching of all interdisciplinary programmes, including the Bachelor’s degree programme in Interdisciplinary Social Science, and the two international one-year Master’s degree programmes, Social Policy and Public Health and Youth Studies. Some courses will be co-taught with other teachers and materials for teaching are available.

The Department’s research activities are organized in three programs: ‘Migration, Cultural Diversity, and Ethnic Relations’, ‘Public health’, and ‘Youth in Changing Cultural Contexts’. Our research receives high recognition, both nationally and internationally. Youth Studies participates in the interdisciplinary research institute CAS (Child and Adolescent Studies) and the UU’s strategic theme Dynamics of Youth. You are encouraged to develop and/or strengthen your own line of research in the context of Youth in Changing Cultural Contexts (YCCC).

YCCC centers on identifying opportunities for young people to develop and grow within diverse contexts, including socio-economic conditions, cultural values and norms, social status and peers, and (social) media. Section members seek to understand how such contexts shape adolescent and young adult development, (risk) behavior, emotions, cognitions, and relationships. YCCC researchers participate in various ongoing research projects, including the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study (HBSC), Digital Youth UU, YOUth got talent, and are involved in the TRacking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS).

The position involves 60% teaching activities and 40% research time (2018-december 2021). The core tasks will include:

• independently teaching Bachelor’s and Master’s degree courses within the curriculum of Interdisciplinary Social Science;
• carrying out and supervising research within the scope of the research area of ‘Youth in Changing Cultural Contexts’;
• contributing to the acquisition of (substantial) external research funding;
• maintaining an excellent track record of publications within the field of Youth Studies;
• translating and communicating scientific findings to different audiences.

We are looking for someone who:

• holds a PhD degree in Social or Behavioural Sciences;
• has an excellent command of the English language and international work experience;
• has experience in conducting scientific research within the field of Youth Studies;
• boasts scientific creativity and productivity, as shown by recent publications in (international) peer-reviewed journals;
• has a strong background in methodology and statistics;
• is able to acquire external research funding;
• preferably, the candidate combines expertise in multiple research methods with excellent contacts with practitioners and societal partners in the field;
• is able to teach interdisciplinary Bachelor’s and Master’s degree courses within the curriculum of Interdisciplinary Social Science;
• has experience in setting up and coordinating academic courses (both individually and within a team) in the field of Social Sciences;
• is able to provide enthusiastic and inspiring lectures, based on own research experience and evidenced by positive teaching assessments;
• has an eye for the modernization of teaching methods and is prepared to contribute (within a team) to the optimization of the present quality of teaching;
• contributes to the Department’s collaborative atmosphere, has an open and transparent communication style;
• holds a Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO) or is willing to acquire this qualification in the near future.

We offer a temporary full-time position. After one year and good evaluations, the position will be extended until 31-12-2021. Your salary will range from a minimum of €3,545 to a maximum of €5,513 per month based on a full-time appointment (i.e. salary scale 11/12 according to the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). In addition, we offer attractive and flexible secondary terms of employment, such as an annual holiday pay of 8%, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% per year and partially paid parental leave. We also provide an attractive working environment and a vibrant research climate.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old center and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old University. Utrecht city has been consistently ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the Netherlands.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading Faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in Cultural Anthropology, Educational Sciences, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Pedagogical Sciences, Psychology and Sociology. Research and teaching activities are concentrated in five areas: Behaviour in Social Contexts, Child and Adolescent Studies, Cognitive and Clinical Psychology, Education and Learning and Methodology and Statistics.

More than 5,600 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 850 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues.