Governance issues nowadays are complex and dynamic. Societal problems, like global warming, migration, energy transitions amongst others, require contributions of many actors all positioned in complex settings. This lead to debates about the most effective combinations of problems and solutions. Debates that are fuelled by media attention which even increase dynamics in the process due to the media’s bias for drama and conflict. Thus the governance setting is characterized, among other things, by:

-          Discussion and disagreement about definition of the problem and the desirability of solutions
-          Complex interdependencies between actors who are needed for possible solutions
-          Complex and erratic (non-linear) decision-making processes
-          A society in which citizens are increasingly critical towards public organizations and want to be included in decision making about societal issues
-          Erratic, but sometime intense, media attention that fuels complexity and influences strategic behaviour of actors and construction of the policy problem and the possible solutions

The complexity of governance issues requires sophisticated forms of management and governance to achieve outcomes that are valuable for actors involved and able to address societal problems. Various forms of guidance under different headings (collaborative leadership, network Governance, network management, meta-governance) have been proposed to deal with this complexity and the search for new governance mechanism will continue in the time to come.

The assistant professor is expected to contribute to the theory on governance and the way these processes can be governed. He/she will also be expected to contribute to (new forms of) analyses of both the process and the context of complex governance processes. Recently many different research methods have gained popularity in Public Administration for example Qualitative Comparative Analysis, Experiments or Q sort) and we expect the candidate to be aware of these new developments and be able to engage in it.

He/she will be responsible for (re)developing and providing Governance courses in Dutch and English bachelor and master programmes. The ambition is to develop new didactical concepts and innovations in our program. We expect the assistant professor to have an open mind for new concepts and methods in teaching and the ability to implement them.

-          An enthusiastic post-doctoral academic with a well-rounded training in Public Administration, Public Management, Management and Organisational sciences, Sociology or Business Administration.
-          A strong background in research on (collaborative and network) governance and a demonstrable interest in complex governance processes and/or the role of media in these processes.
-          A Basic University Teaching Qualification (BUTQ) or a preparedness to gain one in the short term.
-          Experience in teaching and research in Governance or Public Management on academic level.
-          Academic qualities evident from publications in international scientific journals.
-          Relevant international experience in Governance, Public Administration or Public Management, demonstrated by participation in international conferences and relevant activities and networks.
-          Having a relevant network in the public sector that you can use for your teaching and research.
-          Communication and didactic skills. Initiative, involvement and dedication are additional qualities.
-          Interested in (new) didactical methods and a preparedness to innovate our teaching.
-          Dutch language skills sufficient to teach in Dutch or willingness to learn this in due time. 

Internationally-oriented and varied work within an enthusiastic team, with attractive fringe benefits in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). Your initial employment term will be six years but this may be converted into a Tenure Track if your performance proves satisfactory. Your remuneration will depend on the position, your specific knowledge and experience It will be calculated on the basis of full-time salary ranging between €3.637 and €4.978 gross per month (salary scale 11 CAO NU). Erasmus University Rotterdam offers attractive terms of employment, including a holiday allowance of 8%, a year-end payment of 8.3% and 41 annual leave days in case of a full work week. In addition, EUR takes part in the ABP pension scheme, and we also offer partially paid parental leave. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Moreover, EUR staff members are allowed to make use of the EUR facilities, including the Erasmus sports centre and the University Library.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

The Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), named after Rotterdam-born humanist and theologian Erasmus, is a research university with a strong international orientation and a pronounced social focus, both in its education and research activities. On the lively, modern campus, more than 28.000 students and scholars of more than 100 nationalities are constantly encouraged to develop their talents and meet their ambition. Our more than 2700 scientists and employees work together with all our students to solve challenges faced by global society, drawing their inspiration from the consistently dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. The academic education offered at our faculties is intensive, engaging and strongly focused on practical application. We increasingly perform our research in multidisciplinary teams, which are closely interwoven with international networks. In terms of research impact and the quality of its degree programmes, EUR can compete with the foremost universities in Europe, which is reflected in its consistent top-100 position in most major universities rankings. Erasmus University Rotterdam’s key values are daring, curiosity, social involvement, breaking new ground and striving for success www.eur.nl.

Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB)

The Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences is home to a vast diversity of scientific disciplines: public administration, pedagogical sciences, psychology and sociology. In addition, the Erasmus University College, IHS, and two research institutes RISBO and DRIFT are linked to the faculty. This also reflects in the content of the (international) bachelor's and master's programs and in research.  Our activities are always focused on people and society. At the ESSB fundamental, internationally oriented research is of paramount importance. In addition, social research for professionals, policy makers, and the society is part of our research activities. ESSB offers a stimulating research environment where major national and international research grants are received. Appealing guest researchers and ambitious PhD candidates come along to conduct their research. Our education is small-scale and works with innovative forms of education such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Both the Dutch and English programs are highly ranked by students and alumni. ESSB is home to over 4000 students and more than 400 staff-members. The different disciplines are supported by the Faculty Office (for more information, please visit www.eur.nl/essb).

Department of Public Administration and Sociology (DPAS)

DPAS covers the disciplines of Public Administration and Sociology. Two related scientific fields with different profiles. Public Administration studies governance capacity and policy interventions. It focuses on the institutional power to organize and intervene in the relations between different social, political and economic actors. Public Administration in Rotterdam goes well beyond the public realm itself and pays attention to public-private cooperation and networks of organizations. Sociology investigates the social structure of societies and the way it evolves. Sociologists in Rotterdam focus among other things on processes of globalization and individualization and on the effects of these processes on international social relations, the labor market or family relations. Related social problems that are studied are migration, flexibilization and solidarity. The perspectives of Public Administration and Sociology complement each other. Together they guarantee a highly relevant and scientific approach to topical administrative and social issues. The bachelor- and masterprogrammes of DPAS are build on this profile and educate students to become scientifically schooled professionals.