The Faculty of Arts of the University of Groningen (The Netherlands) is seeking to appoint a fixed-term assistant professor (1.0 fte) in American Studies. We are looking for inspiring all-round lecturers and excellent and innovative researchers who will make a significant contribution to research and teaching in a cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary context. The successful candidate will teach in the bachelor and master degree programmes in the Department of American Studies and carry out research within the Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG). Teaching and service will comprise 60% of the full-time position, research 40%.

The American Studies Department at the University of Groningen is the only one of its kind in the Netherlands to offer a fully self-contained, interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree programme (three years) as well as a master’s degree programme (one year). Fully taught in English by international faculty, both programmes comply with US and UK benchmarks in the domain of American Studies and lead the national accreditation rankings for academic excellence across the humanities. The majority of students spend a semester at one of the fifteen US universities with which the programme has long-established student exchange relations.

The Department has a total enrollment of approximately 300 students. The BA and MA programmes were cited with distinction for organization, coherence and academic content during consecutive national teaching assessment exercises. The aim of the programme is to retain its strong international position and to strengthen its position in Europe and beyond.

Research at ICOG is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach. It represents many periods and disciplines, ranging from (art) history and theory of literature to media studies and from performing arts to international relations.

We are seeking a candidate who is able to:
- teach American Studies at bachelor and master level in a range of interdisciplinary areas, including: media and popular culture studies; hemispheric American culture and history; Latin American Studies; history of ideas; political culture; literary and cultural theory; academic writing, preferably from a transatlantic, transnational or inter-American perspective
- maintain an ambitious research agenda in one or more of the aforementioned fields, periods and perspectives in American Studies, including the development of grant proposals and the implementation of projects
- take an active role in the further development and teaching of the interdisciplinary American Studies curriculum
- play an active and stimulating role in the organization of teaching and research, including carrying out administrative duties.

The successful candidate will have:

Required:
- PhD in American Studies or related fields, including media and/or popular culture studies, Latin-American studies; cultural history; political culture; or cultural theory (preferably with an emphasis on literary history and/or history of ideas)
- excellent research capabilities, as evidenced by a good publication record, presentations at renowned conferences, and a relevant international network (appropriate to career stage)
- further research potential and plans in interdisciplinary topics within American Studies supported by a programme of research for the next years
- demonstrated affinity with and teaching experience in interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies, preferably from a transatlantic, transnational or inter-American perspective
- experience of teaching at college/university level in these fields
- experience in supervision of undergraduate and graduate students (appropriate to career stage)
- experience in teaching academic writing and/or student counseling
- within 2 years non-Dutch candidates need to have knowledge of Dutch to at least CEFR B2 level (for reading and listening); Dutch candidates need to have a sufficient knowledge of English (CEFR B2/C1 level for reading, listening, writing, speaking). The University provides language courses in Dutch and English
- excellent social and communicative skills and ability to work in groups
- willingness to acquire the University Teaching Qualification within two years.

Desired:
- research and/or teaching experience in media and/or (popular) culture studies, hemispheric or inter-American studies
- international, peer-reviewed publications in the aforementioned fields
- willingness to relocate to Groningen or its environments will be an advantage.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

The University of Groningen offers a salary dependent on qualifications and work experience starting from a minimum of € 3,475 gross per month (salary scale 11 Dutch Universities) to a maximum of € 5,405 gross per month (salary scale 12) for a full-time position, excluding 8% holiday pay and 8.3% end-of-year gratification and participation in a pension scheme for employees. This position is for a period of four years. For more detailed information about working conditions and working for the University of Groningen, please check: https://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/.

Date of entry into employment: 1 January 2018.

A lecture to students may form part of the selection procedure. Interviews are planned for end of September/ beginning of October 2017.

Application
You may apply for this position until 28 August 23:59 h / before 29 August 2017 Dutch local time by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website). The cover letter should contain your reasons for applying and a description of what your contribution to research, teaching and administration could be.

Your application should contain:
1. A cover letter.
2. A curriculum vitae with an overview of your teaching portfolio.
3. A list of publications and an outline of your research plans.
4. The names, titles and complete addresses (including email and telephone) of two people who are willing to provide additional relevant information.

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts is a large, dynamic faculty in the heart of the city of Groningen. It has more than 5000 students and 700 staff members, who are working at the frontiers of knowledge every day. The faculty offers a wide range of degree programmes: 16 bachelor's programmes and 42 master's specialisations. Our research, which is internationally widely acclaimed, covers the following fields: Archaeology, Cultural Studies, History, International Relations, Journalism, Language and Literary Studies, and Linguistics.