The successful candidate will provide leadership to develop and grow the chair group’s research agenda and educational programmes. Middle Eastern Studies in Groningen has a unique position because it combines solid language training in both Modern Standard Arabic and Hebrew with a historical, political, and cultural approach to the developments in the region. Its research and teaching are interdisciplinary, focus on contemporary developments, are based on the study of texts in their original language and have significant societal impact. This aligns with growing interest among scholars, students and the general public in the region, triggered by 9/11, the Arab Spring, the wars in Libya, Syria and Yemen, the rise and fall of the Islamic State, and refugees.

The department aims to maintain and further increase its academic and societal relevance by developing its research activities, educational programmes and outreach activities. With regard to religion, the department cooperates with the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies.

Profile
We are looking for candidates with broad expertise of the contemporary Middle East with a particular focus on politics and culture (including literary culture). S/he should be proficient in Modern Standard Arabic and preferably also Hebrew and base his/her research on sources in original language. Candidates should be internationally recognised for their research accomplishments, should have leadership and managerial skills, and a demonstrated track-record as an educator on BA, MA and PhD level. They should be able to supervise, coach and inspire a dynamic, multidisciplinary team and have a relevant, strategic international network.

The position combines teaching & educational management (60%) and research (40%). Candidates with a background in Middle Eastern Studies, Arabic Language and Culture, (contemporary) History, Political Science, and related fields are especially encouraged to apply.

Although candidates with expertise in the above fields have a competitive advantage, the position is open to candidates with a wide range of educational and research interests as well as theoretical and methodological expertise in Middle Eastern Studies.

We encourage you to apply if you have:

· a PhD degree in Middle Eastern Studies, Arabic Language and Culture or a closely related discipline
· an excellent research track record, as evidenced by an outstanding publication record of high-quality books and articles in international peer-reviewed journals
· successfully obtained funding for research projects/submitted excellent grant applications
· a relevant, strategic international network, demonstrated by, for example, participation in internationally renowned conferences and leading roles in editorial boards of academic journals
· extensive experience with teaching, active learning, coordination, independent supervision (of BA/MA students, PhD’s and postdocs) and administrative tasks in BA/MA degrees programmes related to Middle Eastern Studies.
· an innovative view on teaching & teaching methods, including interdisciplinary teaching
· demonstrable knowledge and professional working proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic (and preferably also Hebrew)
· excellent leadership qualities and demonstrable organisational competences
· a strong societal network and demonstrable experience with societal impact
· fluency in English (C1 level of the CEFR) and Dutch or willingness to learn the Dutch language within two years (to at least C1 level of the CEFR – for reading and listening).

And you are:
· an internationally recognised expert in Middle Eastern Studies who studies the field from a broad and interdisciplinary perspective
· communicating a clear vision of academic education and research, transcending your own discipline
· able to teach courses in Arabic (and preferably also Hebrew) and combine expertise in Arabic/Hebrew and Middle Eastern Studies in teaching and research
· a team player with good communication skills
· able to supervise, coach and inspire the relatively young, dynamic team of staff members
· capable of and willing to create and strengthen collaborations between the department, the Research Institute, the Faculty, the university’s Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, the broader research field and society
· acting as a representative of the programmes to students and a broader audience, must have a strong societal network and demonstrable experience with societal impact, being capable of translating research and teaching to a general audience
· representing the field through his/her contacts with other universities in the Netherlands (for instance through the Netherlands Interuniversity School for Islamic Studies) and abroad, as well as with partner institutes in the Middle East
· expected to acquire external research funding
· contributing to the organisation of the department, cluster and faculty, for example by participating in committees and working groups in the fields of teaching, research and management
· willing to fulfill the requirements for the University Teaching Qualification and academic leadership courses with the ability to reflect on your leadership qualities and style.

Familiarity with the Dutch educational system and the place of Middle Eastern Studies therein is considered an asset.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

An appointment at the level of Full Professor with a gross monthly salary depending on qualifications and work experience from € 5,749 up to a maximum of € 8,371 (salary scale H2) for a full-time position. On top of that income, the candidate will receive an 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of your yearly salary.

Only such candidates will be considered, who are willing to move to Groningen and live in the near environment of Groningen within a period of two 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/

The appointee will ideally commence on 1 August 2021 (or as soon as possible afterwards).

Faculty of Arts

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high quality teaching and research. Its 36,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international centre of knowledge: it belongs to the best research universities in Europe, and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide. For additional information please click here. The University of Groningen has a strong commitment to the principles and practices of diversity and inclusion throughout the University community and welcomes candidates who enhance that diversity.

Faculty of Arts, Middle Eastern Studies
The Faculty of Arts is building on a longstanding tradition of four centuries. Our mission is to be an ambitious top-ranking faculty with both excellent education and state of the art research, with a strong international orientation, firmly rooted in the North of The Netherlands. We build and share knowledge benefits for society. We work at a modern, broad and international institution, educating over 5.000 Dutch and international students to become forward-looking, articulate and independent academics.

The professor heads the chair group of Middle Eastern Studies, which is part of the Faculty of Arts. Administratively, Middle Eastern Studies is part of a broader administrative unit with the programmes of Archaeology, Classical Studies, History, American Studies and Middle Eastern Studies. Middle Eastern Studies research is conducted under the auspices of the Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG).