The Research Fellowship/Assistant Professorship is one of four positions advertised at the Universities of Amsterdam, Groningen, Leiden and Nijmegen between 2019-2021. It is part of the Anchoring Innovation programme.

In this large-scale research programme, we investigate the thesis that, in order to be accepted, new ideas and inventions need to be relatable to what is familiar for the relevant social groups. This process is called ‘anchoring’. Innovation will always be connected somehow—both in the ways it is communicated and perceived, and in terms of content—to what people know, believe, want, value, and can understand. This is true even of radical, path-breaking, ‘revolutionary’ ideas and insights. This phenomenon of ‘anchoring’ is central to the new research agenda of the Dutch classicists.

We are looking for a classicist (Hellenist or Latinist) with a broad vision on the discipline and its links with the other Humanities and Social Sciences, and an open attitude to operating beyond narrow disciplinary boundaries within the field of Classics. Our Department can use reinforcement particularly in the area of classical Latin and its reception of Greek literature and culture, or in that of archaic and classical Greek poetry (esp. Homer or drama). Links with e.g. the art history or cultural history of the ancient world, reception of the Classics (esp in the 18th-20th cent.), and/or methodological interests and relations with e.g. cognitive studies, cultural studies, anthropology, psychology, literary theory, linguistics, or sociology are particularly welcome.

Candidates are requested to formulate and conduct a research project within Greco-Roman classics and classical studies making a relevant contribution to the Anchoring innovation research programme.

Key responsibilities

• Execution of the proposed research project;
• Close collaboration with the other researchers of the Anchoring Innovation research community, including participation in and organisation of expert meetings;
• Participation in the work of the national research school in Classical Studies (OIKOS) and in the academic community of the LUCAS Institute;
• Presentation of (intermediate) research results at national and international workshops and conferences;
• Publication of a number of studies in international peer-reviewed journals and/or the Anchoring Innovation book series Euhormos (Brill);
• Introduction of the concepts informing the Anchoring Innovation project into the local (MA and ResMA) curriculum;
• Teaching a select number of courses and/or supervising BA and (Res)MA theses (max. 0.2 FTE during the first six years);
• Development of professional teaching skills (incl. obtaining the the nationally standardised University Teaching Qualification/Basis Kwalificatie Onderwijs);
• Active participation in the BA and (Res)MA programmes of Classics and at least one other programme administered by the academic institute LUCAS; this includes teaching developed for a broader student population;
• Submission of an application for external funding of a major research project within 3 years after your appointment;
• Possibly co-supervision of PhD candidates;
• Involvement in administrative duties in the BA and (Res)MA Classics programmes, the LUCAS Institute and/or the Faculty of Humanities.

• You hold a PhD in Classics (or a closely related discipline with excellent command of the languages Latin and/or Greek) and an MPhil or (Research)MA in Classics;
• You are aware of current issues, viewpoints and innovative methods within the field;
• You have at least 3 years of experience as a postdoctoral researcher or assistant professor;
• You are enthusiastic about collaborating across disciplinary boundaries, in both teaching and research, and about communicating with non-academic audiences;
• You have a research profile that fits within the Anchoring Innovation project and within LUCAS and a proven track record of excellent research commensurate with career stage;
• You have experience in teaching Greek and/or Latin, both at BA and (research) MA level, as demonstrated by teaching evaluations and a UTQ/BKO registration (or willingness to obtain the nationally standardized University Teaching Qualification within two years); 
• You are a committed and inspiring teacher, with an inclusive approach to education and the ability to engage a diverse community of BA and (research) MA students;
• You are a clear communicator and team player and are willing to undertake organizational duties;
• You possess (near) native proficiency in the languages of instruction, Dutch and English (or willingness to master the relevant level of fluency in Dutch within two years, with time and funding being provided by the LUCAS institute).

We offer you an initial appointment of 0.8 FTE (30.4 hours/week) as University Lecturer (Assistant Professor/Universitair Docent) for four years, starting on January 1st, 2022, with the possibility of permanent employment. Evaluations of performance are foreseen yearly (standard annual performance and development interviews); at the beginning of the fourth year, a more comprehensive evaluation will take place, to determine whether tenure (a permanent position) will be offered. The tenure decision will be based on a comprehensive assessment of your performance in research, teaching and service (administrative duties, activity in scientific community, academic leadership and societal interaction). If tenure is granted, you will be given a permanent appointment as a University Lecturer/Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent in the Dutch system).

In the first six years of appointment (funded by the Anchoring Innovation programme), the position will consist mainly of research (0.6 FTE) with a limited amount of teaching and administration (0.2 FTE). After the sixth year, on condition of a positive evaluation in the fourth year, it will be converted to a regular University Lecturership with a new balance between research and teaching/administration in accordance with the Faculty-wide norm, unless adequate external research funding is acquired.

The salary is in accordance with the collective salary agreement of the Association of Dutch Universities (CAO) and depending on qualifications and experience. The gross monthly salary is € 3,746.- to € 5,127.- (scale 11) for a full working week, with the possibility of promotion to scale 12 (€ 4,538.- to € 5,826.-).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see the website.

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to equity, inclusion and diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Leiden University

Leiden University’s Faculty of Humanities is rich in expertise in fields such as philosophy, religious studies, history, art history, literature, linguistics and area studies covering nearly every region of the world. With its staff of 995, the faculty provides 27 master’s and 25 bachelor’s programmes for over 7,000 students based at locations in Leiden and in The Hague. For more information, see the website of Humanities.

The Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) is an international, interdisciplinary research institute of the Faculty of Humanities at Leiden University. The Institute hosts academic disciplines and fields in which the relationship between art, popular culture, and society is studied. Strengthened by a great diversity of perspectives and research areas – from art history to media studies; and from early modern theatre to interactive games – the institute strives for a deeper understanding of the historical, creative and social aspects of culture and the arts from classical antiquity to the contemporary world.

The Research Cluster Classics consists of a highly collegial team of younger and more experienced researchers and teachers, forming a closely-knit community with our wonderful students. We have repeatedly been voted ‘Topopleiding’ for excellence in teaching and are ranked at #4 worldwide in the latest QS ranking of Classics departments. Research topics include, e.g., migration literature in the ancient world, the reception of Cicero, views on the nature of mankind as derived from ancient economic thought, Renaissance literature, and, of course, a series of projects within the Anchoring Innovation program. Our Forum Antiquum seminar series offers a podium to classicists from around the world.