The Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) invites applications for two part-time lecturer/thesis supervisor positions:

The Bachelor and Master teaching programs of the Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies (GPIO) are embedded within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. We offer a Bachelor program in Human Geography and Planning; Masters programs in Human Geography, Urban and Regional Planning and International Development Studies; and two Research Master programs in International Development Studies and Urban Studies. The Masters programs are in English, the bachelor program is in Dutch. While each teaching program has its own focus, there is a shared emphasis on the spatiality of social, economic, and environmental processes. Our teaching and supervision staff is committed to encouraging students to engage in critical inquiry while also exploring constructive solutions to societal problems. Our department is home to diverse and internationally-oriented teaching staff members who also play active and influential roles in both academic and societal debates. Our strong international reputation, and impact is evidenced, in our consistently high scores in the widely-used QS global subject rankings (Development Studies ranked 21st and Geography 14th in 2022).

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for two new colleagues(PhD) with an academic and/or professional background in geography, planning and/or international development studies, or related field, who are able to support our full-time teaching staff in thesis supervision at the Bachelor and Master levels, and to carry out some teaching (on adhoc basis, upon availability by the candidate) at the Bachelor level. Given the size of the appointment, we are in particularly looking for candidates with (self-) employment, in a for the BSc and MSc programmes relevant field,  who have the ambition to complement this with academic teaching in a field closely related to their expertise.

Candidates should have some experience in supervising the full trajectory of Bachelor and Master theses (from proposal phase, during fieldwork/data collection, analysis and writing to the final defense), and an affinity with multiple topics relevant to our department. As a supervisor, you will draw on your own expertise in order to provide students with the depth of knowledge they need to write a thesis. This means you are able to situate yourself in current debates in your area of expertise, provide students with the most up-to-date readings and developments in the field, and have experience with relevant research methodologies and techniques in your field in order to give concrete guidance on data collection and the broader research process.  

Likewise, you are also part of a professional or academic network of contacts which you are willing to share with students to give them more opportunities to conduct fieldwork. Candidates should be willing and able to take on two supervision groups of students (6-8 students per group) per academic year. In terms of teaching, the candidate should be flexible and able to teach both thematic and methodological topics at the Bachelor level. Candidates should also demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for working closely with students. Thesis supervision means meeting regularly with students, taking an interest in their own ideas through open discussion, and helping them to turn these interests into feasible research topics.

In particular, we are looking for candidates who can provide guidance in one or more of the following broad themes:

• migration and refugee movements from the perspective of International Development Studies, Urban of Political Geography in different geographical settings (urban, rural, Global North and Global South), Urban Planning;
• urban development projects (Gebiedsontwikkeling);
• economic geography (future of work, platformisation, deglobalization;
• political geography (geo-politics, migration); 
• climate change, sustainability and climate justice from the perspective of human geography, urban planning and international development studies;
• mobility studies.

What are you going to do

• thesis supervision at the master and bachelor levels;
• teaching at the bachelor level in either thematic, methodological or skills courses.

What do we require

• a PhD in a field related to human geography, planning or international development studies;
• some experience in bachelor or master level thesis supervision;
• experience in bachelor or master level teaching;
• fluency in English and Dutch.

Our preferred candidate:

• has a genuine enthusiasm for working closely with students and helping them develop their ideas;
• has academic or professional expertise in the themes listed above as well as a professional or academic network which can be shared with students;
• works well with others;
• is willing to be flexible and adjust to new supervision or teaching styles in a short amount of time.

Fixed-term contract: 36 months.

We can offer our successful applicant an inspiring teaching environment with capable and highly motivated students, and which is characterized by an international and multi-disciplinary orientation.

The positions are opened as part-time appointments for a duration of three years maximum. Salary depends on past education and relevant work experience, with a minimum salary of €3,821 and a maximum salary of €5,230 gross per month based on a full-time appointment for a 38-hour working week (in keeping with scale 11, as per the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary employee benefits, including a generous holiday scheme and year-end bonus. Because we value your continued personal development and professionalisation, we also offer excellent opportunities for study and development. 

The social sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future. To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with multiple stake-holders around the world.

The UvA is an equal opportunity employer. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences of the University of Amsterdam is committed to diversity and inclusion within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

Faculty of social and behavioral sciences

About the faculty

A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization. The social and behavioral sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.