In the context of the sector plan for the Humanities titled 'Tradition in transition' and the faculty's profile, the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies currently has a vacant Assistant Professor position as part of the research theme Cultural Heritage and Identity. Within this research theme the focus is on material and immaterial heritage, including digital Humanities, and on cultural heritage and societal changes. Amsterdam School of Historical Studies is one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research.

What are you going to do?

In the context of the Sectorplan Investments in the Humanities, the University of Amsterdam intends to grow its teaching and research in cultural heritage and societal change. We are looking for a colleague who will teach and conduct research on contemporary religious cultures and the ways in which questions of heritage and identity inform new spiritual movements. You will provide education in a dynamic context of Religious Studies with ample opportunities for the development of innovative teaching methods. Your research will be part of the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies, one of the five research schools of the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research. It brings together more than 200 academics from Amsterdam's Faculty of Humanities, who participate in ca. 25 research groups. You will join and actively participate in a research community that combines historical research, humanities and social science-based approaches to the study of Religion both in Europe and in other world regions.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Designing and conducting independent research on the importance of religion in a contemporary globalized society. This includes secularization processes, the rise of new religious movements and spiritual transformations, and of religious cultures as form of cultural heritage.
• actively pursuing external funding for research, notably funding from research councils, national as well as European;
• actively contributing to and developing national and international research networks and other forms of cooperation;
• actively contributing to the interdisciplinary research activities of the Amsterdam School for Historical Studies;
• developing, coordinating and teaching courses in the Bachelor and Master programmes of Religious Studies;
• flexibility in teaching, including the ability and willingness to offer core courses in Religious Studies on topics beyond the own specialisms.
• supervising Bachelor and Master theses and tutoring students; co-supervising PhD theses;
• actively contributing to the development and improvement of the broader teaching programmes in the department;
• taking part in committees and working groups, and carrying out departmental administrative tasks as directed;
• actively contributing to the interdisciplinary collaboration of the sector plan research theme Cultural Heritage and Identity.

You are a researcher working on contemporary religious cultures and heritage, with a proven flair for collaborative projects with a range of partners. You have research and teaching experience that reflects a profound engagement with leading concepts and empirical studies that address religion as part of human culture, focusing on the transformation, (re-)appropriation, and entanglements of religion with social interactions and identity formations, group conflicts and challenges in a globalized world. Your research matches the profile of the Amsterdam School for Historical Studies (ASH) and you have proven ability in quantitative and qualitative research methods. Important is the proven flexibility in teaching on topics beyond your own research focus, a willingness to work in interdisciplinary teams of teachers and the ability to offer inspiring lectures and tutorials in the BA, MA and minor programmes that aspire to an international community of students. The possession of or ability to create connections with contemporary religious movements in urban contexts such as for instance Amsterdam-Bijlmer, Amsterdam Nieuw-West, or Rotterdam-Zuid will be highly appreciated.

We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse academic community and are especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching and/or service, to this mission. We particularly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply.

Your experience and profile:

• a PhD in a relevant field such as anthropology, sociology, psychology or history, with a research focus on religion as part of contemporary culture or/and cultural heritage;
• you either have or show clear potential for developing a strong publication record commensurate with the stage of your academic career;
• strong organisational experience and skills and the ability to work in a team;
• an international academic network in the research area concerned, or a willingness to develop one;
• ability and ambition to obtain external research and/or project grants;
• broad and relevant teaching experience in Religious Studies at BA and MA level, and an interest in teaching in other, interdisciplinary programmes;
• good command of Dutch and English. If you do not speak Dutch, an active and passive command must be acquired within the first two years of the employment contract and the state examination for Dutch as a Second Language programme II must be passed;
• capable of interdisciplinary co-operation in teaching, research, and are willing to take on administrative tasks;
• a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ), or willing to acquire this within the first two years of the employment contract.

We offer permanent employment upon a satisfactory evaluation following a temporary employment contract of a maximum of 18 months with a probationary period of two months. If you already have an employment contract with the UvA, we offer permanent employment upon a satisfactory evaluation following a temporary employment contract of a maximum of 12 months. The employment is for 38 hours per week. Preferred starting date is 01 August 2023.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week, ranges between € 3,974 (scale 11) to €6,181 (scale 12) dependent on relevant experience. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the '30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

We additionally offer:

• the opportunity to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams;
• excellent opportunities for study and personal development;
• an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

Faculty of Humanities

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 42,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in de field of language and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutes in the capital city. Research and teaching staff focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and are active in several teaching programmes.

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