What are you going to do?

You will provide education in a dynamic context with ample opportunities for the development of innovative teaching methods. Your research will be part of the Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA), one of the five research schools of the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research.

ASCA is home to more than 100 researchers and more than 140 PhD candidates, and conducts world-leading research in Cultural Analysis. ASCA researchers share a commitment to studying culture in all its forms and expressions within an interdisciplinary framework, and to maintaining a close connection with contemporary cultural and political debates. All ASCA research fits into at least one, but usually more than one of five thematic constellations: 1) Mediality; 2) Arts & Aesthetics; 3) Globalization & Migration; 4) Identities; and 5) Cultural & Social Critique.

Your teaching will mostly take place at the Department of Italian Studies and at the Modern and Foreign Languages Department (MVTC, in the Faculty of Humanities) of which the Italian department is a part. The department is located in the historical centre of Amsterdam and home to scholars with a diverse range of research and teaching interests. It offers a three-year BA curriculum in which students study modern Italy and its position in Europe and the world. Students of the programme gain specialized topical and historical cultural, societal, and language knowledge as well as broader comprehension of the region. The department also participates in various interdisciplinary and graduate programmes in the faculty and university, including the Research MA Literary Studies, the MA Literature, Culture and Society, and programmes at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies.

You will teach Italian language courses and courses in Italian studies, as well as comparative courses in the Languages, Culture, and Region BA programmes of the Department of Modern and Foreign Languages and in other relevant BA and (R)MA programmes of the faculty (e.g. the BA Literary and Cultural Analysis and/or programmes in the History and European Studies department), which offers a dynamic context with ample opportunities for the development of innovative pedagogy and research-led education.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Designing and conducting independent research on transdisciplinary literary studies, with special attention for Italian studies. Expertise at the nexus of literary studies and one or more of the following areas (listed in alphabetical order) is a bonus:
  • Critical race studies
  • Environmental humanities
  • Gender studies
  • Postcolonial studies
  • Science and technology studies

The conducted research will result in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals and/or books.

• 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 research activities of the Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA) and to the school's research constellations as outlined here, as well as the activities of the cross-faculty Amsterdam Centre for European Studies (ACES).
• Developing, co-coordinating and teaching courses in the BA programme in Italian Studies and in other relevant BA and (R)MA programmes across the faculty.
• 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.

Alongside an excellent research profile (see below), you are able to provide, participate, and develop analogous programming for the following possible allocated BA and/or (R)MA courses: Italian language courses; De wereld van de mens; De wereld in delen; Inleiding Italië studies; Het modern Italië; Nationale identiteiten in Europa; Europese literaire klassieken; Good Italy, Bad Italy; La dinamica della letterature italiana; How Literature Shapes Society; and Literary and Cultural Analysis (this, this and this link lead you to relevant programme and course descriptions. You will offer research-led core and elective courses that contribute to the BA in Italian Studies, the MA Literature, Culture, and Society, and other relevant BA and (R)MA programmes, and attract students from other disciplines. At the same time, you are flexible in teaching on topics beyond your own research focus, willing to work in interdisciplinary teams of teachers, and able to offer lectures and classes that appeal to a wide range of students.

Your experience and profile:

• You hold a PhD in the field of Italian studies, with special attention for transdisciplinary literary studies. Expertise at the nexus of literary studies and one or more of the following areas (listed in alphabetical order) is a bonus:
  • Critical race studies
  • Environmental humanities
  • Gender studies
  • Postcolonial studies
  • Science and technology studies
• Your research aligns with one or more of ASCA's research constellations (see link above).
• You participate in international academic networks.
• You have a strong publication record in the scholarly fields that are relevant to this position and will produce research output of international standing, including peer-reviewed articles, books, chapters etc., as well as work of broader public interest.
• You demonstrate the ability and ambition to obtain external research grants.
• You have broad and relevant teaching experience in Italian Studies, including expertise in teaching language and literary-studies classes, at BA and (R)MA level.
• You are open to and interested in interdisciplinary collaboration.
• You have an excellent command of Italian and of both Dutch and English. If you do not speak Dutch, an active and passive command must be acquired within two years of the employment contract and the state examination for Dutch as a Second Language programme II must be passed.
• You have experience with digital and audiovisual teaching facilities and IT in university teaching.
• You are experienced in valorisation and able to communicate with wider audiences.
• You are a good team player and versatile at all levels, capable of multidisciplinary co-operation.
• You have excellent organisational experience and skills.
• You hold the Dutch University Teaching Qualification (UTQ), or are 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 € 3974 (scale 11) to € 6181 (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.