The Department of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam invites applications for two tenure-track Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent) position in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations. One of these positions will focus on intergovernmental organisations and/or diplomacy; the other on interstate conflict and security.

The core tasks of the successful candidate will be teaching (0.6 fte) and research (0.4 fte). You will occasionally fulfil organizational tasks and committee work in the wider context of the Department of Political Science.

You will be asked to teach introductory and advanced courses in International Relations, particularly on IGO's or on interstate conflict, in the BA and MA programmes of the Department of Political Science. Occasionally, you can also teach a course that is part of the core curriculum of the BA program. You may also be asked to teach in an interdisciplinary BA or (Res)MA-programme associated with the Department of Political Science.

You will conduct research in International Relations. It is an added plus to address questions around intergovernmental organisations, diplomacy, and/or interstate conflict and security. Your research will be affiliated in one of two Programme Groups, both housed in the Department of Political Science and the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR). The position on IGO's will be embedded in the group Transnational Configurations, Conflict, and Governance (TCCG); the position on interstate conflict will be embedded in the group Political Economy and Transnational Government (PETGOV). For more information on the groups and their interests, please consult the website. You will actively contribute to the development of the research programme by publishing in international scholarly journals or books, by co-supervising junior researchers, and by submitting grant applications. The Department of Political Science appreciates scholarly outreach to professionals and the wider public.

What are you going to do

• Teaching general and specialist courses in International Relations at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels, and involvement in post-graduate supervision;
• Developing, conducting, and supervising high-quality academic research in International Relations, specifically on IGOs and/or diplomacy OR on interstate conflict and security;
• (Participating in) acquiring external research funding;
• A dynamic contribution to the research programme of the Programme Groups TCCG or PETGOV and the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research through scholarly publications and engagement in local, national, and international networks.

• A completed doctoral thesis in Political Science - specifically in International Relations - or a closely related field such as Comparative Politics or International Political Economy;
• The ability to work both as an independent professional and as a team player;
• A demonstrated expertise either in the field of IGO's/diplomacy or in the field of interstate conflict and security;
• An ongoing research programme and publications, focused on international peer reviewed journals and/or books published by internationally recognised academic presses;
• Mastery of social science research methods appropriate for your research agenda;
• A willingness to apply for research grants;
• Solid knowledge of the canon and contemporary literature related to your field of expertise;
• The ability to develop, improve, and teach relevant and inspiring academic courses - at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Dutch and/or English - as evidenced by experience and an engaged interest;
• Affinity with teaching students from other tracks within political science, and from interdisciplinary programmes, within and beyond your own specialization;
• A capacity to teach in English and/or Dutch, and a willingness to acquire passive knowledge of Dutch within three years;
• The basic qualification in higher education at Dutch universities (Basiskwalificatie Onderwijs; BKO) certificate, or a willingness to acquire such.

A stimulating disciplinary and interdisciplinary work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organisation. 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 the city of Amsterdam and society.

The position will initially be on a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for an 18-month period. If the candidate proves suitable (following a positive assessment) and barring unforeseen organisational developments, we intend to offer the candidate a permanent employment contract (i.e., tenure).

Salary depends on past education and relevant work experience. For this position the University Job Classification profile Universitair Docent (UD 2) applies, with a minimum salary of € 3974 and a maximum salary of € 5439 gross per month based on full-time employment for a 38-hour working week, in keeping with salary scale 11, as per the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including a generous holiday allowance and a year-end bonus. Applicants from abroad can be eligible for the 30% tax incentive scheme over a period of five years. Parental leave is standard for 16 weeks. Because we value your continued personal development and professionalisation, we also offer excellent opportunities for study and development.

On top of these renumerations, we offer you a position in which initiative and input are highly valued, an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues, and an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity. We especially welcome applications from members of underrepresented groups. In case of equal qualification, female and minority candidates will be given preference.

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

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. 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.

The Department of Political Science is a large department, part of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG). The Department of Political Science strives for thematic breadth and methodological and epistemological pluralism. Teaching is offered both in English and in Dutch, in BA- and (Res)MA-programmes that offer options for thematic and methodological specialization. The department ranks 17th in the Shanghai ranking, 18th in the QS ranking, and 17th in the THE ranking.

Research is integrated in the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research. The AISSR is one of the largest and most prolific social science research institutes in Europe. It offers ample opportunities for collaboration and exchange with scholars from other fields of political science, as well as the other social sciences.

We strive for excellence in a caring institute. We wish to reflect society in all aspects, as we believe that this improves the dynamics in our organization. Therefore, we support and understand the need for a work/life/family balance and consequently varying working hours and places. We believe that doing good science is fun, and goes hand in hand with an ambitious yet friendly culture.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam in general, and the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences specifically.