Excellent research assessments and growing student numbers enable the Department of Media Studies and Journalism of the University of Groningen to hire new assistant professors.

For this position, we are looking for a candidate with expertise in Cultural Industries and/or Platform Studies. In particular, we welcome scholars who research the platformisation/digitisation of cultural production in relation to transformations in technologies, cultures, and political economies of digital media.

The position is open to candidates with a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches. Candidates should be able to teach courses in media studies on the BA and MA level, and contribute to our research programme. The position combines teaching (60%) and research (40%).

The successful candidate is expected to teach in our English-taught BA programme in Media Studies, and our newly established international MA programmes ‘Datafication and Digital Literacy’, ‘Media Creation and Innovation” and/or ‘Social Media and Society’.

The international BA programme in Media Studies focuses on the social and informative function of media. It is rooted in the humanities domain of media studies but also draws upon methods and paradigms developed in the social sciences domain of communication science. The degree aims to endow students with a thorough understanding of the affordances of different platforms and the interplay between them; the political and economic underpinnings of media systems; patterns of use, production and content; and the functions and impact of media in culture and society. Throughout the curriculum, it provides a comparative perspective by studying media in their cultural, historical, economic, political and international contexts. The programme has an annual enrolment of 120 students from all parts of the world.

The new MA programmes ‘Datafication and Digital Literacy’, ‘Social Media and Society’, and ‘Media Creation and Innovation’ will be launched in September 2019 and provide students with cutting-edge knowledge of the digital transformations that profoundly change society. The MA programmes in Journalism focus on high quality reporting in a cross-media setting with a strong focus on digital skills and innovation, and combine academic reflection with academic skills. The minor programmes in Media Studies and in Journalism Studies address a range of developments in the field of media and journalistic culture, providing courses to approximately 75 bachelor students. Our BA and MA programmes rank first among all Media Studies programmes in The Netherlands in the national student survey.

Research is conducted within the interdisciplinary Centre for Media and Journalism Studies, which has been rated as “excellent/world-leading” in the 2016 Research Assessment. Its focus areas are Social Media and Digital Culture, Transforming Media Use, and Media and Journalism as Cultural Form. Members of the Centre have been successful in recent years in attracting external research funding. Successful candidates are expected to actively contribute to a vibrant research environment and are provided ample support in applying for bids with national and international funding agencies.

The successful applicant is expected to:
- teach and supervise students in the department’s undergraduate and graduate programmes; international candidates will teach solely in English, they are offered the chance to follow a Dutch language course; Dutch candidates may be asked to teach in both English and Dutch
- participate actively in curriculum development, design and administration of course modules
- conduct and generate top research in media studies, communication studies or science and technology studies
- pursue research grants and other forms of external funding
- participate actively in international research networks and build international collaborations
- participate actively in the activities of the interdisciplinary research Centre for Media and Journalism Studies.

In addition to a number of basic requirements set by the University of Groningen, such as excellent social and communication skills, presentation skills, coaching skills and a results-oriented attitude, we are looking for candidates who have:
• a PhD in Media Studies, Communication Studies, Science and Technology Studies, or related field
• wide-ranging knowledge in Media, Digital Culture, Cultural/Creative Industries and/or Platform studies
• teaching experience at university level and proven didactic abilities
• gained the University Teaching Qualification or prepared to do so within a year
• an excellent research track record, including relevant publications
• an outstanding national and international academic network as well as strong contacts with professionals in the field
• willingness to make substantial contributions to the development of the Department’s research and educational programmes
• organisational experience and skills
• excellent command of English (at least CEFR B2/C1 level for reading, listening, writing and speaking)
• expected to have or gain understanding of the Dutch language (CEFR B2 for reading and listening, and CEFR B1 for writing and speaking) within two years.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

The University of Groningen offers a salary, depending on qualifications and work experience, with a minimum of € 3,637 (salary scale 11 Dutch Universities) to a maximum of € 5,656 (salary scale 12) gross per month for a full-time position. The gross salary is excluding 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus and participation in a pension scheme for employees. Favourable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The appointment will be for a temporary period of 4 years. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).

For more detailed information about working conditions and working for the University of Groningen, please check: https://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/

Preferred date of entry into employment is 1 August 2019

Application
You may apply for this position until 4 April 11:59 pm / before 5 April 2019 Dutch local time by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).

Applications should include:
• a cover letter that explains the motivation for applying for this position
• a full curriculum vitae including a full list of publications and talks
• a research plan of 1-2 pages that includes future ideas for grant applications
• a teaching statement that contains a description of courses taught and teaching qualifications
• the names and contact details of two academic referees.

Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be taken into consideration.

Job interviews will be held in the weeks of 22 April 2019.

The University of Groningen is an equal-opportunity employer that values diversity. We have adopted an active policy to increase the number of female scientists across all disciplines of the university. Therefore, female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Faculty of Arts

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 31,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international centre of knowledge: it belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.

The Faculty of Arts is a large, dynamic faculty in the heart of the city of Groningen. It has more than 5,000 students and 700 staff members, who are working at the frontiers of knowledge every day. The Faculty offers a wide range of degree programmes: 15 bachelor's programmes and over 35 master's specialisations. Our research, which is internationally widely acclaimed, covers the following fields: Media and Journalism Studies, Archaeology, Cultural Studies, History, International Relations, Language and Literary Studies, and Linguistics.