CLARIAH is a large-scale infrastructure for digital humanities research in the Netherlands, funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research NWO. In the coming years the development of CLARIAH will also include training and education of researchers and students, with special attention to methodological questions.

To collaborate in the design and use of this infrastructure for research and teaching, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with an affinity for Media Archives, Digital Humanities and Blended Learning. This position is part of the work package “Audiovisual Data and Mediastudies”, and its core infrastructure the CLARIAH Media Suite. The Media Suite provides access to audiovisual collections and related paper collections of various archives and libraries, including the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision, EYE Film Institute and National Library of the Netherlands. Besides offering search, playout, annotation and analysis tools, the Media Suite includes tools for advanced digital humanities research, including Jupyter notebooks and speech recognition and image recognition services.

More specifically, we are looking for a researcher with strong analytical and didactical skills and knowledge of digital research methods for setting up blended learning programmes such as tutorials, video productions and webinars for the CLARIAH Media Suite. This connects to the broader domain of Digital Tool Criticism in which researchers and students learn to reflect on the role of digital tools in different phases of their research processes. The Postdoc will be able to start from existing teaching materials but also design its own modules and exercises. Besides online learning, the position entails on site tutorials and workshops for various user groups (e.g. students, researchers, journalists) and contributing requirements for improving future iterations of the Media Suite.

Together with the Postdoc for Video annotation, the Postdoc for Blended Learning plays a central role within the work package, and will work closely with the team of developers at the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision and leading scientists at various Dutch universities.

Tasks for the postdoc will include the following:

• investigate infrastructural and blended learning requirements for integration of the Media Suite in research and training programmes in Dutch universities and research institutes;
• design content and training materials for working with the Media Suite (e.g., written documentation, screencasts and tutorials);
• contribute to the development of digital research methods for working with audiovisual data and tools (e.g. digital source and tool criticism), through jointly written papers and publications;
• give regular workshops and tutorials to various user groups (e.g., students, researchers, journalists)
• offer active support to the users of CLARIAH Media Suite;
• support the Operational WP leader in organizational matters related to CLARIAH Media Suite;
• teach in the Media Studies programmes of the Department of Media and Culture Studies (for 0.2 FTE).

Requirements for the postdoc position:

• a completed PhD in Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Visual Studies, Communication Sciences, History, Information Sciences or other relevant discipline, or a scheduled defense date;
• excellent track record in digital humanities research;
• at least two years of teaching experience and preferably holder of a BKO certificate (basic teaching qualification);
• excellent academic writing and presentation skills;
• excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken;
• proven passive knowledge of Dutch (ability to read and understand written Dutch);
• proven track record in digital methods, digital tools, digital archives and blended learning;
• hands-on mentality;
• ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team;
• ability and willingness to collaborate across the academic disciplines of media studies, history, computer sciences and archival studies;
• problem-solving attitude and ability to deal with complexities and uncertainty;
• excellent organizational, social and communication skills.

You will be offered a 0.6 - 0.8 FTE Postdoc position for 24 months, starting 1 September 2019 or soon after. Initially, there is a one-year contract. The salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges from €3,389 to €3,637 (scale 10/11 according to the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities) gross per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end allowance of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). Here you'll find more information about working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Humanities has around 7,000 students and 900 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. Through its research and teaching in these domains, the Faculty aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe in a rapidly changing social and cultural context. The enthusiastic and committed colleagues and the excellent facilities in the historical city center of Utrecht, where the Faculty is housed, contribute to an inspiring working environment.

The Department of Media and Culture Studies at Utrecht University is an internationally renowned teaching and research consortium composed of scholars in Musicology, Theatre, Dance, Film, Television, Arts Policy, Communication, New Media, Game and Gender Studies. It is dedicated to an interdisciplinary approach to music, media, performance, and culture in general.