Are you passionate about social sciences? Would you like to help first year students learn all about theoretical concepts, research methods and tools in a collaborative setting? We are looking for a new team of Teaching Assistants (TA) and you may just be one of them!

In September 2022, a brand new Bachelor's programme at the UvA welcomed its first students: Computational Social Science. This interdisciplinary programme is a collaboration between the faculties of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG), Science (FNWI) and Humanities (FGw).

Students will learn how to analyse 'real world' data on complex societal issues such as climate change, global health and digital surveillance to identify opportunities for (behavioural) change and to design evidence-based intervention strategies. They will programme hands-on tools that support sustainable digital innovation and contribute to making the world a better place!

Computational Social Science is an English-taught programme with a unique curriculum that is solely made up of project driven, semester-long courses of 30 EC. More information can be found here: www.uva.nl/bsc-computational-social-science

What are you going to do

Our exciting curriculum is primarily project-based and therefore contains a significant amount of group work. As a TA, you will mostly be supporting students as they develop these projects. You will be asked to be physically present in our Common Learning Space during your scheduled hours to be available to students for questions and guidance.

Applicants must be available to work on site at the JK building on Roeterseiland Campus on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays.

We are looking for friendly, approachable and above all enthusiastic TAs who are willing and able to engage with undergraduate students. You will need to know how to recognise and hold the line between guiding students' independent learning and doing students' work for them. Experience in teaching or group facilitation would be an asset.

Computational Social Science draws from Political Science and Sociological theory, primary research skills, as well as practical skills in communication and stakeholder outreach. We do not expect you to have expertise in all these areas, but you must be willing to learn and keep up with the basics of our students' curriculum (there will be paid time allowed for this).

Experience in two or more of the following areas is preferred:

• levels of analysis;
• structure/agency debate;
• wicked problems, especially climate change or digital surveillance;
• theories of behavioural change;
• writing executive summaries;
• creating infographics;
• survey design;
• in-depth interviewing;
• statistics;
• stakeholder outreach and management;
• design thinking;
• ATLAS.ti;
• Qualtrics.

Note: this job does not require programming skills.

Excellent command of English (spoken and written) is required; advanced Dutch is a significant asset.

Master's students preferred; senior-year Bachelor's students will be considered. Students with a compelling non-academic background (entrepreneurship, community organising, etc.) are strongly encouraged to apply.

We offer temporary employment of 5-12 hours per week at the Department of Sociology. The exact amount of working hours is to be determined by mutual agreement and will be aligned with your availability. In general, we expect a minimum commitment of 5 hours per week. The initial employment is for a period to 1 February 2023. Upon positive evaluation and satisfactory performance, an extension to the spring of 2023 and beyond is possible.

Depending on the stage of your study, the minimum salary is € 2402 and the maximum salary is €2611 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, in keeping with salary scale SA, as per the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.

We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

What else do we offer

• a position in which initiative and input are highly valued;
• an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues;
• an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

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.

A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization. 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.

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