In the context of the sector plan for the Humanities titled 'Tradition in transition' and the faculty's profile, the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies currently has a vacant Assistant Professor position as part of the research theme Humane AI. Within this research theme the focus is on data and platforms for social, cultural and economic innovation. Amsterdam School of Historical Studies is one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research

What are you going to do?

In the context of the Sectorplan Investments in the Humanities (https://www.sectorplan-ssh.nl/), the University of Amsterdam intends to grow its teaching and research in Humane AI. We are looking for a colleague who will teach and conduct research on the various ways in which Digital History can help us analyse texts, images, spaces and/or networks, and can reflect on the application of Artificial Intelligence in historical research and university teaching. You will take a leading role in helping our department transition to more fully integrating digital history theories, methodologies, and practices in both our teaching and our research. 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 of Historical Studies, one of the five research schools of the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research. ASH represents and fosters the study of the human past from Antiquity to the present day. It brings together more than 200 academics from Amsterdam's Faculty of Humanities, who participate in ca. 25 research groups. You will be expected to help further develop the newly established Digital History research group and to take part in one of the other thematic groups that matches your research interests.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• designing and conducting independent research on Digital History resulting 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 collaborating with the Humanities Labs within the Faculty of Humanities and/or with researchers working within the Humanities Cluster of the KNAW, actively contributing to and developing national and international research networks
• actively contributing to the research activities of the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies;
• developing, coordinating and teaching courses in both Dutch and English, in the Bachelor and Master programmes;
• 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.
• taking part in the activities of the research priority area Human(e) AI;
• actively contributing to the interdisciplinary collaboration of the sector plan research theme Humane AI.

You are a researcher in the field of digital history with a proven interest in AI in historical research. Your work innovatively applies digital methodologies to important historical problems and reflects on the impact of the digital turn on the ways history is interpreted and narrated through a range of (digital) media. In this context, you are able to reflect on the uses, pitfalls and but above all the benefits of a variety of digital techniques for historical research and teaching. You have an interest in learning new technological skills, and show an ability and enthusiasm to share this knowledge with students and colleagues alike. You have a proven flair for collaborative projects with colleagues in the history domain as well as in the domain of digital humanities and Humane AI. Your research matches the profile of the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies and the Research Priority Area Human(e) AI (https://humane-ai.nl/about/), but can focus on any geographical or temporal area. We highly value the networks and connections in the field of Digital Humanities that you may bring and/or develop , both inside the department and the wider faculty (particularly with the so-called Humanities Labs) and with partners outside the faculty and the university (e.g. the KNAW Humanities cluster, https://huc.knaw.nl/).

You are able to develop and teach courses on digital history and/or AI applications in history from either a historical or an interdisciplinary perspective. In particular, you will contribute to the further development of the digital historical skills labs . We value your ability to offer inspiring lectures and tutorials in our BA and MA programmes that could attract a wide range of students, as well as a creative approach to engaging a wide range of stakeholders on your research topics both inside and outside the university. You are committed to fostering an inclusive classroom.

We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse academic community and are especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching and/or service, to this mission.

Your experience and profile:

• a PhD in the Humanities;
• have proven experience in using digital history methodologies in both research and teaching.
• have proven experience in working on projects that have included the development and/or applications of AI methodologies.
• have a background in either historical multimodal text/image research and/or networks /spatial analysis.
• have a research focus that fits one of the current thematic research groups within ASH (beyond the Digital History group as such).
• have proven affinity for team and collaborative work both within and beyond the realm of digital history.
• have a proven interest in learning new digital techniques and skills
• Knowledge of Python and/or R is welcomed
• you either have or show clear potential for developing a strong publication record commensurate with the stage of your academic career;
• an international academic network in the research area concerned, or a willingness to develop one;
• ability and ambition to obtain external research and/or project grants;
• experience with research-led teaching in a higher education context and a strong commitment to personal development in teaching
• willingness to take an active part in the administrative and collegial life in the department;
• strong command of both Dutch and English. If you are not a native Dutch speaker, an active and passive command of Dutch must be acquired within two years of the employment contract (the state examination for Dutch as a Second Language programme II must be passed);
• experience with digital teaching facilities and affinity with IT in university teaching;
• a Dutch Basic Teaching Qualification, or a willingness to acquire one within the first two years of your appointment.

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 € 3,974 (scale 11) to €6,181 (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.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact (during office hours):

• prof. Danielle Slootjes