In the context of the sector plan for the Humanities titled 'Tradition in transition', the faculty currently has a vacant Assistant Professor position as part of the research theme Cultural Heritage and Identity. Within this research theme the focus is on material and immaterial heritage, including digital Humanities, and on cultural heritage and societal changes.

What are you going to do?

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 for Heritage, Memory and Material Culture (AHM), one of the five research schools of the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research.

AHM, as a thematic research school, is the research base for a broad spread of disciplines from Heritage, Memory and Museum Studies, to Archaeology, Conservation and Restoration, media studies and Art History. Museums and heritage sites are privileged sites of preserving, valuing, contesting and reinterpreting memory, often by means of material culture.

You will teach a selection of Modern Greek language courses and courses in Modern Greek history, literature and culture, society, and national identity, as well as comparative courses in the Languages, Culture, and Region BA programmes of the Department of Modern and Foreign Languages and relevant (R)MA programmes of the faculty, which offers a dynamic context with ample opportunities for the development of innovative pedagogy and research-led education.

The Department of Modern Greek Language & Culture is part of the Department of Modern and Foreign Languages (MVTC) in the Faculty of Humanities. It is located in the historical centre of Amsterdam and home to scholars with a diverse range of research and teaching interests. It offers a three-year BA programme that trains students to become experts in Modern Greek and Cypriotic languages, cultures, and societies. Students of the programme gain specialized topical and historical cultural, societal, and linguistic knowledge as well as broader comprehension of the region in transnational perspectives. The department also participates in various graduate programmes in the faculty, including the Research MA Literary Studies and the MA programs Literature, Culture and Society and Midden-Oostenstudies.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• designing and conducting independent research on topics in Modern Greek studies, with special attention for the closely interconnected fields of cultural heritage, identity, and language. Existing expertise in studies of social change, social mobility, conflict, borders, and migration is a bonus. The research will result 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 contributing to and developing national and international research networks and other forms of cooperation.
• actively contributing to the research activities of the Amsterdam School for Heritage, Memory, and Material Culture (AHM) and to the school's research priority areas as outlined here, as well as the activities of the Amsterdam Centre for European Studies (ACES).
• developing, (co-)coordinating, and teaching courses in both Dutch and English, in the BA in Modern Greek Language and Culture and relevant (R)MA programmes across the faculty a well as with European partners.
• 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 engaging in departmental administrative tasks.
• actively contributing to the interdisciplinary collaboration of the sector plan research theme Cultural Heritage and Identity.

Alongside an excellent research profile (see below), you are able to provide, participate, and develop analogous programming for, among other options, the following range of possible allocated BA and/or (R)MA courses: Modern Greek Language & Culture modules; Memory and Conflict: Greece, Turkey and Cyprus; the Mediterranean and Europe; Griekenland, Cyprus & Europa; (this, this and this link lead you to relevant programme and course descriptions. You will offer research-led core and elective courses that contribute to the existing BA in Modern Greek Language and Culture, the minor Mediterranean Studies, the master Midden-Oostenstudies, and other relevant BA and (R)MA programmes, and attract students from other disciplines. At the same time, you are flexible in teaching on topics beyond your own research focus, willing to work in interdisciplinary teams of teachers, and able to offer lectures and classes that appeal to a wide range of students.

Your experience and profile:

• You hold a PhD in the humanities or relevant fields such as Modern Greek language and culture and/or in Modern Greek memory and/or history studies, ideally with special attention for cultural heritage and language.
• Your research aligns with one or more of AHM's research priority areas named above.
• You participate in international academic networks.
• You have a strong publication record in the scholarly fields that are relevant to this position and will produce research output of international standing, including peer-reviewed articles, books, chapters etc., as well as work of broader public interest.
• You demonstrate the ability and ambition to obtain external research grants.
• You have broad and relevant teaching experience in Modern Greek language and culture at BA and (R)MA level.
• You are open to and interested in interdisciplinary collaboration.
• You have an excellent command of Modern Greek and of both Dutch and English. If you do not speak Dutch, an active and passive command must be acquired within two years of the employment contract and the state examination for Dutch as a Second Language programme II must be passed.
• You have experience with digital and audio-visual teaching facilities and IT in university teaching.
• You are experienced in valorisation and able to communicate with wider audiences.
• You are a good team player and versatile at all levels, capable of multidisciplinary co-operation.
• You have excellent organisational experience and skills.
• You hold the Dutch Basic Teaching Qualification or are willing to acquire this within the first two years.

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 € 3974 (scale 11) to € 6181 (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.