The Department of Media and Culture Studies of the Faculty of Humanities at Utrecht University is looking for an Assistant Professor with a profile in Gender and Postcolonial Studies starting as soon as possible but not later than January 15, 2024.

We are looking for a candidate with demonstrable motivation to teach, who is willing to work inter- and cross-disciplinary with colleagues in the Graduate Gender Programme and in the department of Media and Culture Studies at large and who possesses a proven commitment and talent for research.

We seek a new colleague who combines experience in research and teaching in intersectional feminist and postcolonial theory, with possible connected expertise in one or more of the following areas: feminist critical thinking, critical race theories, queer and trans studies, visual culture and aesthetics, (dis)ability studies, indigenous studies, environmental humanities, related to questions of social justice, political activism, migration, critical digital humanities and the role of media in a globalized world.

The candidate’s research adds to the Gender Studies research programme that consists of the following four thematic strands:

1. Cultural Critique
2. Colonial Legacies-Postcolonial Formations
3. Crossing/Contesting Boundaries
4. Critical Epistemologies

Your research will be part of the Cluster Gender, Culture and Postcoloniality and the research group Gender Studies in the Institute for Cultural Inquiry (ICON), with its research initiatives organized in connection to the Graduate Gender Programme (GGeP) and the Netherlands Research School of Gender Studies (NOG), the Postcolonial Studies Initiative (PCI), Terra Critica (TC), and other research initiatives. The position also offers possibilities for you to connect with Utrecht University’s Strategic Themes such as Institutions for Open Societies (Gender, Diversity & Global Justice and (In)equality platforms), Pathways to Sustainability (Critical Pathways), Dynamics of Youth, and the Research Focus Areas such as Migration and Societal Change and Governing the Digital Society.

Depending on your expertise, as Assistant Professor in the Cluster Gender, Culture and Postcoloniality you teach courses in the broad field of Gender and Postcolonial Studies, as well as engage in tutorials and methodological research seminars. You participate in the two BA-minors gender studies and postcolonial studies, the MA Gender Studies, and the RMA Gender Studies, as well as collaborate with Taal en Cultuur Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the EU Gemma programme. You collaborate with colleagues in (interdisciplinary) teaching teams and are also involved in the supervision of individual student projects such as internships as well as BA, MA and RMA theses.  

The Graduate Gender Programme is committed to uphold the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who work respectfully and constructively with differences and across levels of power. We actively encourage applications from members of groups experiencing barriers to equity.

We are looking for candidates specialised in Gender and Postcolonial Studies who are able to combine expertise in intersectional feminist and postcolonial theory. Further areas of specialisation are welcome connected to feminist critical thinking, critical race theories, queer and trans studies, visual culture and aesthetics, (dis)ability studies, indigenous studies, environmental humanities, related to questions of social justice, political activism, migration, critical digital humanities and the role of media in a globalised world.

We are looking for a colleague who is committed to furthering new and innovative developments in academic research, teaching, and to participating in interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships within and beyond the university and/or you are willing to explore the use of new methods in education, research and external partnerships.

As ideal candidate, you meet the following requirements:

• You hold a PhD in the Humanities or in a field relevant for this position, with a research focus on Gender and Postcolonial Studies.
• You have relevant teaching experience at Bachelor’s and (Research) Master’s level and with student supervision.
• You show a commitment to working in a team and for inclusive feminist education.
• You are an active and ambitious researcher with output that reflects this.
• You have a vision on teaching and your own contribution to teaching.
• You show considerable research output, evidence of which include a finished PhD and publications at an internationally recognised level.
• You have experience with or good prospects for acquiring external funding.
• You have excellent communication skills, strength in interpersonal relationships and in being a team player.
• You have acquired the Dutch Basic Teaching Qualification, or are willing to acquire this within the first two years.
• You are fluent in English, preferably close to near-native standard. If you do not have a native command of Dutch you are expected to obtain NT2-level spoken and written Dutch within two years of appointment.

We offer a temporary position (1.0 FTE) for one year in an international working environment. After positive evaluation, this can be turned into a permanent position. The allocation of 1.0 FTE is set to 40% research and 60% teaching. Within the 60% for teaching, there is 10% free space that will not be scheduled. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges between €3,974 and €5,439 (scale 11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus 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). For more information, please visit 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 strategic 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 1,100 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. With its research and education in these fields, 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 amenities in the historical city centre of Utrecht, where the Faculty is located, contribute to an inspiring working environment.

The core values of the faculty for Humanities are professionalism, transparency, responsibility, connectedness and safety. The core values apply to everyone and we uphold these values in our work and in our communication with each other and with others.

The Department of Media and Culture Studies supports teaching and research in the fields of film, television, games, new media and digital culture, theatre, dance and performance, gender and ethnicity, musicology and cultural policy. Culture is a dynamic mix of artistic, creative and everyday practices with which people shape their identities and actions, and within which societal structures and institutions take shape. Media (old and new) are crucial factors in these processes.