The
department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning is searching for an early career academic in international development studies, human geography, and linked social science disciplines. The ideal candidate will have special expertise in land and climate investments and social and climate justice in the context of sustainability transitions and development.
Your job You will join the International Development Studies (IDS) Group at the department. Embedded in the Urban Futures research programme and actively engaged in Utrecht University’s strategic research themes: Pathways to Sustainability, Institutions for Open Societies, and Dynamics of Youth, IDS has specialised in understanding ‘development’ in particular places from translocal and transnational perspectives, in a context of rapidly changing flows of capital and of people. Looking at the world as an interconnected place, an important starting point for our approach is an understanding that what occurs in one locality will, to a large degree, depend on what is occurring in other places or, more precisely, on how local agencies interact with external (e.g., global, regional) forces. Focusing on the crossroads of migration and investment flows, we analyse the consequences of new flows and circulations (of people, goods, capital and knowledge) for inclusive and sustainable development in Asia, Africa and Latin America, focusing on the implications for sustainable livelihoods and human wellbeing.
You have previous research activities, including project acquisition and publication record reflecting a strong interest and proven expertise in the field of critical development geography, development sociology and the related discipline. We are especially interested in applicants with a research profile focusing on developmental issues related to politics of land, natural resources and climate change, which shapes global investments in infrastructure, extractivism and conservation and their impacts in various geographies in particular in the Global South, including Asia, Africa and Latin America. We welcome researchers with experiences of co-creating knowledge with academic and societal partners at a global scale to further develop our transdisciplinary research agenda. In particular, those who have affinity with and interest in developing research agenda for equitable and sustainable land governance in the context of climate change are welcome, as a part of the IDS’s contribution to the LANDac network.
You have demonstrated experience in teaching both individually and as part of the team. Affinity to conducting and teaching empirical research, and quantitative and mixed methods is desired. You will also co-develop and coordinate courses in the Dutch-taught Bachelor programme in Human Geography and Spatial Planning and in English taught Master programme in International Development Studies as well as in Research Master in Global Urban Transformations. For this reason, language proficiency in both Dutch and English is required.
The position involves 60% teaching and 40% research time.
As an assistant professor, your core tasks include:
- teaching Bachelor's and Master's level courses;
- Bachelor's and Master's thesis supervision;
- research, project acquisition and publishing and generating societal impact;
- PhD supervision;
- building and strengthening research and education networks within and outside Utrecht University in the field of International Development.
We believe in a balance between individual and collective achievements. Therefore, we will assess candidate’s qualifications both on individual and team performance. We stimulate inclusive academic leadership at all levels.