Assistant Professor Humane by Design/Creative Technology

We are seeking a colleague who can contribute to the development of Creative Technology at VU, including the new specialization module ‘Humane by Design’, planned for the second year. CreaTe provides education in English in this Bachelor of Science programme at Vrije Universiteit. Our research and teaching are linked to current socially relevant themes around Human-Centered Design, Design Anthropology, as well as Digital and Environmental Humanities. We expect the candidate to bring to this field practical expertise in design practice and thinking, knowledge of current developments in the field of design and technology, combined with an interest in humanities approaches to science, (digital) technology (including programming, Human interaction and AI), and can participate in an interdisciplinary, international academic network that enriches our approach to both science and humanities.

Your duties

• create a stimulating educational environment for students in the Creative Technology programme
• conduct innovative research (within the interfaculty research institute CLUE+ or the Network Institute) and publish in relevant national and international scientific journals
• work together with colleagues of CreaTe at both Twente and VU on the ongoing development of the educational programme of CreaTe@VU
• be active in the application and acquisition of external research grants, both individually and in cooperation with colleagues

The initial employment contract will affect a period of 18 months. After 15 months your performance will be evaluated in terms of quality of teaching, publication record, attempts to acquire research funding either individually or in consortia, academic service and valorisation.

On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €4,332 (scale 11) and a maximum €5,929 (scale 11), depending on your education and experience. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 1 FTE.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 31,000 students. We employ over 5,000 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

Faculty of Humanities
The Faculty of Humanities links a number of fields of study: Language, Literature and Communication, Art & Culture, History, Antiquities and Philosophy. Our teaching and research focus on current societal and scientific themes: from artificial intelligence to visual culture, from urbanization to the history of slavery, from ‘fake news’ in journalism to communication in organizations. We strive to ensure small group sizes. Innovative education and interdisciplinary research are our hallmarks.

Working at the Faculty of Humanities means making a real contribution to the quality of leading education and research in an inspiring and personal work and study climate. We employ more than 450 staff members, and we are home to around 2,000 students.

About CreaTe
In order to develop more talent for the engineering domains, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has started a partnership with the University of Twente, and offers bachelor and master programs from VU Amsterdam together with University of Twente, at the location of VU Amsterdam. One of these programmes is Creative Technology. Working in this context means that you will be part of a unique merger that doubles your opportunities. You will be working for two universities that together train broadly developed technical talent. At the cutting edge of every conceivable science, you will work towards a resilient, sustainable, digital society.

Education in the context of Creative Technology
The bachelor programme Creative Technology is an interdisciplinary program in which the latest smart technology and interactive media for developing solutions that will contribute to a better future for people and society are taught, as well as the principles of Humane by Design. Throughout the many hands‐on projects, students gain technical knowledge and skills, as well as the ability to understand how media and technology influence humans, design and creative processes. Using extensive knowledge of computer science and electrical engineering, students learn to cover the entire creation process: from identifying the core question to building a working prototype and testing it with users.

The programme is taught in English