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 of Historical Studies (ASH), 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. Depending on your expertise, you will join one of the research groups/centres within ASH, for example those on urban history or modern history, and/or help establish a new research group focused on public history.

The position will be embedded within the department of History, European Studies & Religious Studies in the capacity group History. Historians at the UvA explore history in all its breadth and complexity.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• designing and conducting independent research in the field of Public History of Slavery in the Early Modern or Modern Period, 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 contributing to and developing national and international research networks and other forms of cooperation;
• actively contributing to and developing meaningful interactions with museums, heritage sites, cultural institutions, government agencies and communities on (interpretations of) slavery’s history in the public arena;
• actively contributing to the research activities of the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies;
• developing, coordinating and teaching courses, in Dutch and English, in the Bachelor and (Research) Master programmes in History;
• 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.

What do we require

You are a dynamic, ambitious and innovative researcher with a strong profile, demonstrable by international publications and an international academic network. Your publications show a broad knowledge of and engagement with either the public production of relevant histories (in the form of exhibitions, films or other public projects) and/or a research focus analyzing the traces of the history of slavery in, for example, the built environment, monuments and museum collections, or representations of this past in popular culture. Your work is interdisciplinary, with attention to innovative approaches to material culture and the archive. Your research matches the profile of the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies.

You are able to develop and provide disciplinary and interdisciplinary modules on the history of slavery in the Early Modern or Modern Period and/or the legacy of slavery in modern society, in the Netherlands, Europe, South America or North America, within the Bachelor and Master programmes in History. In particular, you will contribute to the further development of the UvA Public History and/or American Studies MA track. Important is proven flexibility in teaching topics beyond your own research focus, a willingness to work in interdisciplinary teams and the ability to offer inspiring lectures and tutorials in the BA, MA and minor programmes that could attract a wide range of students.

Your experience and profile:

• a PhD in (Public) History or a related discipline in the Humanities;
• an international academic network in the research area concerned;
• preferably a relevant network in the field of heritage institutions;
• active and ambitious researcher with a strong publication record, commensurate with the level of the position;
• demonstrable ability and ambition to obtain external research grants;
• broad and relevant teaching experience, preferably at both the BA and MA level;
• excellent command of both Dutch and English. If Dutch is not the mother tongue, an active and passive command 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 and audiovisual teaching facilities and affinity with IT in university teaching;
• proven track record in developing successful public history projects together with partners such as archival repositories and museums and through different media.
• willing to take an active part in the administrative and collegial life in the Department;
• excellent organisational experience and skills;
• acquired the Dutch Basic Teaching Qualification or is willing to acquire this within the first two years.

Our offer

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 contract is for 38 hours a week. Preferred starting date is between 1 August and 1 September 2022.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week, ranges between €3,821 (scale 11) to €5,943 (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.

University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 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.

Faculty of Humanities

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.