The research group Digital Approaches to Sacred Texts (DAST) of the Faculty of Religion and Theology has a vacancy for an assistant professor for three years. The assistant professor will support this research group and be involved in its research projects.

Your duties

• Supporting the research group Digital Approaches to Sacred Texts, both in the development of existing and new research lines in the field of digital humanities and religious texts and in practical issues, such as website maintenance and convening research group meetings.
• Involvement in the research projects of this group. The research group has traditionally a focus on Hebrew and Syriac texts, but is expanding its scope to other texts, language and traditions, including Greek, Arabic and Ge’ez. Your involvement in these projects will depend on your own fields of expertise. For the current projects see the website > projects.
• Contributions to the teaching of the courses offered by the research group.

• Acquaintance with at least two Semitic languages such as Hebrew and Syriac
• Programming skills that are applicable in Digital Humanities (e.g. Python, familiarity with Linux)
• A completed dissertation in a relevant field preferably related to the intersection of Digital Humanities, Semitic Languages and Biblical Studies

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 3 year.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.345,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 6.148,00 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 3, Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will last 3 year.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• space for personal development
• optional model for designing a personalised benefits package
• the possibility to work partly from home

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Research Team Digital Approaches to Sacred Texts (DAST) / Eep Talstra Centre for Bible and Computer (ETCBC)
The Research Team Digital Approaches to Sacred Texts deepens its research by applying cutting-edge innovation to the study of the Hebrew Bible. They use technological solutions like co-reference resolution, Neural Networks and Machine Learning. Besides that the team broadens its scope by including other languages (Sanskrit, Arabic, Syriac, Greek) and religious text corpora.tle.

Faculty of Religion and Theology
The Faculty of Religion and Theology at VU Amsterdam is the leading centre of expertise for the study of religion in society in the Netherlands. Our students, lecturers and researchers are critically engaged with the major religious and societal themes relevant for today. From holy scripture and pastoral care to peace studies and contemporary spirituality.

We are the most comprehensive theological faculty in the world, with ten seminaries that encompass all world religions and many Christian denominations. Together we explore issues of faith and belief. We are open to each other’s ideas in our quest for knowledge, values and truth. Together we expand our horizons, strengthen our understanding and find new pathways in a time of huge social upheaval.

Are you interested in joining Religion and Theology? That means contributing to excellence in research and education connected to spiritual commitment, personal engagement and social responsibility. You will join over 100 colleagues at FRT.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.