Assistant Professor in Aesthetics with a focus on Critical Race/Decolonial Theory and Film (EXPIRED)

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 for Cultural Analysis (ASCA), one of the five research schools of the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research. ASCA is home to more than 100 researchers and more than 140 PhD candidates, and conducts world-leading research in Cultural Analysis. ASCA members share a commitment to studying culture in all its forms and expressions within an interdisciplinary framework, and to maintaining a close connection with contemporary cultural and political debates. All ASCA research fits into at least one, but usually more than one of five thematic constellations: 1) Mediality; 2) Arts & Aesthetics; 3) Globalization & Migration; 4) Identities; and 5) Cultural & Social Critique. Across these constellations, ASCA is seeking to build expertise on Global South cultures and critical race and decolonial theory.

 The position will be embedded within the department of Philosophy in the capacity group ‘Critical Cultural Theory’ (CCT). This capacity group investigates art, cultural production/analysis, and aesthetics as forms of critique, specific experiences of modernity and “ways of worldmaking.” The position will be shared with the Media Studies department of the Faculty of Humanities, which offers both depth and diversity in its approaches to the study of media, with a wide range of academic offerings and research interests. It is the largest department of Media Studies in the Netherlands and is consistently highly ranked in international rankings. Our fields of expertise include Film studies, Cross-media culture, New Media and Digital Culture, Information studies, Digital humanities, Journalism, Archival Studies, Globalisation Studies, and Digital Heritage.

 Tasks and responsibilities:

• Designing and conducting independent research on aesthetics, critical race/decolonial theory and, ideally, film-philosophy, 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 the interdisciplinary research activities of ASCA;
• developing, coordinating and teaching courses in both Dutch and English, in the Bachelor and Master programmes;
• 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 as directed.

 What do you have to offer?

 Your research will be in contemporary aesthetics. We are looking for a dynamic teacher/scholar who couples an engagement with media, arts, and cultures in different traditions with competencies in critical philosophy of race and post- or decolonial theory. The candidate should be interested in teaching students of philosophy as well as students in film and media studies. The position will be a joint appointment in the departments of philosophy and media studies.

 You are able to develop and teach modules on aesthetics, critical race/decolonial theory, and film-philosophy. Important is proven flexibility in teaching on topics beyond your own research focus, a willingness to work in interdisciplinary teams of teachers and the ability to offer inspiring lectures and tutorials in the BA, MA and minor programmes that aspire to a wide range of students.

 Your experience and profile:

• holds a PhD in Philosophy, Cultural Theory, or a related field, with a research focus in Aesthetics and Critical Race or Decolonial Theory and an interest in Film-Philosophy. A strong background in 20th and 21st Century Philosophy is expected.
• holds an international academic network in the research area concerned;
• provides research output commensurate with the level of the position;
• active and ambitious researcher with a strong publication record;
• demonstrable ability and ambition to obtain external research grants;
• broad and relevant teaching experience at 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 and 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;
• experienced in valorisation and practice-based education and/or research;
• good team player and versatile at all levels, capable of multidisciplinary co-operation;
• excellent organisational experience and skills;
• acquired the Dutch Basic Teaching Qualification, or is willing to acquire this within the first two years.

Qualifications in one or more areas of Africana, Asian, Latinx/Latin American, Afro-European, or African American philosophy, Feminist Philosophy/Gender Theory, and Environmental Aesthetics are desirable. Expertise in Critical Phenomenology or Critical Theory is highly desirable. An orientation toward African or Latin-American cinemas will be an advantage.

 What can we offer you?

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 01 August 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.

About us

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.

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.

 Any questions?

 Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact (during office hours):

 Monique Roelofs, Professor of Philosophy of Art and Culture, [email protected]

or

Patricia Pisters, Professor of Film Studies, [email protected] 

 Job Application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the link. The deadline for applying for this vacancy is 31 March 2022.

Applications, including a letter of motivation, a detailed CV, a list of publications and the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation, should be submitted in one .pdf.

Only complete applications received within the response period via the employer's website will be considered.

The interviews will be held in the course of April - May 2022. A trial lecture may be part of the application procedure.