internal vacancy- Core Lecturer Computational Social Science

Would you like to help students become future change-makers and pioneers in computational social science? Are you passionate about project-based teaching and eager to apply transdisciplinary education to its fullest potential?

Digitisation poses new questions and challenges for our societies, but it also brings new opportunities to intervene in societal issues such as inequality and climate change. Our unique undergraduate programme in Computational Social Science focuses on digital interventions for complex societal problems. As we are a new and growing programme, we are looking for lecturers to join our team and make an active contribution to teaching and course development. All Core Lecturers facilitate workshops and supervise and support a learning team of our students during the course of their projects and degree programme.

The undergraduate programme Computational Social Science is a joint initiative of three faculties of the University of Amsterdam. Scientifically grounded in social sciences, informatics and humanities expertise, Computational Social Science students develop skills to design, create, apply and appropriate digital technology and data science to benefit society. All teaching activities are centred around projects within intensive, semester-length courses of 30 ECTS and require active involvement from each student.

What are you going to do

As a Core Lecturer, you will take the lead in innovative teaching activities within our transdisciplinary, project-based curriculum. You will do so in close consultation with the team of core lecturers, with the examiners of the semester courses, experts across the three faculties, and in alignment with learning trajectory objectives. You will supervise several groups of students at an individual and group level in a small-scale setting. You will coach and guide them throughout their projects with external partners, including their (capstone) graduation projects, and monitor their academic progress. You will also teach and supervise workshops.

What do you have to offer

You

hold a PhD degree or are a PhD candidate near to completion in a relevant discipline to Computational Social Science or related interdisciplinary field;

• identify as a computational social scientist;
• have affinity with, and interest in interdisciplinary teaching and/or research;
• have excellent English language skills (proficiency in Dutch or willingness to learn Dutch is a plus);
• have experience in teaching and activating student learning in a university setting;
• have experience in course design and course development, preferably within a project-based curriculum;
• are familiar with the particular challenges that students may encounter while learning computer programming and computational data analysis (or are willing to learn more about this);

• are skilled in research methods;
• are skilled in scientific programming;
• have a willingness to become an academic mentor to students;

have a willingness to contribute to Computational Social Science as a community.

We are particularly interested in candidates with a background in changemaking, (data) ethics, and the theoretical underpinnings of computational social science.

Experience in coaching students at an individual or group level is a plus.

Qualified candidates with a background in community organizing, entrepreneurship, or similar are encouraged to apply.

What can we offer you

We offer a temporary contract at the Department of Sociology. The start date will be as soon as possible; we expect the successful candidate to be able to join the semester team late August. Employment will be for a period of one year and up to 38 hours per week.

Depending on the staffing situation, and upon positive evaluation and satisfactory performance, you may be offered a permanent contract.

The gross monthly salary based on a full-time employment (38 hours per week) ranges from €4,332 up to a maximum of €5,929 gross per month. The starting salary will be based on qualifications, expertise and relevant work experience. The profile “Teacher 3” is applicable in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.

We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

What else do we offer

• a position that highly values a can-do attitude and fully encourages you to take initiative;
• a dedicated programme team that is enthusiastic about innovative teaching in which student learning and social engagement take centre stage;
• an inspiring academic and international work environment in the city centre of Amsterdam.

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization. The social and behavioral sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Questions

Do you have any questions about the position or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Eelke Heemskerk, programme director Computational Social Science, E.M.Heemskerk@uva.nl

Job Application

The Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences strives for and puts conscious efforts into having a work and academic environment that is inclusive. We commit to providing the grounds for equal treatment and empowering you to become a full participating member of our academic community, regardless of your background, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and/or age. We especially invite members from historically disadvantaged/under-represented groups to apply. If this vacancy speaks to you, but you are uncertain whether you meet all requirements, please do apply. Given the department’s commitment to diversity, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates, and specifically from people with backgrounds underrepresented in academia.

Do you recognise yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 4 July 2024.

Applications should include the following documents bundled in a single .pdf:

• a curriculum vitae;
• a letter of motivation.

Candidates may expect a response to their application within two weeks.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please.

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