The Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) invites applications for a

University Lecturer (UD) in Urban Studies / Environmental Humanities (0.8 – 1.0 FTE), starting date 1 August 2023

Vacancy number: 23-090 13416

The Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) seeks applicants for the position of University lecturer in Urban Studies/Environmental Humanities.We are looking for a candidate who will play an important interdisciplinary role within LUCAS, both in terms of content, organization and academic innovation. We are interested in candidates who have been trained within the humanities, with a specialisation in urban studies and environmental humanities. The University Lecturer is a promising expert in the relevant research fields, has an interdisciplinary network, and is capable of instigating new research. The candidate will strengthen LUCAS’ research profile and will help developing the Institute and its collaborations further, both nationally and internationally. We are searching for a candidate who feels at home and has proficiency in interdisciplinary research, is interested in working together with scholars from different disciplines and institutes, and all this in relation to current and future societal, urban and environmental challenges. The candidate embraces the programmes that are headed by LUCAS in both Leiden and The Hague, possesses the capacity to fruitfully bring scholars together, within the Institute, the Faculty and beyond.

Tasks

• You will develop, teach and coordinate courses in the fields of urban humanities, environmental humanities and cultural studies at different levels (e.g., in the BA programme Urban Studies, the minor Questions of Justice in Art, Literature and Law, the MA Literary Studies or Media Studies/track Cultural Analysis, Leiden University College, and related programmes). The language of instruction is English and courses are taught both in Leiden and in The Hague;
• You are required to supervise BA and (Res)MA theses as well as internships in Dutch and English;
• You will help in recruiting students by contributing to open days, orientation and information sessions;
• You will participate in the development and implementation of educational innovations, also in digital form;
• You will contribute to our output within one of our research programmes, particularly in the fields of urban studies, environmental humanities, literary etudies, cultural analysis, literature and law, and will present the results in the form of publications, conference presentations and other means – to academic, professional/societal partners and wider audiences;
• You will acquire project funding at national and international level (NWO, ERC, Horizon Europe etc.)
• You may co-supervise PhD candidates;
• You are required to fulfill administrative duties within the BA/MA programme Urban Studies, the LUCAS institute and/or the Faculty of Humanities;
• You will actively participate in the academic community of the Institute;
• You are well-connected and eager to further develop an extensive network in the field.

Your profile

• You hold a PhD degree in the Humanities or Philosophy, with proven expertise in cultural history, cultural studies or cultural analysis;
• You bring expertise in the fields of urban humanities, environmental humanities, literary or (digital) media studies or art history, or literature and law, and have affinity with the city as an object of scholarship;
• You are aware of current issues, viewpoints and innovative methods within these fields;
• You are an innovative and inspiring teacher, with an inclusive approach to education and a strong commitment to teaching a diverse community of BA and (research) MA students;
• You are willing and able to meet the requirements for a Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO) within two years if you do not already possess a Dutch University Teaching Qualification;

• You can contribute to the research profile of LUCAS and have affinity with the institute’s aims, values and strategy (https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/centre-for-the-arts-in-society/research)
• You have a promising publication record, notably international peer-reviewed publications and/or monographs;
• You have experience with acquiring research or educational awards/grants;
• You are a clear communicator and team player, enthusiastic to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries, in both teaching and research;
• You possess the following competences: conceptual capacity, environment orientation, presenting skills, result orientation, organisational sensitivity.
• You have (near) native proficiency in Dutch and English (or willingness to master a C1 level of fluency in Dutch within two years, with funding being provided by the LUCAS institute);
• You live and are officially registered as resident in The Netherlands or are willing to relocate upon starting the position.

The organisation

The Faculty of Humanities at Leiden University is a unique international centre for the advanced study of languages, cultures, arts, and societies worldwide, in their historical contexts from prehistory to the present. Our faculty is home to more than 6,000 students and 800 staff members. For more information see: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities.

The Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS; https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/centre-for-the-arts-in-society) is one of the seven Academic Institutes of the Faculty of Humanities. We are dedicated to ground-breaking research that explores the multifaceted relationships between the arts and society. The institute hosts a range of academic disciplines clustered around a key research theme: the relationships between the arts and society. Our members study cultural production over the course of two millennia, from classical antiquity to our contemporary world. Strengthened by our diversity, LUCAS members are uniquely placed to study the broad concept of the arts, with its rapidly changing ideas, aesthetics, and theories of cultural production. Through research, expertise, and service, the Institute strives to facilitate a deeper understanding of the cognitive, historical, cultural, creative, and social aspects of human life.

We offer

We offer a position of 0.8 to 1.0 FTE (exact size tbd) initially for 1.5 years, with the possibility of an extension to a permanent position, based on funding, need and performance. The appointment will consist of 75% teaching/admin, and 25% research.The salary is in accordance with the collective salary agreement of the Association of Dutch Universities (CAO) and depending on qualifications and experience. The gross monthly salary is € 2,960,- (scale 10) to € 5,439,- (scale 11) for a full working week. Depending on qualifications, the appointee may start at the appropriate step in scale 10 until they fully meet the requirements for scale 11 as specified by the Faculty of Humanities, particularly with regard to teaching skills certification and the number of years of relevant work experience.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. https://www.workingat.leiden.edu/.

D&I statement

Fostering an inclusive community is a central element of the values and vision of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Digital Humanities expertise

We are particularly looking for candidates who have the digital knowledge and skills that are relevant for their field of research, and who are able to teach these.

Information

Enquiries can be made to Prof. Frans-Willem Korsten, professor of Literature, Culture and Law. Questions about the procedure can be directed at Mariska de Groot (im-lucas@hum.leidenuniv.nl). Information about LUCAS can be found at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/geesteswetenschappen/centre-for-the-arts-in-society and about Leiden University at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en.

How To Apply

Please submit your application via the online recruitment system, via the blue button at the top of this page, latest 16 March 23:59. Applications received via e-mail will not be taken into consideration. Your application should include:

• A letter of motivation including a discussion of the candidate’s current scholarship, future research plans, and vision on teaching (max. 2 A4);

• A CV including education and employment history, publications, courses taught and language proficiency;

• An outline of your research plans for the coming years, with clear potential for grant applications (max. 2 A4);

• Recent teaching evaluations;

• Names, positions, and email addresses of two referees (no reference letters); please list these on your cv rather than filling them out separately in the system.

(Online) interviews and teaching presentations will take place on April 5. The appointment will start 1 August 2023.