Excellent research assessments and growing student numbers enable the Department of Media Studies and Journalism of the University of Groningen to hire an assistant professor in Journalism Studies.

We are looking for a candidate who has a focus on digital journalism and wants to collaborate on our strategic research theme “New interdependencies in journalism” that studies how novel interdependencies are changing journalism. We particularly ask how digital transformations affect journalism’s autonomy and its functions, by focusing on its entangled relationships with other fields, institutions and actors in society at all levels, from sources to producers and audiences to platforms. While in earlier decades we might have considered these relationships in terms of journalism confronting new digital challenges, adapting to each in turn, we now observe journalism’s relationships with the rest of the social world as rendered fundamentally different.

The successful candidate should be able to teach courses in media studies on the BA and MA level, and contribute to our research programme. The position combines teaching (60%) and research (40%).

The candidate is expected to teach in our English-taught BA programme ‘Media Studies’, our Dutch and international MA programmes in Journalism, and our minor programme in Journalism Studies. Depending on their expertise, they may also teach in our international MA programmes ‘Media Creation and Innovation’, ‘Datafication and Digital Literacy’ and ‘Social Media and Society’.

Media Studies in Groningen

The MA programmes in Journalism combine academic reflection and research with professional skills, focusing on high quality reporting in a cross-media setting with a strong emphasis on digital skills and innovation. The department admits max. 60 MA students on a yearly basis after a rigorous selection procedure. The minor program in Journalism addresses a range of developments in the field of journalism studies, providing courses to students from a range of disciplines within the university.

The international, English-taught BA programme in Media Studies focuses on the social and informative functions of media. It is rooted in the humanities but also draws upon methods and paradigms developed in the social sciences and other disciplines. The degree aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of the affordances of different platforms and the interplay between them; the political and economic underpinnings of media systems; patterns of use, production and content; and the functions and impact of media in culture and society. Throughout the curriculum it provides a comparative perspective by studying media in their cultural, historical, economic, political and international contexts. The programme has an annual enrolment of 120-140 students from all parts of the world.

The MA programmes ‘Datafication and Digital Literacy’, ‘Social Media and Society’, and ‘Media Creation and Innovation’ provide students with cutting-edge knowledge of the digital transformations that profoundly change society. Our BA and MA programmes rank first among all Media Studies programmes in the Netherlands in the national student survey.

Research is conducted within the interdisciplinary Centre for Media and Journalism Studies, which has been rated as “excellent/world-leading” in the last Research Review. Members of the Centre have been successful in recent years in attracting external research funding. If appointed, the candidates are expected to actively contribute to a vibrant research environment. They are provided ample support in applying for bids with national and international funding agencies.

The successful applicant is expected to:

  • teach and supervise students in the department’s undergraduate and graduate programmes. International candidates will teach solely in English. They are expected to follow a Dutch language course
  • participate actively in curriculum development, design and administration of course modules
  • conduct and generate top research in media studies or communication studies
  • pursue research grants and other forms of external funding
  • participate actively in international research networks and build international collaborations
  • participate actively in the activities of the interdisciplinary research Centre for Media and Journalism Studies.

Qualifications

In addition to a number of basic requirements set by the University of Groningen, such as excellent social and communication skills, presentation skills, coaching skills and a results-oriented attitude, we are looking for candidates who have:

  • a PhD in Journalism -, Media -, Communication Studies, or related fields
  • wide-ranging knowledge in Journalism Studies, preferably with a focus on the digital transformation of journalism
  • teaching experience at university level and proven didactic abilities
  • gained their University Teaching Qualification or are prepared to do so within one year
  • an excellent research track record, including relevant publications
  • an outstanding national and international academic network as well as strong contacts with professionals in the field
  • willingness to make substantial contributions to the development of the Department’s research and educational programmes
  • organisational experience and skills
  • excellent command of English (at least CEFR B2/C1 level for reading, listening, writing and speaking), and the willingness to learn Dutch in due course.

Organisation

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 36,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study- and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international centre of knowledge: It belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.

The Faculty of Arts is a large, dynamic faculty in the heart of the city of Groningen. It has more than 5000 students and 700 staff members, who are working at the frontiers of knowledge every day. The Faculty offers a wide range of degree programmes: 15 Bachelor’s programmes and over 35 Master’s specialisations. Our research, which is internationally widely acclaimed, covers Media and Journalism Studies, Archaeology, Cultural Studies, History, International Relations, Language and Literary Studies, and Linguistics.

Conditions of employment

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• a minimum of € 3,974 (salary scale 11) to a maximum of € 6,181 (salary scale 12) gross per month for a full-time position a full-time position (1.0 FTE)
• a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income
• an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance
• minimum of 29 holidays and additional 12 holidays in case of full-time employment
• participation in a pension scheme for employees.

The position entails a contract combining 60% teaching tasks with 40% research-time. Favourable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

There is a probationary period of 18 months. After a positive assessment at the end of this period the contract will be converted into a permanent one. The candidate is expected to live and work in Groningen for this position.

The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU). For more detailed information about working conditions and working for the University of Groningen, please check: https://www.rug.nl/(…)k-with-us/new-staff/

Application

Applications should include the following:

  • a cover letter that explains the motivation for applying for this position
  • a full curriculum vitae including a full list of publications and talks
  • a research plan of 1-2 pages that includes future ideas for projects and grant applications
  • a teaching statement that outlines your teaching philosophy and contains a description of courses taught and teaching qualifications
  • the names and contact details of two academic referees.

Applications that are incomplete or are otherwise faulty will not be taken into account.

You may apply for this position until 3 November 11:59pm / before 4 November 2022 Dutch local time (CET) by means of the application form (click on “Apply” below on the advertisement on the university website).

Job interviews will be held in the week of November 7.

Preferred date of entry into employment is 1 February 2023.

The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/(…)rsity-and-inclusion/
Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/sollicitatiecode/ and European Commission’s European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

We provide career services for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen.

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Information

For information you can contact:

  • Prof. Marcel Broersma, Professor of Media and Journalism Studies, +31 50-363 5955, m.j.broersma@rug.nl
  • Drs. Miralda Meulman (about the formal procedure) Degree programme coordinator, +31 50-363 8950, sec.amc@rug.nl

Please do not use the e-mail address(es) above for applications.

Apply

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