Assistant Professorship in Geopolitics and Connectivity | University of Groningen

Our partner, the Chair Group on History and Theory of International Relations, is advertising for an Assistant Professorship in Geopolitics and Connectivity at the University of Groningen. Application deadline: 24 April 2019.

Organisation

The Department of International Relations and International Organization (IRIO) at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Groningen offers one full-time position for an Assistant Professor on Geopolitics and Connectivity. The Department of IRIO is committed to top-tier research combined with high quality education. IRIO, with over 50 staff members, provides world-class, interdisciplinary and international bachelor and master degree programmes, and supports the PhD programme of the Graduate School for Humanities of the Faculty of Arts. Students and staff are drawn to studying international relations and the role of international organisation in an integrated manner from historical, political, economic and legal angles. The Department provides an international working environment for an increasing number of foreign students and research staff. The bachelor and master degree programmes are taught in English. There are currently about 1,000 students registered for the various IRIO programmes. Additionally, the Department contributes to the Erasmus Mundus 2-year master degree programme in Humanitarian Action, coordinated by the Network on Humanitarian Action (NOHA), the research masters in Modern History and International Relations, and the masters programme on Euroculture. Research in the Department of IRIO is organized through the Centre for IR Research (CIRR - https://www.rug.nl/(...)relations-research-/) around five chairs, respectively in: History & Theory of IR; IR and Security Studies; International Political Economy (IPE); History & Theory of European Integration; and Humanitarian Studies.

The Chair Group on History and Theory of International Relations (HTIR - https://www.rug.nl/(...)rnational-relations/), where the position will be located, organises its research around two overlapping themes: Modes of Reasoning about order, power and gouvernance; and The Politics of Global Connectivities. Common to them is a concern with understanding the (historical) making of orders of gouvernance as well as advancing and refining traditional and alternative methodological approaches to the study of history and theory of international relations. Methodological expertise across the group includes ethnographic and cultural research, genealogy, historical epistemology, operative social and political theory, and biography. Members of the group come from various intellectual traditions and are influenced and inspired mostly by critical social and political theory, constructivist approaches to global politics, and poststructuralist thought.

Job description

The position combines teaching (60%) and research (40%) in the field of International Relations, with an emphasis on critical geopolitics. In teaching, candidates are expected to provide BA- and MA-level courses, as well as support PhD supervision. Depending on the disciplinary background, candidates must be able to contribute to basic introductory courses in areas such as IR Theory, history of international relations, and/or social science research methodologies; as well as specialized courses for the new MA stream on Geopolitics and Connectivity. The supervision of students will play an important part in the position. Participation in managerial committees related to the organisation of the degree programmes or research grant applications will be expected. The candidate will be a team player and will have the flexibility to teach at advanced and introductory levels.

In research the candidate is expected to contribute to the development of the theme The Politics of Global Connectivities. We are looking for candidates with a specific interest in theorising space and power that can contribute to widening the understanding of how ideas of geopolitics and connectivity contribute to the constitution of orders of gouvernance. Interaction and complementarity with other areas of intellectual strength in the chair group such as socio-political theory, theory of international relations and historical epistemologies of order, power and gouvernance will be an advantage. The candidate will develop her/his own research projects (both individually and in small teams) and will contribute to wider research initiatives within the University and beyond. If appointed, the candidate is expected to actively contribute to a vibrant research environment by conducting and generating top research in international relations and by pursuing research grants and other forms of external funding.

Qualifications

The candidate will work in an interdisciplinary department and will ideally have a background in International Relations or in Cultural/Human Geography. The candidate will be expected to contribute to the development of international relations as a field of intellectual enquiry regardless of disciplinary background.

The candidate's qualities are demonstrated by:
● a completed PhD in International Relations, Cultural or Human Geography, or a cognate area
● proven research results, supported by a list of at least two peer-reviewed articles published in indexed journals
● further research potential and plans supported by a programme of research for the next three years indicating its contributions towards developing the theme of the politics of global connectivities
● teaching experience at university level
● a University Teaching Qualification or the willingness to gain one within a year
● excellent command of English (at least CEFR B2/C1 level for reading, listening, writing and speaking)
● having or gaining understanding of the Dutch language (CEFR B2 for reading and listening and CEFR B1 for writing and speaking) within two years (possibilities for Dutch language courses are offered by the University)
● excellent social and communicative skills and ability to work in groups.

Conditions of employment

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:
• a salary dependent on qualifications and work experience starting from a minimum of € 3,637 gross per month (salary scale 11 Dutch Universities) to a maximum of € 5,656 gross per month (scale 12) for a full-time position. The gross salary is excluding 8% holiday pay and 8.3% end-of-year gratification and participation in a pension scheme for employees
• a full-time position (1.0 FTE)
• an appointment initially on a temporary basis for 4 years with the possibility of becoming a permanent position following a positive ‘Results and Development’ assessment. The assessment for a permanent position is possible from the 3rd year onwards.

The starting date for this appointment is 1 September 2019.

Application
Do you meet our qualification criteria? If yes, your application should include:
• a letter of motivation (cover letter) where the candidate clearly states his/her teaching and research potential and the expected contributions to the Department and University at large
• a curriculum vitae detailing teaching and research experience
• two academic referees with their contact details (references at this stage are not required)
• a list of publications
• a plan for research for the next three years (max. 2000 words).

You can submit your application until 24 April 23:59pm / before 25 April 2019 Dutch local time by means of the application form (click on “Apply” below on the advertisement on the university website).

Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be taken into consideration.

The procedure will include a lecture or presentation as well as an interview. Samples of writing might be requested from shortlisted candidates. Please do not provide them in advance.

Interviews are scheduled to take place between 13-17 May 2019.

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our University. We are committed to building a diverse faculty so you are encouraged to apply. Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers.

Information

For information you can contact:

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

Additional information

220px-Academiegebouw_Groningen_1858.jpg

Academy Building Groningen in 1858 / Academiegebouw Groningen in 1858. Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.