Professor of Philosophy of Art and Culture

The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strongly international profile in a large number of disciplines in the field of language, history, and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the Faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutions in the capital city. Almost 1,400 employees are affiliated with the Faculty, which has about 7,000 students. The Faculty of Humanities consists of eight departments.

Job description

The chair is part of the capacity group Critical Cultural Theory (CCT). The group covers, first and above all, aesthetics or philosophy of art as a philosophical discipline ranging from the middle of the 18th century to the present and following the European-continental tradition (from German idealism via Romanticism, Phenomenology and Critical Theory to Postmodernism and beyond). The group covers, secondly, philosophy and theory of culture, ranging from classical philosophical positions, again in the European-continental tradition, to sociological, ethnological and cultural-theoretical positions. “Culture” here has a broad meaning including contemporary forms of culture. The candidate’s interest should thus preferably embrace a variety of forms of art and culture, including those popular in today’s world. Therefore, the successful candidate has to cross borders easily between various disciplines.

Area of Specialization: Aesthetics, Philosophy of Culture
Areas of Competence: Continental Philosophy, and/or history of aesthetics

The successful candidate will be the chairperson of the Capacity Group CCT. The chairperson is expected to have regular meetings with the Head of Department and the Chairpersons of the other three research groups (Logic & Language/LLA, Philosophy and Public Affairs/PPA, and Philosophical Tradition in Context/PTC). The chairperson is expected, as well, to coordinate every year the assignment of teaching tasks to the group both with the staff, the BA- and MA-directors, and the administration. The managerial duties also include taking up the task of Head of Department.

More in general the candidate is expected to take an active role in the whole spectrum of activities of the Department of Philosophy, ranging from teaching and research to administration and academic as well public debates. The candidate will be a team player and has exquisite social skills. Put in simple words: the department would like to welcome a creative, open-minded and collegial person.

Teaching and research

The professor in Philosophy of Art and Culture is expected to play an important role in both BA and MA teaching as well as PhD supervision. In terms of research, the candidate will continue and expand the research profile of the capacity group and will be affiliated to the faculty research institute ASCA (Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis).

Requirements

Candidates for the position are expected to meet the following requirements:

• a PhD in philosophy or a related field;
• an excellent international reputation in aesthetics, philosophy of art and culture against the background of Continental Philosophy;
• an excellent academic publication record;
• an experienced and enthusiastic teacher on all levels of academic training;
• experience in developing new teaching programs;
• experience with collaborative projects;
• a proven track record of acquiring external research funding;
• experience in the supervision of PhD-tracks;
• an extensive national and international network with other academic and cultural institutions;
• the ability to contribute to knowledge exchange in public as well as academic settings;
• the ability to establish productive connections with other academic disciplines within as well as outside the department;
• proven excellent leadership qualities;
• exquisite social skills and a deeply collegial attitude.

All foreign employees appointed at the Faculty of Humanities are expected to have a good command of both written and spoken Dutch within two years. Please check the document Information for prospective chairs at the Faculty of Humanities.

Appointment

The appointment will be permanent. The gross salary will normally be conform professorial scale 2 i.e. between €5,582 and €8,127 gross per month (€77,902 to €113,420 per annum, including 8% holiday pay and an 8,3% end of year payment) on a full-time basis (38 hours per week). The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (Cao NU) applies. In certain cases, however, different terms of employment may be offered.

Further information

For further information, interested parties should contact:

• Mr Hotze Mulder, secretary of the selection committee
  T: +31 (0)20 525 3066
  or
• Prof. Beate Roessler, chair of the selection committee
  T: +31 (0)20 525 4516

Job application

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.

Candidates are invited to submit a letter of application in Dutch or English no later than Wednesday 5 February 2020, accompanied with a CV and a list of publications. The application should be addressed to The Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Fred Weerman, and should be sent in pdf-form by email to Hotze Mulder. Please indicate vacancy number 19-860 in the subject field.

Applications will be received by a selection committee headed by the chair of the department of Philosophy, Prof. Beate Roessler. Following a procedure which may involve a formal leadership assessment and a public trial lecture, the committee will make its final recommendation to the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities. #LI-DNP