Assistant Professor Science Communication and Science-Technology Interfaces

VU Hoofdgebouw

Amsterdam

0,8 / 1

Faculteit der Bètawetenschappen

Universitair Docent (UD)

Postdoctoraal

Sluit op

02-03-2025

Publicatiedatum

07-02-2025

Solliciteer direct

At the Athena Institute of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam we have a position for an Assistant Professor Science Communication and Science-Technology Interfaces. Read further and apply!

Jouw functie

Are you eager to dive deep into the dynamic dance between science, technology, and society? Can you unravel these intricate connections and use systems thinking to untangle complex webs of communication practices and challenges? Are you capable of facilitating stakeholders through immersive exercises to empower them to engage in transformation processes involving science and technology? If you answered each of these questions with a resounding YES, we warmly invite you to join our research team in making a meaningful scholarly and social impact.

As an Assistant Professor on our team, you view science communication through a transdisciplinary lens, recognizing interaction and communication challenges as integral to the complex dynamics between science and society. You will facilitate and engage in conversations on complex science and technology topics, fostering inclusive and meaningful discussions with diverse stakeholders. You will relate to various fields and traditions, such as science & technology studies, empirical philosophy, design or arts-based research, citizen science, and participatory democracy.

Your key tasks include conducting research, collaborating on acquisition, coordinating and teaching courses at the Athena Institute, and supervising MSc students during their internships. You will also guide junior lecturers, PhD students, and postdoc researchers. Active participation in coordination and strategic meetings is expected. Fluent Dutch is required, as many research activities are rooted in the local context.

Jouw profiel

You must:

hold a PhD degree in science communication; science and technology studies; science education; research/technology ethics; or a related field, an additional background in the natural sciences is a plus;
have at least two years of (postdoc) experience in action-oriented or transformative research at the science-society interface;
have expertise in qualitative, ethnographic, and participatory research methods and affinity with transdisciplinary research;
be well-acquainted with theories of science-society interaction and communication, specifically around reflexivity, responsible innovation, dialogue and transformation;
demonstrate affinity with playful and artistic approaches as methods of inquiry, reflection and dialogue;
have published in refereed international journals or books on the topics listed in this advertisement;
have potential for, or experience with, obtaining research grants;
hold a network of relevant international contacts;
write and speak English fluently, and you have a good command of Dutch;
be a team player with excellent communication skills to collaborate with scientists, communication professionals, policy-makers and diverse groups of citizens;
be able to establish, maintain and improve a wide scientific and societal network within the area of expertise;
have elaborate experience with development, execution and coordination of education relevant for the expertise area of this position;
have excellent teaching skills;
be able to supervise a theoretical thesis, research projects and student internships;
and preferably have a BKO (UTQ) certificate.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Wat bieden wij

A dynamic position in a socially involved organization. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

a salary of minimum € 4.537,00 (Scale 11) and maximum € 6.209,00 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Asisstant Professor 1. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
a position for at least 0,8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 18 months. Upon positive assessment this can result in a permanent contract.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
solid pension scheme (ABP)
child daycare facilities available on campus
the possibility to work partly from home

Over ons

Athena Insitute
The Athena Institute is dedicated to making research and innovation more responsive to societal needs. To achieve this, we take a transdisciplinary approach, defined by multi-actor engagement. We bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners and citizens to collaboratively address persistent, multi-faceted societal problems.

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Interesse

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.

Selection process and the interviews

First Interview: an introductory interview of 30 minutes with one or two members of the selection committee.
Second Round: a 45-minute interview with two members of the selection committee. For this interview, we request a writing sample (the most relevant scientific article) and a one pager research and teaching statement.
Third Round: The third round involves an interview with an appointment advisory committee (the so-called BAC). When invited for this round, candidates receive a tailor-made assignment and are asked to provide names of three referees. In case of a tie or any concerns, we may contact one or more of the referees (The intended information must be directly related to the vacancy)

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.