Assistant Professor Science Communication and Science-Technology Interfaces

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.

Requirements:

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.

Salary Benefits:

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

De Boelelaan 1105