Assistant Professor in Persuasive Communication

Faculteit/Dienst:  Faculteit der Maatschappij- & Gedragswetenschappen
Opleidingsniveau:  Gepromoveerd
Functie type:  Wetenschappelijk Personeel
Sluitingsdatum:  27 April 2022
Vacaturenummer:  8494

Are you passionate about research and teaching, specialized in persuasive communication, and looking for a challenging job in a dynamic setting? We are looking for an Assistant Professor in Persuasive Communication.
 

The Department of Communication Science invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Persuasive Communication, starting no later than 15 August 2022. As an Assistant Professor, you will be a member of the Persuasive Communication Group which is one of the four program groups in the Department of Communication Science at the University of Amsterdam. The Persuasive Communication program group addresses communication that is intended to achieve specific persuasive goals, as is the case in, for instance, marketing communication, health education, and public information campaigns. 

The Persuasive Communication research group aims at studying factors that explain the development, reach, processing and effects of professional and consumer-generated messages in marketing- and health communication. We study how people use communication to fulfil their needs in commerce and health, how companies, providers and consumers communicate, and how this influences their attitudes, cognitions and behavior. Our work fits within the ASCoR Research programme. A key aspect in much of ASCoR’s (and PersCom’s) research is the consequences of digitalization on individuals.

Courses we teach in the Master’s are the specialization seminars marketing communication and health communication, and electives like brand communication, digital analytics, persuasion & resistance, and brands and organizations on social media. In the Bachelor, we teach the domain module persuasive communication, elective courses about algorithmic persuasion, health communication and content marketing, and graduation projects in which students write their Bachelor thesis. PersCom colleagues are also involved in general communication science courses, and methods courses about experiments, survey, content analysis, or general statistics courses like statistical modelling. More information on these courses can be found here. Most of our courses are organized in tutorials or seminars of approximately 25 students, and are taught by a team of lecturers.

Within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Communication Science offers a Bachelor’s and several Master’s degree programmes. With more than 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students, Communication Science is among the largest departments at the University of Amsterdam with an outstanding international reputation. The College of Communication and the Graduate School of Communication offer a Bachelor and Master program, a European joint degree program in Journalism and a Research Master, the only of its kind in the Netherlands. The teaching in our Communication Science program is interdisciplinary and internationally oriented, offering tracks taught in both English and Dutch. The Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR) is the research institute for the Communication Science department, and formulated an ambitious Research programme. The Department is the home of the Communication and Digital Society Initiative and it participates in several of the University and Faculty Research Priority Areas.

What are you going to do

As an Assistant Professor (40% research 60% teaching) in Persuasive Communication, you:

  • teach regular courses in the programmes of the Bachelor and Master communication science in Dutch and/or English, including substantive theoretical coursework and statistical/methodological coursework, depending on educational demand (currently we are looking for someone who is also able to teach the more marketing communication related courses in our program); 
  • organize teaching in the field of Persuasive Communication on different themes within the program, from first year’s bachelor courses to courses in the master track Persuasive Communication; 
  • supervise and evaluate Bachelor theses, Master theses and internships;
  • conduct research on Persuasive Communication within the ASCoR research program;
  • take part in outreach and impact activities;
  • contribute to and lead applications for external funding;
  • participate in committees, groups and projects in the program group Persuasive Communication.

What do we require

The job profile is UD (universitair docent), based on the university job ranking system.

You act with attention to quality, integrity and creativity, and:

  • have a PhD in Communication Science or a related discipline in the Social Sciences;
  • have demonstrable experience in academic teaching at BSc and MSc levels;
  • have the ability to take care of teaching components independently;  
  • experience and willingness to teach methods courses is a plus, preferably experience with and knowledge of (a variety of) quantitative research methods and statistics commonly employed in communication science; 
  • experience with computational and digital methods is a plus;
  • have a university teaching qualification (BKO) or are willing to obtain one within two years;
  • have the ability to carry out your own research successfully, independently but also as part of a team;
  • have developed an empirical-analytical line of research that fits well with and adds to the profile of the program group and the ASCoR Research program as evidenced in publications in prominent communication science journals or journals from related disciplines;
  • have the qualities and plans to apply for competitive grants – demonstrated grant-writing experience is a plus;
  • open to the principles of Open Science;
  • are capable to provide a stimulating teaching and research environment and are a good team worker;
  • are able to identify opportunities for improvement in research and teaching and take responsibility for allocated units of study or teaching; 
  • are enthusiastic to carry out service and coordination tasks for the benefit of the program group and Department of Communication;
  • have the qualities and plans to contribute to relevant social or scientific impact activities;
  • are an active member of the (international) Communication Science community or related communities;
  • have proficiency in English and Dutch or a firm commitment to learn Dutch within two years.

Our offer

We offer a temporary full-time or part-time contract for the period of 1.5 years. For internal candidates the contract will be for the period of one year. Preferred starting date is 15 August 2022. Contingent upon positive evaluation and satisfactory performance, you will be offered a permanent contract. 

The gross monthly salary based on full-time employment (38 hours per week) ranges from €3,821 up to a maximum of €5,943 (salary scale 11/till scale 12). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% end-of-year bonus. The starting salary will be based on qualifications, expertise and relevant experience. The profile assistant professor is applicable in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

What else do we offer

  • A position in which initiative and input are highly valued.
  • An enthusiastic and warm department that is open to new colleagues.
  • A stimulating research environment, in one of the leading departments in media and communication worldwide.
  • Teaching in diverse, multicultural, and engaged cohorts of students.
  • An inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.
  • Access to some research funds to conduct studies and attend international conferences.

About us

About the faculty

To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization. The social and behavioral sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.

Questions

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact: 

Would you like to learn more about working at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG)? Visit our website.

Job application

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 27 April 2022. You may apply online by using the link below.

Applications in .pdf should include:

  • a curriculum vitae; 
  • a letter of motivation.

Preferred starting date of the position is 15 August 2022. Interviews take place on 11 May in the morning.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize 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.

If you encounter Error GBB451, reach out to our HR Department directly. They will gladly help you continue your application. 

No agencies please