Visual Anthropology
The Department of Anthropology at the University of Amsterdam has an excellent reputation in both research and teaching and is home to a lively academic community. The Department currently has an opening for an Assistant Professor with expertise and a proven track record in Visual Anthropology and ethnographic filmmaking. This position will be embedded in one of the department’s three programme groups, depending on the candidate’s thematic focus.
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment and strongly encourage applications from candidates from groups historically underrepresented in Dutch academia.
What are you going to do
You will actively contribute to the department and its teaching and research programs, in particular in Visual Anthropology.
The position will require you to:
- develop and teach general, specialist and methodology courses in our Bachelor and Master’s programs, particularly in the field of Visual Anthropology, and supervise undergraduate and graduate students;
- develop, carry out and supervise anthropological research, participate in international research networks and develop a line of research in collaboration with other researchers working at the department;
- acquire and help to acquire external funding for research (also alongside junior researchers);
- engage in activities in the public sphere and in other arenas outside academia;
- take on academic service tasks within the department.
What do you have to offer
Essential criteria:
- a PhD degree and some experience as a postdoctoral researcher or (junior) faculty member;
- a strong track record in visual anthropology;
- a proven track record in high-quality teaching at Bachelor and Masters level, and ability to teach theoretical and methodological courses in visual anthropology;
- teaching experience in (ethnographic) filmmaking as a practice-based skill and an intellectual endeavour – a proven track record of films made, published, and/or screened widely.
- be an institution builder – offer a vision for visual and multimodal anthropology in Amsterdam and, more specifically, CameraWise.
- the potential to acquire research funding from external sources (for instance, Netherlands’ Organization for Scientific Research, the European Research Council);
- excellent knowledge of spoken and written English;
- working proficiency in the Dutch language or the willingness develop this within two years;
- a commitment to academic service, including management tasks in the department.
Desirable qualities:
- knowledgeable in the history, theory and philosophy of the image
- expertise in media anthropology
- a proven commitment to public anthropological engagement with non-academic actors.
What do we offer you
- We offer an employment contract of 38 hours per week for either 12 months (for internal candidates) or 18 months, including a two-month probationary period. If you prove to be a good fit and financial and organizational circumstances remain unchanged, the contract will be converted into a permanent employment agreement.
- We hope you will be able to start by 1 January or 1 February 2027.
- Your salary, depending on your relevant experience and qualifications, ranges between €4,728 to €6,433 gross per month based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8.3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘Expat Scheme’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.
You will work here
The Department of Anthropology at the University of Amsterdam is an independent, creative, innovative, and international community characterized by an open atmosphere and genuine engagement with academic colleagues as well as with the communities we study. The department offers specialist Master’s track in Visual Anthropology alongside a General and Applied Anthropology tracks, and a Master’s programme in Medical Anthropology and Sociology,
You will be based in one of our three programme groups: Moving Matters, which focuses on everyday politics and institutions; Exploring Diversity, which investigates how gender, race, class, citizenship, religion, and sexuality are made and unmade in everyday life; and Health, Care and the Body, an internationally recognised hub for medical anthropology. Across these groups, there is a growing interest in ecology and more-than-human approaches and in technology and infrastructures. We value collaborative intellectual exchange and foster an inclusive academic environment built on peer support, which facilitates both high quality research and helps advance the careers of junior faculty.
We highly value the wide-ranging perspectives and scholarships that diverse scholars bring to our department. Our active DEI Committee monitors the departmental climate with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion, organizes related events, and ensures that a diversity advocate serves on every hiring committee.
Are you a visual ethnographer who conducts cutting edge research through film? Do you want to join one of Europe’s largest anthropology departments with a vibrant visual anthropology community and help strengthen the CameraWise hub?
Visual Anthropology
The Department of Anthropology at the University of Amsterdam has an excellent reputation in both research and teaching and is home to a lively academic community. The Department currently has an opening for an Assistant Professor with expertise and a proven track record in Visual Anthropology and ethnographic filmmaking. This position will be embedded in one of the department’s three programme groups, depending on the candidate’s thematic focus.
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment and strongly encourage applications from candidates from groups historically underrepresented in Dutch academia.
What are you going to do
You will actively contribute to the department and its teaching and research programs, in particular in Visual Anthropology.
The position will require you to:
- develop and teach general, specialist and methodology courses in our Bachelor and Master’s programs, particularly in the field of Visual Anthropology, and supervise undergraduate and graduate students;
- develop, carry out and supervise anthropological research, participate in international research networks and develop a line of research in collaboration with other researchers working at the department;
- acquire and help to acquire external funding for research (also alongside junior researchers);
- engage in activities in the public sphere and in other arenas outside academia;
- take on academic service tasks within the department.
What do you have to offer
Essential criteria:
- a PhD degree and some experience as a postdoctoral researcher or (junior) faculty member;
- a strong track record in visual anthropology;
- a proven track record in high-quality teaching at Bachelor and Masters level, and ability to teach theoretical and methodological courses in visual anthropology;
- teaching experience in (ethnographic) filmmaking as a practice-based skill and an intellectual endeavour – a proven track record of films made, published, and/or screened widely.
- be an institution builder – offer a vision for visual and multimodal anthropology in Amsterdam and, more specifically, CameraWise.
- the potential to acquire research funding from external sources (for instance, Netherlands’ Organization for Scientific Research, the European Research Council);
- excellent knowledge of spoken and written English;
- working proficiency in the Dutch language or the willingness develop this within two years;
- a commitment to academic service, including management tasks in the department.
Desirable qualities:
- knowledgeable in the history, theory and philosophy of the image
- expertise in media anthropology
- a proven commitment to public anthropological engagement with non-academic actors.
What do we offer you
- We offer an employment contract of 38 hours per week for either 12 months (for internal candidates) or 18 months, including a two-month probationary period. If you prove to be a good fit and financial and organizational circumstances remain unchanged, the contract will be converted into a permanent employment agreement.
- We hope you will be able to start by 1 January or 1 February 2027.
- Your salary, depending on your relevant experience and qualifications, ranges between €4,728 to €6,433 gross per month based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8.3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘Expat Scheme’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.
You will work here
The Department of Anthropology at the University of Amsterdam is an independent, creative, innovative, and international community characterized by an open atmosphere and genuine engagement with academic colleagues as well as with the communities we study. The department offers specialist Master’s track in Visual Anthropology alongside a General and Applied Anthropology tracks, and a Master’s programme in Medical Anthropology and Sociology,
You will be based in one of our three programme groups: Moving Matters, which focuses on everyday politics and institutions; Exploring Diversity, which investigates how gender, race, class, citizenship, religion, and sexuality are made and unmade in everyday life; and Health, Care and the Body, an internationally recognised hub for medical anthropology. Across these groups, there is a growing interest in ecology and more-than-human approaches and in technology and infrastructures. We value collaborative intellectual exchange and foster an inclusive academic environment built on peer support, which facilitates both high quality research and helps advance the careers of junior faculty.
We highly value the wide-ranging perspectives and scholarships that diverse scholars bring to our department. Our active DEI Committee monitors the departmental climate with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion, organizes related events, and ensures that a diversity advocate serves on every hiring committee.
If this vacancy speaks to you, but you are uncertain whether you meet all requirements, please do get in touch with us or simply apply.
If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the role, we look forward to receiving your application. Your application should include, combined in one PDF:
- a concise statement of motivation (600 words max.);
- an academic curriculum vitae (maximum three pages), including a filmography with active links to the works and a list of publications;
- a teaching statement (400 words max.);
- a statement outlining your research plans (400 words max.);
- a statement outlining your experience with or ideas on how to incorporate diversity and inclusion in teaching and research (400 words max.);
- contact information for two academic references (no letters of recommendation needed at this stage).
You can apply via the red button until Sunday 6 September 2026 (23:59 CET). The first round of interviews will take place online on 21 and 22 September 2026. The second round will take place on-site on 5 or 6 October 2026.
In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.
For questions about the vacancy, you can contact:
