Do you work on International and/or Comparative Political Economy?
The Department of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor (‘Universitair Docent’) position in Political Science. Based in the Political Economy and Transnational Governance (PETGOV) programme group, we welcome new members whose research (and teaching) is informed by and connected to ongoing global transformations. The ideal candidate brings an innovative research agenda, experience, and enthusiasm to complement our programme group's research and to educate our students.
For this Assistant Professor vacancy, we seek to strengthen the international and/or comparative Political Economy traditions of the group, combined with a rigorous methodological approach. The ideal candidate has broad expertise on the core themes of (I)PE such as trade and geopolitics of economics, and brings an innovative and/or critical perspective on a contemporary topic, together with a proven ability to bridge between the university and societal stakeholders.
Candidates for the position should complement PETGOV’s research community, a group interested in not just national or inter-national political relations but also non-nation-state global economic and political relations. Candidates ideally also complement PETGOV’s regional expertise, where we are open to and cover most parts of the globe but are looking to strengthen Global South expertise. Finally, candidates should be ready to contribute to the teaching of core courses in Political Economy and/or International Relations..
What are you going to do
The core tasks of the successful candidate will be teaching (0.6 fte) and research (0.4 fte). You will occasionally fulfil organizational tasks and committee work in the wider context of the Department of Political Science.
Your research will fit well in the profile outlined above. We expect that your research connects well to that of others in our department, to facilitate collaboration based on your expertise.
You are asked to teach introductory and advanced courses in the BA and MA programmes of the Department of Political Science. Occasionally, you may also teach courses that are part of the core curriculum of the BA program. You may also be asked to teach in an interdisciplinary BA or (Res)MA-programme associated with the Department of Political Science.
Your research will be affiliated with the PETGOV group, housed in the Department of Political Science and the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR). We adhere to a ‘big tent’ approach to political economy and transnational governance, initiating and engaging in discussions and interactions across methodological traditions. For more information on the group and its interests, please consult https://aissr.uva.nl/petgov. The Department of Political Sciences appreciates scholarly outreach to professionals and the wider public.
Core tasks
•Teaching general and specialist courses in (International) Political Economy / International relations at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels, and involvement in post-graduate supervision;
•Developing, conducting, and supervising high quality academic research on topics mentioned above;
•Participating in acquiring external research funding;
•Contributing to the research programme of the Programme Group PETGOV and the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research through scholarly publications and engagement in local, national, and international networks.
What do you have to offer
- A completed and submitted doctoral thesis in Political Science – specifically in international relations / political economy, or a closely related field;
- An innovative research programme and output that demonstrates excellence and provides potential for raising external research funding;
- Research added value (future ambitions, and ideas about how these match or fill niches within the programme group);
- Mastery of up-to-date research methods appropriate for your research agenda;
- Substantial academic teaching experience – at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels– on a breadth of topics within the discipline / scope of the profile and on a variety of teaching formats such as lectures, seminars, and supervision, including (partially) independently designed courses.
- Broad academic teaching orientation, able and willing to teach general international relations, and/or political economy courses.
- Well-developed teaching and didactic vision showing demonstrated capacity to inspire and activate students, encourage in-class interaction, address contemporary, sensitive or topical issues, and foster bridges between academia and society.
- The ability to work both as an independent professional and as a team player, with an appreciation for diversity and inclusion, reflected in a proven track record of good academic citizenship;
- The ability to develop connections to practitioners/policymakers/stakeholders to the benefit of teaching and research;
- The proven ability to develop and submit competitive research grant proposals;
- A capacity to teach in English and Dutch (or a willingness to acquire knowledge of Dutch within three years);
- The basic qualification at Dutch universities in higher education (‘Basiskwalificatie Onderwijs’; BKO) certificate, or a willingness to acquire such.
What else do we offer you
A challenging disciplinary and interdisciplinary work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organisation. To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.
We offer a temporary full-time contract (38 hours per week) of 18 months with a probationary period of two months. Upon positive evaluation and satisfactory performance, you will be offered a permanent contract. Preferred starting date is 1 January 2027. In exceptional circumstances we can consider a later starting date.
In case of equal suitability, the internal candidate is preferred over the external candidate.
Salary depends on past education and relevant work experience. For this position the University Job Classification profile Universitair Docent (UD 2, or UD1) applies, with a minimum salary of € 4,728 and a maximum salary of € 7,297 gross per month based on full-time employment for a 38-hour working week, in keeping with salary scale 11 or 12, as per the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including a generous holiday allowance and a year-end bonus. Applicants from abroad may be eligible for the 30% tax incentive scheme over a period of five years. Parental leave is standard for 16 weeks. Because we value your continued personal development and professionalisation, we also offer excellent opportunities for study and development.
On top of these renumerations, we offer you a position in which initiative and input are highly valued, an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues, and an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.
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. We especially welcome applications from members of underrepresented groups. In case of equal qualification, female and minority candidates will be given preference.
In this department, you will work
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds. The social and behavioural sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.
The Department of Political Science is a large department, part of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG). The Department of Political Science strives for thematic breadth and methodological and epistemological pluralism. Teaching is offered both in English and in Dutch, in BA- and (Res)MA-programmes that offer options for thematic and methodological specialization. Research is integrated in the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research. The AISSR is one of the largest and most prolific social science research institutes in Europe. It offers ample opportunities for collaboration and exchange with scholars from other fields of political science, as well as the other social sciences.
We strive for excellence in a caring institute. We wish to reflect society in all aspects, as we believe that this improves the dynamics in our organization. Therefore, we support and understand the need for a work/life/family balance and consequently varying working hours and places. We believe that doing good science is fun, and goes hand in hand with an ambitious yet friendly culture.
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam in general, and the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences specifically.
Are you an engaged and enthusiastic scholar with a passion for education? Does your research explore how the current seismic shifts in the global world order affect politics, societies, or welfare? Then we have the perfect challenge for you! Come join our team at the University of Amsterdam.
Do you work on International and/or Comparative Political Economy?
The Department of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor (‘Universitair Docent’) position in Political Science. Based in the Political Economy and Transnational Governance (PETGOV) programme group, we welcome new members whose research (and teaching) is informed by and connected to ongoing global transformations. The ideal candidate brings an innovative research agenda, experience, and enthusiasm to complement our programme group's research and to educate our students.
For this Assistant Professor vacancy, we seek to strengthen the international and/or comparative Political Economy traditions of the group, combined with a rigorous methodological approach. The ideal candidate has broad expertise on the core themes of (I)PE such as trade and geopolitics of economics, and brings an innovative and/or critical perspective on a contemporary topic, together with a proven ability to bridge between the university and societal stakeholders.
Candidates for the position should complement PETGOV’s research community, a group interested in not just national or inter-national political relations but also non-nation-state global economic and political relations. Candidates ideally also complement PETGOV’s regional expertise, where we are open to and cover most parts of the globe but are looking to strengthen Global South expertise. Finally, candidates should be ready to contribute to the teaching of core courses in Political Economy and/or International Relations..
What are you going to do
The core tasks of the successful candidate will be teaching (0.6 fte) and research (0.4 fte). You will occasionally fulfil organizational tasks and committee work in the wider context of the Department of Political Science.
Your research will fit well in the profile outlined above. We expect that your research connects well to that of others in our department, to facilitate collaboration based on your expertise.
You are asked to teach introductory and advanced courses in the BA and MA programmes of the Department of Political Science. Occasionally, you may also teach courses that are part of the core curriculum of the BA program. You may also be asked to teach in an interdisciplinary BA or (Res)MA-programme associated with the Department of Political Science.
Your research will be affiliated with the PETGOV group, housed in the Department of Political Science and the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR). We adhere to a ‘big tent’ approach to political economy and transnational governance, initiating and engaging in discussions and interactions across methodological traditions. For more information on the group and its interests, please consult https://aissr.uva.nl/petgov. The Department of Political Sciences appreciates scholarly outreach to professionals and the wider public.
Core tasks
•Teaching general and specialist courses in (International) Political Economy / International relations at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels, and involvement in post-graduate supervision;
•Developing, conducting, and supervising high quality academic research on topics mentioned above;
•Participating in acquiring external research funding;
•Contributing to the research programme of the Programme Group PETGOV and the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research through scholarly publications and engagement in local, national, and international networks.
What do you have to offer
- A completed and submitted doctoral thesis in Political Science – specifically in international relations / political economy, or a closely related field;
- An innovative research programme and output that demonstrates excellence and provides potential for raising external research funding;
- Research added value (future ambitions, and ideas about how these match or fill niches within the programme group);
- Mastery of up-to-date research methods appropriate for your research agenda;
- Substantial academic teaching experience – at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels– on a breadth of topics within the discipline / scope of the profile and on a variety of teaching formats such as lectures, seminars, and supervision, including (partially) independently designed courses.
- Broad academic teaching orientation, able and willing to teach general international relations, and/or political economy courses.
- Well-developed teaching and didactic vision showing demonstrated capacity to inspire and activate students, encourage in-class interaction, address contemporary, sensitive or topical issues, and foster bridges between academia and society.
- The ability to work both as an independent professional and as a team player, with an appreciation for diversity and inclusion, reflected in a proven track record of good academic citizenship;
- The ability to develop connections to practitioners/policymakers/stakeholders to the benefit of teaching and research;
- The proven ability to develop and submit competitive research grant proposals;
- A capacity to teach in English and Dutch (or a willingness to acquire knowledge of Dutch within three years);
- The basic qualification at Dutch universities in higher education (‘Basiskwalificatie Onderwijs’; BKO) certificate, or a willingness to acquire such.
What else do we offer you
A challenging disciplinary and interdisciplinary work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organisation. To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.
We offer a temporary full-time contract (38 hours per week) of 18 months with a probationary period of two months. Upon positive evaluation and satisfactory performance, you will be offered a permanent contract. Preferred starting date is 1 January 2027. In exceptional circumstances we can consider a later starting date.
In case of equal suitability, the internal candidate is preferred over the external candidate.
Salary depends on past education and relevant work experience. For this position the University Job Classification profile Universitair Docent (UD 2, or UD1) applies, with a minimum salary of € 4,728 and a maximum salary of € 7,297 gross per month based on full-time employment for a 38-hour working week, in keeping with salary scale 11 or 12, as per the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including a generous holiday allowance and a year-end bonus. Applicants from abroad may be eligible for the 30% tax incentive scheme over a period of five years. Parental leave is standard for 16 weeks. Because we value your continued personal development and professionalisation, we also offer excellent opportunities for study and development.
On top of these renumerations, we offer you a position in which initiative and input are highly valued, an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues, and an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.
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. We especially welcome applications from members of underrepresented groups. In case of equal qualification, female and minority candidates will be given preference.
In this department, you will work
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds. The social and behavioural sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.
The Department of Political Science is a large department, part of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG). The Department of Political Science strives for thematic breadth and methodological and epistemological pluralism. Teaching is offered both in English and in Dutch, in BA- and (Res)MA-programmes that offer options for thematic and methodological specialization. Research is integrated in the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research. The AISSR is one of the largest and most prolific social science research institutes in Europe. It offers ample opportunities for collaboration and exchange with scholars from other fields of political science, as well as the other social sciences.
We strive for excellence in a caring institute. We wish to reflect society in all aspects, as we believe that this improves the dynamics in our organization. Therefore, we support and understand the need for a work/life/family balance and consequently varying working hours and places. We believe that doing good science is fun, and goes hand in hand with an ambitious yet friendly culture.
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam in general, and the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences specifically.
If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in either role, we look forward to receiving your motivation letter outlining your potential contribution to the education and research programmes mentioned above. Please also submit your CV, including (i) past work experience and qualifications (research, teaching, and/or management), (ii) your research interest(s), and (iii) a list of publications. In addition, we also want to ask you for a single-page teaching statement explaining your teaching experience, ambition and vision. Make sure that your application states to which position you are applying. As there are multiple vacancies open for the Department of Political Science and PETGOV, know that there is no obstacle or disadvantage to applying for multiple positions.
You can apply via the red button until 10 September 2026. First interviews will take place in the subsequent six weeks.
For questions about the vacancy, you can contact: Brian Burgoon (b.m.burgoon@uva.nl)
For technical and procedural questions, you can contact Digna van der Woude, department manager Political Science at the University of Amsterdam (bedrijfsvoering-pol-fmg@uva.nl).
