Assistant Professor in Political Theory at UCU

at  Universiteit Utrecht

Do you have a strong enthusiasm for teaching and enjoy working in an academic environment marked by interdisciplinary learning? Then we invite you to join the team of teacher-scholars at University College Utrecht (UCU). UCU, as a Liberal Arts and Sciences institution, attracts students with diverse academic backgrounds and interests. Instruction occurs in small, interactive classes with a maximum enrollment of 28 students per course, where educators employ various pedagogical methods to facilitate student learning effectively.

YOUR JOB

We are looking for an early career academic teacher in the field of political theory to complement our current team of academics in the political science track. As one of the larger tracks at UCU, the political science track offers a diverse yet cohesive curriculum in domestic politics, world politics, and political thought. It brings together courses on comparative politics, governance, political economy, international relations, and international political economy. Our courses connect to themes in political thought, European governance, coloniality, gender, geopolitics, and party politics. Additionally, the track offers students the possibility to explore interdisciplinary connections with many other tracks at UCU, such as law, economics, anthropology, philosophy, history and media studies.
The position is primarily based at UCU but entails additional tasks at Utrecht University’s Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) programme, which is located on the same campus. At UCU, you will be responsible for teaching three sections of the 1st year ‘political theory’ course. You are expected to teach the ‘classics’ of Western political theory, from Plato through Machiavelli to Arendt to Locke while also covering feminist, non-western, and critical race theory. This course is designed to prepare political science students for upper-level political science classes, alongside with students from outside the political science track, who are taking the course as part of their breadth requirement. Furthermore, at UCU, you will be supervising Bachelor’s theses in the political science track. In parallel, you will also be actively involved in the China Studies track. At PPE, you will contribute to courses such as Political Philosophy, Integrating Insights or PPE in Society, in addition to providing thesis supervision in the programme.

YOUR QUALITIES

Specifically, we are looking for a motivated political scientist, political philosopher, or social theorist, who can connect traditional approaches with current developments in political thought while having a strong regional expertise in Chinese/East Asian politics. Candidates with expertise in the contemporary politics/international relations/economy of China/East Asia are particularly encouraged to apply.

We are looking for early career candidates who:

• have a University Teaching Qualification (BKO or similar) or willing to obtain this within two years;
• have teaching experience, where several years of experience and/or experience in multi- or interdisciplinary teaching settings is an asset;
• are enthusiastic about teaching in a Liberal Arts and Science setting; are eager to collaborate with teachers and students outside of the field of political science;
• are fluent in English (spoken and written).

You are expected to devote 20% of their time on academic research in the broadest sense of the word (including broadening your knowledge on educational methods). Ideas on how to combine this with the teaching tasks are an asset.

ABOUT US

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.
The University Corporate Offices provide integrated support to the Board of Utrecht University. The eight corporate offices assist the Executive Board in drawing up and implementing the annual executive agenda and the four-yearly Strategic Plan and in providing support services.
University College Utrecht offers the English-language undergraduate Liberal Arts & Sciences programme at Utrecht University. Founded in 1998 as the first university college in the Netherlands, we presently have around 750 students with close to 70 different nationalities. We offer students complete freedom to compose their individual curriculum from over 200 different courses in humanities, science and social science. In this they are supported by individual tutors. The students live and study on campus, a close-knit community and vibrant hub of intellectual exploration and social engagement. University College Utrecht is where worlds meet.

Please refer the Job description for details