Two Assistant Professors in Screen Media

Do you specialise in media studies with a focus on screen media? Become an Assistant Professor in our department

Are you specialised in media studies with a focus on screen media – e.g. film and television, emerging screen media, streaming or platform media, interactive screen media, or media art? We seek new colleagues who are dynamic assistant professors with a strong affinity with current developments of theoretical approaches and new research methods for the critical examination of screen and media culture. We are interested in a diversity of research interests related to the cultural, societal, and ecological implications of emerging and transforming screen media.

Your research will be part of the Institute for Cultural Inquiry (ICON) with its research domains of Media & Performance and Gender Studies, and research initiatives such as [urban interfaces], MI3: Media Industries, infratructures, and Institutions, Green Media Studies, and Transmission in Motion. The position also offers possibilities for you to connect with Utrecht University's interdisciplinary Strategic Themes such as Institutions for Open Societies, Pathways to Sustainability, and Dynamics of Youth. Moreover, we are committed to furthering new and innovative developments in academic research, teaching, and to participating in interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships within and beyond the university.

Depending on your expertise, you will teach courses on screen media such as film, television, digital and interactive screen media, screen cultures, history of the media landscape, new media, or screen media theory. You will participate in the BA Media and Culture, MA Film and Television Cultures, MA New Media and Digital Culture, or the RMA Media, Art & Performance Studies. Depending on your specialisation, you may also collaborate with colleagues in interdisciplinary teaching teams that media and culture studies are part of.

We offer an inspiring research and teaching environment and foster initiatives for innovative projects in research, teaching, and public engagement. For this, we work closely with other academic disciplines, institutional and industrial partners, and various societal stakeholders. Moreover, we welcome your active contribution to broader, interdisciplinary research agenda of media and culture studies and participation in research collaborations within the department and beyond.

(Personal) leadership and responsibility are part of your job. That is why you recognise yourself in the following core values that are central to the Faculty of Humanities: professionalism, transparency, responsibility, connection and safety. These core values apply to everyone and we uphold these values, in our work and in our communication with each other and to others.

Possible research areas or foci include:

• cinema and/or television cultures;
• projection media, streaming/platform media;
• AR, VR, MR, interactive screen media, or media art;
• urban screens or screen installations;
• screen media industries;
• screen media heritage;
• media archeology;
• decolonial screen studies;
• media & sustainability studies.

As an ideal candidate, you meet the following requirements:

• You hold a PhD in the Humanities or in a field relevant for this position, with a research focus on screen media.
• You have relevant teaching experience on BA and MA level and in supervising individual research projects.
• You are an active and ambitious researcher with output that reflects this.
• You are a strong team player, interested in team science and team teaching, and in inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration.
• You are willing to seek external research funding, individually or as part of a team.
• You have excellent organisational experience and skills.
• You are committed to professional development, and are interested in academic leadership.
• You have acquired the University Teaching Qualification, or are willing to acquire this within the first two years.
• You are fluent in English, preferably close to near-native standard. If you do not have a native command of Dutch you are expected to obtain NT2 level spoken and written Dutch within two years of your appointment.

We offer:

• an employment contract for 12 months with the prospect of a permanent employment contract;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €4,332 and €5,929 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 11 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

The job's allocation is set to 40% research and 60% teaching. Within the 60% for teaching, there is 10% free space that will not be scheduled.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

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 Faculty of Humanities has around 7,000 students and 1,100 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. With its research and education in these fields, the Faculty aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe in a rapidly changing social and cultural context. The enthusiastic and committed colleagues and the excellent amenities in the historical city centre of Utrecht, where the faculty is located, contribute to an inspiring working environment.

Our department of Media and Culture Studies has a staff with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and views. As a department, we are committed to support our staff and their development and we foster various forms of interdisciplinary collaboration and team-based teaching and research. In our department, we study a wide range of media as well as cultural and artistic expressions, also in their intermedial relations. We interpret culture as a dynamic combination of artistic, creative, and everyday activities that people use to shape their identities, and within which social processes, structures and institutions are shaped. We welcome colleagues who can further strengthen the diversity of perspectives and backgrounds in our department.

For more information, please contact Professor Nanna Verhoeff at

The start date of this function is 15 August 2024.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the 'apply now' button.