Assistant Professor in International Development Studies (IDS), Utrecht University

The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning (SGPL) at Utrecht University seeks to appoint an Assistant Professor in International Development Studies (IDS) with extensive field experience (in Africa, Asia and/or Latin America) and with expertise in the field of TRANSNATIONAL MOBILITIES, TRANSLOCAL RELATIONS AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS.

This position will augment and complement our departmental research program “Urban Futures: Transitions Towards Economic and Social Sustainability for Cities”. Central to our IDS research and teaching programme is the understanding of the complex relationship between migration/mobilities and inclusive and sustainable development in urban settings. Globalisation has given rise to new and intensified flows and circulations of people, goods, capital and knowledge, contributing to rapid transformations, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The presence of migrants, tourists, entrepreneurs, bundled with related non-human interconnectivities, shape urban places and people, their development trajectories and livelihood possibilities in distinct ways, often through networks of different kinds. We study the impact of different types of human mobility on processes of spatial transformation (the appearance of urban hubs/corridors – enclosures/ enclaves – and displacement processes) and the consequences for people’s wellbeing. Institutions are important elements in this research theme, as human (and other related) mobilities are shaped and their impacts mediated by institutional frameworks that are usually place-specific, yet encourage, hinder or steer developmental outcomes.

Key words: flows of people, goods, capital and knowledge in relations to sustainable livelihoods/ sustainable (urban) futures.

We are looking for a colleague (0,5 FTE teaching and 0,5 FTE research) who can initiate, both independently as well as in collaboration with IDS colleagues, new research related to the above mentioned fields and which complements the programmes of existing IDS staff. Besides research activities, the successful candidate will be teaching in the IDS-related BA and MSc programmes, and playing an active role in student and PhD supervision. Furthermore, he/she will actively pursue funding for research, and contribute to its societal impact.

Requirements

We seek a highly motivated candidate who holds a PhD in International Development Studies or a relevant related discipline (preferably Human Geography, Anthropology or Development Economics). If you …

  • have experience (preferably as a Postdoc researcher) in conducting scientific research leading to high-quality publications;
  • have extensive field experience (in Africa, Asia and/or Latin America, preferably in combination);
  • have a good international research network (academic institutions as well as development oriented organizations);
  • have teaching experience in the field of M&T (mixed research methods, including quantitative analysis);
  • have experience with, or are looking forward to acquiring experience in obtaining research funding;
  • are enthusiastic about – and preferably have experience in – teaching and supervising students from the undergraduate to PhD levels;
  • are proficient in both written and spoken English, preferably also in French and/or Spanish;
  • are a team player, looking forward to contributing to our IDS-group, including LANDac (www.landgovernance.org) and collaborating with other groups within our department.

we encourage you to apply and are looking forward to meeting you!

Conditions of employment

Employment conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities.
We offer a full-time position that starts with an initial period of two years, with an intended extension of either another two years or a conversion to a permanent position, subject to performance. The gross monthly salary is based on the experience and qualifications, and ranges from a minimum of € 2,855,- to a maximum of € 4,551,- on a fulltime basis. The salary is supplemented by a holiday allowance of 8% per year and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
We offer a pension scheme, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). Facilities for sports and child care are available on our campus, which is only 15 minutes away from the historical city center of Utrecht. For more information visit Working at Utrecht University.

Organisation

Utrecht University has great ambitions for its teaching quality and study success rates. This also applies to its clear research profiles which are centered on four themes: Dynamics of Youth, Institutions, Life Sciences and Sustainability. Utrecht University plays a prominent role in our society and contributes to finding the answers to topical and future societal issues.

The Faculty of Geosciences offers education and research concerning the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and anthroposphere. With a population of 2,600 students (BSc and MSc) and 600 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty is organised in four Departments: Innovation, Environmental and Energy Sciences, Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, and Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning.

The International Development Studies group actively contributes to the bachelor’s and the master’s curriculum of the SGPL department, and is responsible for the MSc-IDS programme (1 year) and the International Development Track within the MSc in Sustainable Development (two years).

IDS is the leading partner of LANDac, the Academy on Land Governance for equitable and sustainable development and has a large international network.

Additional information

More information about IDS or our research programmes can be obtained from: Prof. dr. Annelies Zoomers at e.b.zoomers@uu.nl.