Assistant Professor Public Policy and Governance

Assistant Professor Public Policy and Governance

Working at the UvA

Do you work on policy implementation in the Global South?

The Department of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent) position in Political Science with a specialization in public policy. We are particularly interested in candidates with a research focus on the Global South and an interest in the politics of policy implementation.

In addition, candidates require academic teaching experience in core public policy literature, so that they contribute to our international, diverse, and broad political science (under-)graduate programmes within the College and Graduate School Social Sciences.

Working at the UvA

Do you work on policy implementation in the Global South?

The Department of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent) position in Political Science with a specialization in public policy. We are particularly interested in candidates with a research focus on the Global South and an interest in the politics of policy implementation.

In addition, candidates require academic teaching experience in core public policy literature, so that they contribute to our international, diverse, and broad political science (under-)graduate programmes within the College and Graduate School Social Sciences.

All about this vacancy

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.

You are asked to teach introductory and advanced courses in public policy and governance in the BA and MA programmes of the Department of Political Science. Occasionally, you can also teach courses that are part of the core curriculum of the BA program. You can also be asked to teach in an interdisciplinary BA or (Res)MA-programme associated with the Department of Political Science.

For research we are interested in candidates who can offer innovative theoretical and empirical contributions to literatures on the politics of implementation, implementation success/failure, the role of street-level bureaucrats, implementation instruments and practices in specific countries in the Global South. Your research will be affiliated with the Programme Group ‘Transnational Configurations, Conflict, and Governance’ (TCCG), housed in the Department of Political Science and the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR). For more information on the group and its interests, please consult this link. You will actively contribute to the development of the research programme of TCCG by publishing in international scholarly journals or books, by co-supervising junior researchers, and by submitting grant applications. The Department of Political Sciences appreciates scholarly outreach to professionals and the wider public.

Core tasks

•            Teaching general and specialist courses in public policy and governance at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels, and involvement in post-graduate supervision;

•            Developing, conducting, and supervising high quality academic research on the topics mentioned above;

•            (Participating in) acquiring external research funding;

•            Contributing to the research programme of the Programme Group TCCG 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 doctoral thesis in Political Science – specifically in public policy – or a closely related field such as Public Administration or Sociology;
  • The proven ability to provide relevant and inspiring academic teaching – at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Dutch and/or English – as evidenced by successful experience in independently designing and executing courses, and a clear didactical vision; 
  • The ability to work both as an independent professional and as a team player;
  • A demonstrated expertise in the field of public policy and governance;
  • Connections to practitioners/policy-makers to the benefit of teaching and research;
  • An ongoing research programme and publications, focused on international peer reviewed journals and/or books published by internationally recognised academic presses;
  • Mastery of social science research methods appropriate for your research agenda;
  • The ability to develop and submit competitive research grant proposals; 
  • Solid knowledge of the canon and contemporary literature related to public policy and governance;
  • Affinity with teaching students from other tracks within political science, and from interdisciplinary programmes, within and beyond your own specialization;
  • A capacity to teach in English and/or Dutch, and a willingness to acquire passive 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 a discerning, 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 employment contract of a maximum of 18 months with a probationary period of two months. Upon proven suitability and unchanged financial and organizational circumstances, the contract will be converted into a permanent employment. If you already have (had) an employment contract with the UvA, we offer permanent employment upon a satisfactory evaluation and unchanged financial and organizational circumstances following a temporary employment contract of a maximum of 12 months. The employment contract will be for 38 hours per week.

Salary depends on past education and relevant work experience. For this position the University Job Classification profile Universitair Docent (UD 2 or UD 1) applies, with a minimum salary of € 4728 and a maximum salary of € 6512 gross per month based on full-time employment for a 38-hour working week, in keeping with salary scale 11.0 – 12.5, 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 can 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.

All about this vacancy

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.

You are asked to teach introductory and advanced courses in public policy and governance in the BA and MA programmes of the Department of Political Science. Occasionally, you can also teach courses that are part of the core curriculum of the BA program. You can also be asked to teach in an interdisciplinary BA or (Res)MA-programme associated with the Department of Political Science.

For research we are interested in candidates who can offer innovative theoretical and empirical contributions to literatures on the politics of implementation, implementation success/failure, the role of street-level bureaucrats, implementation instruments and practices in specific countries in the Global South. Your research will be affiliated with the Programme Group ‘Transnational Configurations, Conflict, and Governance’ (TCCG), housed in the Department of Political Science and the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR). For more information on the group and its interests, please consult this link. You will actively contribute to the development of the research programme of TCCG by publishing in international scholarly journals or books, by co-supervising junior researchers, and by submitting grant applications. The Department of Political Sciences appreciates scholarly outreach to professionals and the wider public.

Core tasks

•            Teaching general and specialist courses in public policy and governance at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels, and involvement in post-graduate supervision;

•            Developing, conducting, and supervising high quality academic research on the topics mentioned above;

•            (Participating in) acquiring external research funding;

•            Contributing to the research programme of the Programme Group TCCG 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 doctoral thesis in Political Science – specifically in public policy – or a closely related field such as Public Administration or Sociology;
  • The proven ability to provide relevant and inspiring academic teaching – at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Dutch and/or English – as evidenced by successful experience in independently designing and executing courses, and a clear didactical vision; 
  • The ability to work both as an independent professional and as a team player;
  • A demonstrated expertise in the field of public policy and governance;
  • Connections to practitioners/policy-makers to the benefit of teaching and research;
  • An ongoing research programme and publications, focused on international peer reviewed journals and/or books published by internationally recognised academic presses;
  • Mastery of social science research methods appropriate for your research agenda;
  • The ability to develop and submit competitive research grant proposals; 
  • Solid knowledge of the canon and contemporary literature related to public policy and governance;
  • Affinity with teaching students from other tracks within political science, and from interdisciplinary programmes, within and beyond your own specialization;
  • A capacity to teach in English and/or Dutch, and a willingness to acquire passive 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 a discerning, 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 employment contract of a maximum of 18 months with a probationary period of two months. Upon proven suitability and unchanged financial and organizational circumstances, the contract will be converted into a permanent employment. If you already have (had) an employment contract with the UvA, we offer permanent employment upon a satisfactory evaluation and unchanged financial and organizational circumstances following a temporary employment contract of a maximum of 12 months. The employment contract will be for 38 hours per week.

Salary depends on past education and relevant work experience. For this position the University Job Classification profile Universitair Docent (UD 2 or UD 1) applies, with a minimum salary of € 4728 and a maximum salary of € 6512 gross per month based on full-time employment for a 38-hour working week, in keeping with salary scale 11.0 – 12.5, 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 can 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.

Your place at the UvA

You will work in this department

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.

About the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) is the largest educational and research institution in the field of social and behavioural sciences in Europe. Here, we explore societal and human-centered issues, driven by scientific curiosity but also with an eye for current themes. For example, the impact of media and communication on individuals and society, healthcare challenges, global urbanization, human development, the role of political institutions, understanding the human mind, growing inequality, diversity issues, and changing social relationships.
In Europe and beyond, the FMG holds a leading position, thanks in part to its more than 1,300 staff members who contribute to education and research. Will you be one of them?

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

You will work in this department

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.

About the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) is the largest educational and research institution in the field of social and behavioural sciences in Europe. Here, we explore societal and human-centered issues, driven by scientific curiosity but also with an eye for current themes. For example, the impact of media and communication on individuals and society, healthcare challenges, global urbanization, human development, the role of political institutions, understanding the human mind, growing inequality, diversity issues, and changing social relationships.
In Europe and beyond, the FMG holds a leading position, thanks in part to its more than 1,300 staff members who contribute to education and research. Will you be one of them?

Important to know

Your application & contact

If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the 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.

Please upload this all as 1 PDF file.
You can apply via the red button until October 23rd 2025. Interviews will take place in the second week of November. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.

For questions about the vacancy, you can contact: Imrat Verhoeven ([email protected])

For technical and procedural questions, you can contact Naziha Irassir ([email protected])

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

Important to know

Your application & contact

If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the 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.

Please upload this all as 1 PDF file.
You can apply via the red button until October 23rd 2025. Interviews will take place in the second week of November. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.

For questions about the vacancy, you can contact: Imrat Verhoeven ([email protected])

For technical and procedural questions, you can contact Naziha Irassir ([email protected])

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

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