Assistant Professor in Swedish Literature

Job Summary

The Department of Literary Studies contributes to the Bachelor in Linguistics and Literary Studies, three one-year Master’s degrees (Linguistics and Literary Studies, Historical Linguistics and Literary Studies, and Comparative Modern Literary Studies) and a two-year Educational Master’s degree.

The Department has a tenure-track vacancy in the field of Swedish Literature. The position is the equivalent of lecturer in the UK system and assistant professor in the US system, and embraces academic research, teaching, and service.

You will contribute to the teaching of Swedish literature and other education provided by the section of Swedish literature. You will supervise BA papers and MA dissertations. You will develop high-quality research activities in Swedish literature. You will take part in the internal and external service provision of the Department of Literary Studies and will actively contribute to the day to day functioning of the Swedish section, the department and the study program.

Experience

• You have conducted eminent academic research in the field of Swedish Literature, which is clearly reflected in publications in high-quality academic journals and peer-reviewed books;
• You are capable of initiating, supervising and acquiring the necessary funding for academic research;
• You possess the didactic skills to help university students develop and achieve academic competences;
• You possess the knowledge and skills to teach in Swedish courses on Swedish literature and literary studies within the context of the Scandinavian literature;
• You have language proficiency in Swedish at (near) native level;
• If you do not have language proficiency in Dutch at B2 level, you are prepared to obtain this level within 5 years after your appointment.
• International mobility, demonstrable experience in supervising bachelor or master theses, positively assessed teaching experience at academic level and involvement in the professionalization of education serve as a recommendation.

Skills / Attitude

• You are quality-oriented;
• You take initiative;
• You can work independently as well as in a team.

Our Offer

The career and evaluation policy for Professorial Staff is based on talent development and growth, prioritizing vision development and strategy – at the personal as well as the group level. At UGent we focus on career support and coaching of the Professorial Staff in the different phases of the career.

Ghent University is committed to properly welcoming new professorial staff members and offering them appropriate guidance. The basic teacher training and courses of ‘Dutch’ and ‘English’ for foreign-speaking lecturers are only a few examples of our wide range of training and education opportunities. Furthermore, each Ghent University staff member can count on a number of benefits such as a bike allowance, reimbursement of public transport commuting costs, daycare, a wide range of sports facilities and EcoCheques.

Ghent University also invests in welcoming international professorial staff. It offers various housing options, a relocation bonus, the International School for school-aged children (with a discount on the tuition fee), support when registering at the City of Ghent, support with the procedure of family reunification and other administrative matters in connection with moving to Ghent.

Candidates who are newly appointed at Ghent University with an appointment as autonomous academic staff of at least 50% or candidates whose appointment as autonomous academic staff at Ghent University is increased to a minimum of 50% receive a Starting Grant of € 210.000 to contribute towards the personnel, operating and/or equipment costs of establishing a research team.

Selection Procedure

After the final application date, all received applications will be sent to the faculty assessment committee assembled for this vacancy. This committee will first evaluate the application files. Therefore it will match all elements of the file against the required expertise for the position in terms of education, research and scientific service. Based on this deliberation, relevant candidates will be shortlisted to be invited for further selection (interview, possible presentation or test lecture …). Afterwards, the committee will rank the suitable candidates and present this ranking to the Faculty Board. The advice of the Faculty Board will then be presented to the University Board for approval.

Candidates are asked to further discuss their top 5 most important publications or other academic achievements with the highest impact. Next to academic publications, the candidate is thus also able to show merit of knowledge transfer by academic dissemination, social valorisation, public awareness, seminars or conference presentations. These competences are also taken into account when evaluating the candidates.
The evaluation of the required international mobility is broad and partly takes the gender perspective into account, thus not only considering longer stays abroad by also other forms of internationalisation. Pregnancy leave, prolonged sick leave, parental leave, filial leave or other forms of absence are taken into account when evaluating the available time for the realisation of academic output.

How to apply

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not sent through the online system. Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘Cv’: one pdf-file containing 1) the professorial staff application form; 2) a text (max. 1,500 words) in which the applicant explains their view on research, education and academic services in relation to the position applied for; 3) a research proposal (max. 1,500 words). The proposal includes the following sections: background, aim/research questions, method, expected results and feasibility; 4) a portfolio sketching the candidate’s educational competences; 5) any other annexes mentioned in the form.
• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of your doctoral degree. If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
• In the field ‘Certificate of equivalence’: only for diplomas awarded outside the European Union: certificate of equivalence (NARIC) (if already in you possession)