Lecturer Human Geography and Planning

Join us!

We are looking for temporary thesis supervisors with an affinity for both geography/urban geography and strong methodological skills. Specifically, candidates should be able to supervise an academic thesis, at both the bachelor and master level. Thesis supervision means having a group of 5-6 students at a time, meeting regularly with them, taking an interest in their own ideas through open discussion, and helping them to turn these interests into feasible research topics and a final thesis.

What are you going to do

Thesis supervision at the Master and Bachelor levels and in consultation small additional teaching tasks depending on availability and expertise.

What do you have to offer

• A PhD in a field related to Human Geography, Planning or International Development Studies;
• Experience in Bachelor or Master level thesis supervision;
• Fluency in English and/or Dutch.
• Enthusiasm for working closely with students and helping them develop their ideas;
• Expertise in one or more the fields of spatial analysis, political geography, urban studies, climate change, migration, gender, urban planning and urban transformations or other related fields;
• Academic or professional expertise in the themes listed above as well as a professional or academic network which can be shared with students;
• Is willing to be flexible and adjust to new supervision styles in a short amount of time;
• is employed in a sector relevant to the fields mentioned above, with availability for part-time thesis supervision with us.

What else do we offer you

We can offer our successful applicants a one-year temporary position (until 31-08-2027) as Docent 3 (lecturer, level 3), at 8-12 hours per week. We offer an inspiring teaching environment with capable and highly motivated students, and which is characterized by an international and multi-disciplinary orientation. The social sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future. 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 multiple stake-holders around the world.

Depending on relevant experience at the start of employment, the salary amounts to €4,925 to €6,682 gross per month (salary scale 11) based on full-time employment (38 hours per week), excluding 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus. The Collective Labor Agreement (Cao) of Dutch Universities applies. In addition, we offer a comprehensive package of secondary employment benefits, including generous vacation arrangements and a year-end bonus.

In this department, you will work

The Bachelor and Master teaching programs of the Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies (GPIO) are embedded within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. We offer a Bachelor program in Social Geography and Planning; Masters programs in Human Geography, Urban and Regional Planning and International Development Studies; and two Research Master programs in International Development Studies and Urban Studies. Our teaching and supervision staff is committed to encouraging students to engage in critical inquiry while also exploring constructive solutions to societal problems. Our department is home to diverse and internationally-oriented teaching staff members who also play active and influential roles in both academic and societal debates. Our strong international reputation, and impact is evidenced, in our consistently high scores in the widely-used QS global subject rankings.

Do you have expertise in areas related to the spatiality of social, economic, and environmental processes? Are you driven by issues related to social justice? Due to a current peak in student numbers the Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) invites applications for a one-year thesis supervision position.

In this department, you will work

The Bachelor and Master teaching programs of the Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies (GPIO) are embedded within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. We offer a Bachelor program in Social Geography and Planning; Masters programs in Human Geography, Urban and Regional Planning and International Development Studies; and two Research Master programs in International Development Studies and Urban Studies. Our teaching and supervision staff is committed to encouraging students to engage in critical inquiry while also exploring constructive solutions to societal problems. Our department is home to diverse and internationally-oriented teaching staff members who also play active and influential roles in both academic and societal debates. Our strong international reputation, and impact is evidenced, in our consistently high scores in the widely-used QS global subject rankings.

If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the role, we look forward to receiving your motivation letter and CV. You can apply via the red button until 1 November 2026. Interviews will take place from 9-13 November. Applications received after the deadline, are not submitted via the link, or are incomplete will not be taken into consideration.

In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.

For questions about the vacancy, you can contact:

• Dr. Nanke Verloo, program director Master Urban and Regional Planning and Human Geography N.Verloo@uva.nl