Assistant Professor in Storytelling and Digital Media

Assistant Professor in Storytelling and Digital Media

• Our goal: We aim to strengthen our expertise in the study of narrative across media, especially how storytelling evolves across literary, audiovisual, interactive, and digital forms.
• Your colleagues: You will join the Literature and Art department and the research program Arts, Media, and Culture (AMC). Depending on your research focus, you may also collaborate with colleagues in one of our research centers, such as the Center for Gender and Diversity (CGD), the Maastricht Centre for Arts and Culture, Conservation and Heritage (MACCH), and the Maastricht Center for Citizenship, Migration, and Development.

The position and profile
We are opening an Assistant Professor position in Storytelling and Digital Media. We are looking for a colleague with a background in literary or media studies whose research explores how storytelling is shaped by digital media and technologies, examining emerging narrative forms such as immersive media, data visualization, games, social media, and other digital platforms. We are interested in research that addresses critical questions of representation, ethics, inclusion, and the role of digital infrastructures in shaping whose stories are told, how they circulate, and how they are experienced. In teaching, you will equip students with the conceptual and practical skills to critically analyze narratives across media and to create meaningful, responsible, and innovative forms of storytelling using contemporary digital tools. You will contribute to an interdisciplinary learning environment that brings together perspectives from the humanities, the social sciences, and technological fields, reflecting the increasingly interconnected nature of storytelling with and through digital, creative, and interactive media.

What you do
You will contribute to the teaching in a variety of BA and MA programs at FASoS, such as the BA programs Digital Society and Arts and Culture and the MA programs Media Studies: Digital Cultures and Arts and Culture. Teaching tasks include tutoring, coordinating, and lecturing courses, as well as supervising internships and BA and MA theses. You will engage in field-leading research in storytelling with and through digital media, publishing in leading journals, presenting at conferences, and organizing research activities. At FASoS, teaching and research duties follow the regular division of 60% teaching and management and 40% research. The research time can be extended through external fundraising at the national and European level. FASoS is a collaborative environment, and you are expected to actively collaborate with colleagues from across departments in interdisciplinary teaching and research activities, especially in the context of the AMC research program.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.

What you bring
We’re not looking for someone who ticks all the checkboxes; we are interested in who you are and what you bring.

Do you recognize yourself in this?

• PhD in digital humanities, media studies, literary studies, cultural studies or related fields
• Expert in the study of narrative in a digital context. You study how digital technologies and media transformations shape narrative forms, practices, and experiences. This may include research on transmedia storytelling, digital literature, audiovisual and interactive narratives, games, social media, immersive media, AI-generated narratives, or other emerging forms of storytelling.
• Experienced researcher. You have a growing publication record, appropriate to your career stage, in internationally recognized venues, and are motivated to develop collaborative grant proposals.
• Technology-savvy: You have an affinity for digital tinkering at the intersection of the social sciences and the humanities and can teach courses that focus on hardware, software, networking, cybersecurity, and big data. You combine a strong conceptual understanding with a practical, hands-on approach, and are able to translate technological knowledge into applied settings and guide others in doing the same.
• Inspiring teacher. You have demonstrated experience in course coordination, teaching innovation, and thesis supervision. You encourage active student participation and value team teaching within our Problem-Based Learning (PBL) system. You are willing to obtain the Dutch University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within two years.
• Collegial and community-minded. You contribute to our academic environment through openness, collaboration, and a willingness to take on shared responsibilities.
• Multilingual communicator. You have an excellent command of English (C1 level, written and spoken). Non-Dutch speakers are expected to acquire an intermediate level of Dutch (B1) within three years.

For the successful fulfilment of this position, candidates should be willing to relocate to Maastricht or in the vicinity.

Postdoctoral Researcher in Science Education

Postdoctoral Researcher in Science Education

• Our goal: To better understand how students interpret, evaluate, and represent scientific evidence, and to improve instructional and assessment practices that support their epistemic thinking.
• Your colleagues: You will work within the Maastricht Science Programme (MSP), collaborating closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) and a research team engaged in STEM education, contributing to both research and supervisory activities.

What you do
You will contribute to an ongoing research project while developing your own scholarly profile in science/STEM education. Working closely with the PI, you will take intellectual ownership of defined parts of the project and help shape its further development through activities such as:

• refining the project’s research questions, interview protocols, coding frameworks, and analytic approaches;
• leading one or more strands of data collection and analysis, including semi-structured interviews with undergraduate students and analysing coursework artefacts;
• analysing how students interpret, evaluate, and represent scientific evidence;
• leading or co-leading at least one academic output, such as a journal article, conference paper, or research report;
• supporting project coordination, ethics procedures, data management, documentation, and stakeholder communication.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.

What you bring
We’re not looking for checkboxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

• A PhD in science/STEM education or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated familiarity with one or more of the following theoretical and research areas, preferably applied in prior research or professional work: Cultural Historical Activity Theory, epistemic cognition, epistemology, scientific reasoning, assessment, or uncertainty in science.
• Experience using Cultural Historical Activity Theory to analyse interviews, representations, and artefacts.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Strong organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to independently complete research projects within set timelines and to translate findings into publishable academic outputs.
• Confidence and care in working with students in educational settings.
• Willingness to collaborate and actively contribute to research and supervisory activities within the Maastricht Science Programme (MSP).

PhD Candidate Development of Humin Based Recyclable Networks

PhD Candidate Development of Humin Based Recyclable Networks

• Our goal: to develop recyclable, non-persistent thermoset resins based on humins, creating more sustainable alternatives for conventional materials.
• Your colleagues: The project is part of the NWO project KICHumins (A route towards non persistent crosslinked humin resins). The project is a public-private partnership consisting of academic (Maastricht University, Leiden University, University of Amsterdam) and industrial partners (Avantium, Kappi, Gemsjäger ski) in the field of materials science, environmental/health science and socio-economics.

The PhD candidate will be appointed at the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) of Maastricht University, which is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. You will work in the group of Professor Katrien Bernaerts, which focusses on the synthesis and design of polymer materials with tunable properties and recyclability exploiting the functionality of biobased building blocks. You will operate from the Brightlands-Chemelot Campus in Geleen (NL), where the labs are located.

What you do
Humins, unavoidable by-products of acid-catalyzed carbohydrate conversion in biorefineries, are typically burned for energy. This project valorizes humins by developing recyclable, non-persistent thermoset resins based on their inherent reactivity. Applications include bio-based composites with natural fibers for durable goods. Designed to be recyclable and minimize microplastic persistence, these thermosets offer a renewable, more sustainable alternative to conventional materials.

To ensure these materials are safe, their degradation products and leachates will be identified and tested using ecotoxicological assays. Persistence, fate, bioaccumulation and potential effects will be assessed under realistic environmental conditions to confirm that both the resins and their breakdown products are non-toxic and environmentally benign. Following a LCA and risk assessment combined approach we thus can advise to make materials safe and sustainable by design.

Successful implementation requires overcoming market “lock-in” effects, including resistance to process changes, stakeholder awareness and perceived risks, and regulatory hurdles. Societal concerns will be integrated early in development to ensure the materials are safe, affordable, and user-friendly. The project will also explore behavioural drivers, incentives, and innovative business models to stimulate adoption across the value chain—from producers to end-users.

The role of Maastricht University in this project is to cover the materials part of the work. The PhD candidate will use humins from Avantium to make recyclable networks and study their physico-chemical properties. Their applicability will be studied as composites for skis and adhesives for timber panels, in close collaboration with the project partners Gemsjäger ski and Kappi.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.

What you bring
We’re not looking for checkboxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

You have excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills, allowing you to collaborate effectively with both academic and industrial partners. You are results-driven, inventive, and creative, take ownership of your work, act with accountability, and are focused on achieving impactful outcomes.

Furthermore, you bring:

• a MSc degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related fields;
• excellent skills in organic synthesis, polymer synthesis and chemical characterization;
• interest in the material characterization of recyclable networks (rheology, DMA, tensile test, …);
• a strong interest to investigate structure-property relationships of the synthesized polymers for composite and adhesive applications
• a scientific attitude combined with a hands-on mentality and interest for both fundamental and application-oriented research;
• an excellent command of spoken and written scientific English.

Management Office Assistent Educational Research & Development

Management Office Assistent Educational Research & Development

• Ons doel: het ondersteunen van onderwijsontwikkeling, docentenprofessionalisering en onderzoek naar leren en ontwikkelen binnen SBE.
• Jouw collega's: Een betrokken en internationaal team binnen Educational Research & Development (ERD) en de SBE Learning Academy dat samen werkt aan de kwaliteit van onderwijs.

Goed onderwijs vraagt om een sterke organisatie achter de schermen. Als management office assistent ben jij de verbindende schakel binnen Educational Research & Development (ERD) en de SBE Learning Academy. Je ondersteunt de directeur van de Learning Academy, houdt overzicht over uiteenlopende processen en zorgt ervoor dat collega's kunnen vertrouwen op een goed georganiseerde werkomgeving. Je ziet wat nodig is, denkt vooruit en draagt actief bij aan het soepel laten verlopen van de dagelijkse werkzaamheden.

Wat je doet

In deze afwisselende functie houd je je bezig met een breed pakket aan ondersteunende taken.

• Je bent het eerste aanspreekpunt voor ERD en de SBE Learning Academy en zorgt voor een gastvrije en professionele dienstverlening.
• Je ondersteunt de directeur van de Learning Academy met agenda- en mailboxbeheer, bereidt overleggen voor en bewaakt afspraken en actiepunten.
• Je organiseert vergaderingen, trainingen, evenementen en bijeenkomsten en verzorgt de praktische en administratieve voorbereiding.
• Je coördineert de administratieve processen rondom het cursus- en trainingsaanbod van de Learning Academy.
• Je onderhoudt contact met trainers, deelnemers en interne stakeholders en zorgt dat informatie tijdig en zorgvuldig wordt gedeeld.
• Je verzamelt managementinformatie en ondersteunt bij rapportages, planning en budgetbewaking.
• Je denkt mee over het verbeteren van werkprocessen en ondersteunt collega's binnen ERD bij uiteenlopende organisatorische en administratieve werkzaamheden.

Je krijgt veel ruimte om initiatief te nemen en verbeteringen aan te dragen. Samen met je collega's draag je bij aan onderwijsontwikkeling en docentprofessionalisering binnen de School of Business and Economics.

Ben jij klaar om mee te bouwen aan de verdere ontwikkeling van onderwijs binnen de School of Business and Economics? Dan ontmoeten we je graag.

Wat jij meebrengt
Het gaat ons niet om vinkjes, maar om wie jij bent en wat jij meebrengt. Herken jij jezelf hierin?

• Je houdt moeiteloos overzicht – Je organiseert, plant en bewaart de rust, ook wanneer verschillende werkzaamheden tegelijk om aandacht vragen.
• Je bent proactief en servicegericht – Je ziet wat nodig is, neemt initiatief en ondersteunt collega's op een professionele en prettige manier.
• Je werkt nauwkeurig – Je hebt oog voor detail en zorgt ervoor dat afspraken, administratie en planningen altijd op orde zijn.
• Je bent een verbinder – Je schakelt gemakkelijk met collega's, trainers, deelnemers en andere stakeholders in een internationale werkomgeving.
• Je bent digitaal vaardig – Je werkt vlot met Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint en Outlook). Ervaring met administratieve systemen is mooi meegenomen.
• Je brengt een stevige basis mee – Je beschikt over hbo werk- en denkniveau en hebt ervaring in managementondersteuning, office management of een vergelijkbare ondersteunende of coördinerende functie.
• Je communiceert gemakkelijk – Je spreekt en schrijft vloeiend Nederlands en Engels.

Java Developer

Java Developer

• Ons doel: Binnen ICT Services bouwen we aan een betrouwbare, veilige en toekomstbestendige digitale infrastructuur voor de Universiteit Maastricht. Een belangrijk onderdeel hiervan is de verdere ontwikkeling van Identity & Access Management (IAM). We migreren naar een moderne Identity Governance & Administration-oplossing (MidPoint) waarmee gebruikers veilig en efficiënt toegang krijgen tot de juiste systemen en informatie. Daarmee versterken we de digitale basis van de universiteit en ondersteunen we onderwijs, onderzoek en bedrijfsvoering.
• Jouw collega's: Je wordt onderdeel van het nieuwe Identity & Access Management (IAM)-team binnen ICT Services. Tot de inrichting van dit team werk je binnen Team Connective Layer (CoLa - IdM). Samen met de product owner, scrummaster, developers, consultants, functioneel beheerders, architecten en testers werk je volgens Agile-principes aan innovatieve oplossingen. Daarnaast heb je regelmatig contact met interne stakeholders en leveranciers om nieuwe functionaliteiten en integraties succesvol te realiseren.

Identity & Access Management is volop in ontwikkeling binnen de Universiteit Maastricht. Als Java Developer IAM bouw en denk je mee aan een nieuw MidPoint-platform en ontwikkel je slimme systeemintegraties, connectoren en veilige autorisatieprocessen.

Na de implementatie blijf je betrokken bij de verdere ontwikkeling en optimalisatie van het IAM-platform. Je krijgt ruimte om mee te denken over technische oplossingen en levert een directe bijdrage aan een veilige en toekomstbestendige digitale dienstverlening.

Ben jij klaar voor deze technische uitdaging? Dan maken we graag kennis met je.

Wat jij doet
Je werkt met:

• Java
• MidPoint (Identity & Access Management)
• Groovy
• XML
• Git
• PostgreSQL
• REST API's
• Docker/Kubernetes (pré)

Je ontwikkelt, configureert en onderhoudt functionaliteit binnen de MidPoint Identity & Access Management-oplossing. Je bouwt koppelingen tussen MidPoint en verschillende bron- en doelsystemen en ontwikkelt software, configuraties en scripts in onder andere Java, XML en Groovy. Daarnaast test, documenteer en implementer je nieuwe functionaliteiten volgens moderne ontwikkelstandaarden.

Je denkt mee over de verdere ontwikkeling van het IAM-landschap, vertaalt technische vraagstukken naar robuuste oplossingen en ondersteunt collega's en stakeholders bij incidenten en changes. Daarbij deel je actief je kennis en visie en draag je bij aan de continue verbetering van processen, kwaliteit en samenwerking.

Wat jij meebrengt
Je bent een Developer die graag werkt aan technische uitdagingen met maatschappelijke impact. Je vindt het leuk om complexe vraagstukken te analyseren, werkt gestructureerd en zoekt actief de samenwerking met collega's uit verschillende disciplines, ook vind je het leuk om collega’s te ondersteunen en wanneer nodig op te leiden. Daarbij blijf je jezelf ontwikkelen en draag je graag bij aan innovatieve oplossingen.

Daarnaast beschik je over:

• een hbo werk- en denkniveau, bij voorkeur in Informatica, Software Engineering of een vergelijkbare ICT-richting;
• ervaring als Java Developer en werkt graag aan systeemintegraties en back-endontwikkeling. Ervaring met IAM of MidPoint is mooi meegenomen, maar geen vereiste
• ervaring met Java, XML, Git, relationele databases (bij voorkeur PostgreSQL), API's en systeemintegraties;
• kennis van CI/CD en testmethodieken, waaronder geautomatiseerd testen;
• een proactieve houding, eigenaarschap en oog voor kwaliteit;
• goede communicatieve vaardigheden en het vermogen om effectief samen te werken binnen multidisciplinaire Agile-teams.