Assistant Professor with a Focus on Academic Writing

Welcome to Maastricht University!

At Maastricht University, we value academic writing as a fundamental skill that enables students to think critically, communicate ideas clearly, and engage meaningfully with scholarly conversations. Strong writing fosters precision, argumentation, and intellectual independence, all of which remain essential in higher education and beyond. At the same time, the rise of generative AI is reshaping how writing is approached, offering new tools for drafting, feedback, and research support. Rather than diminishing the importance of writing, this shift underscores the need for students to develop ethical awareness, critical judgment, and the ability to use such technologies responsibly while maintaining their own academic voice and integrity. You will join an international academic community where critical thinking, collaboration, and curiosity drive everything we do – and where your perspective, expertise, and skills help students and colleagues engage thoughtfully with today’s most pressing challenges. 

Assistant Professor with a Focus on Academic Writing

• Our goal: We aim to hire a new colleague whose passion is to teach academic writing across our programs that bridge the humanities and social sciences.
• Your colleagues: You will join the Literature and Art (L&K) department, the research program Arts, Media, and Culture (AMC), and the Teaching and Learning Hub of the faculty.

The position and profile
We are seeking a scholar with a PhD in English (Literature), Rhetoric, or a closely related discipline to take on the role of academic writing specialist within our faculty. This position arises as our current colleague in this role approaches retirement. Your teaching responsibilities will differ from those of other colleagues, as you will serve as a central point of expertise in academic writing for both students and staff. To ensure strong integration within the faculty, you will be embedded in the AMC research group, contributing to its academic community while supporting writing development across programmes. Your research profile may relate to academic writing or to other research areas within AMC.

What you do
The role centers on supporting students and academic staff in developing strong academic writing practices across the interdisciplinary humanities and social science programs Arts and Culture, European Studies, Global Studies/Globalization and Development Studies, and Digital Society/Culture. This includes providing one-on-one guidance to BA and MA students, contributing lectures and workshops within courses, and offering dedicated thesis-writing support. 
In parallel, the position involves advising colleagues on the design of writing assignments, assessment methods, and feedback practices that align with learning outcomes, as well as delivering professional development workshops on teaching writing. Beyond direct teaching, the role contributes to broader faculty initiatives by supporting the integration of writing into curricula, developing (digital) resources, and engaging in ongoing discussions about the evolving role of writing – particularly in light of generative AI – in higher education.

What you bring 

• You are an experienced and engaging teacher of academic writing, with a proven track record of supporting BA and MA students from diverse linguistic backgrounds through a combination of lectures, workshops, and individual guidance.
• You bring a solid understanding of contemporary approaches to teaching and assessing writing, including constructive alignment and the role of writing in learning. As an inspiring educator, you foster active student participation and thrive in collaborative teaching environments, such as Problem-Based Learning.
• You are an interdisciplinary thinker, comfortable teaching a range of writing conventions across the humanities and social sciences.
• You are a highly proficient multilingual communicator, with excellent command of English (IELTS level 9 or equivalent) and preferably Dutch, and an awareness of how linguistic and rhetorical differences shape student writing.
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential, including experience with – or willingness to develop expertise in – supporting neurodiverse learners.
• You are also willing to obtain the Dutch University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within two years.

In addition, you are an active researcher with a developing publication profile and international recognition, who is comfortable focusing your teaching on academic writing rather than your specific research area. You are collegial and community-minded, contributing to a collaborative academic culture and supporting colleagues in developing effective feedback and writing pedagogy.

What we offer 

At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• A 18-month contract (1,0 fte) with the prospect of a permanent contract based on mutual satisfaction. 
• A gross monthly salary between €4728,00 and €6433,00 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home.
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

About the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS)
FASoS is a close-knit, international community of thinkers, doers, and connectors. We offer interdisciplinary education in cultural and social sciences, and our research focuses on societies in transition. Creativity and collaboration are central; ranging from European integration, digitalization, and culture to innovative educational projects. FASoS is small-scale, informal, and diverse, with room to follow your own path.

About the Literature and Art department
The expertise of the colleagues in the Literature and Art Department spans a wide range of disciplines, including art and literary studies, media and cultural studies, the digital humanities, heritage and memory studies, cultural industries and cultural policy, gender and diversity studies, and sociolinguistics. Most of its staff members are affiliated with the research program AMC and many contribute to Maastricht Center for Arts and Culture, Conservation and Heritage, and the Center for Gender and Diversity. The department delivers teaching capacity to most notably the BA and MA Arts and Culture and the BA Digital Society and MA Media Studies: Digital Cultures at FASoS. It also offers an extensive catalogue of courses at the liberal arts program of University College Maastricht. Our teaching highlights different methods of analysis like narrative, visual, and discourse analysis, (digital) ethnography, and design thinking.

Interested?
Do you want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Contact Prof. Dr. Aagje Swinnen (chair of the Literature and Art department) at a.swinnen@maastrichtuniversity.nl.   

Please upload the following documents 

• Your PhD degree certificate;
• A full CV (including a complete list of publications with clear differentiation between peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications and an overview of teaching experience, funding acquisition, management experience, and outreach activities); 
• A motivation letter (2 to 3 pages); 
• A teaching statement and vision on how to teach academic writing (max. 3 pages);
• Teaching evaluations (if available); 
• A writing sample (preferably a published article or book chapter); 
• The contact information of up to three academic referees (including e-mail, phone number, and relationship to the applicant). 

Your motivation letter and teaching statement and vision should include the following elements   

1. Motivation and fit 

• Explain your motivation for applying to our department and faculty; 
• Describe how your expertise meets what we are looking for in an academic writing specialist; 
• Summarize your research background and highlight your most significant contributions to date (e.g., published papers, book projects, working papers); 
• If relevant, briefly describe experience with grant acquisition, research leadership, or societal engagement. 
• If applicable, indicate your interest in contributing to interdisciplinary initiatives, research groups, or societal impact activities. 

 
2. Teaching statement and vision 

• Detail your experience with teaching academic writing; 
• Explain your vision on academic writing in the context of generative AI;
• Outline courses taught, levels (BA/MA), formats (lectures, seminars), and responsibilities (course coordination, assessment); 
• Describe your teaching philosophy, especially how you engage students, and support an inclusive learning environment;
• Mention any experience with supervising theses, mentoring students, or co-developing new courses. 

The first interview round is planned on June 9th and the second interview round on June 22nd. 

 Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.