Central European University

[CEU]

The Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology invites applications for a full-time Assistant or Associate Professor position. Of particular interest would be a candidate engaged in a critical analysis of research areas that include but are not limited to the following: transnational organizations, globalization, political and economic transformations, labor, development, and the environment. Familiarity with ethnographic methods is important but the ability to teach other methods is a plus. Thinking beyond European and North American cases is an advantage. The Department was established as an integrated department of Sociology and Social Anthropology. Candidates should have a PhD in sociology or anthropology by the start date (August 1) as well as a record of publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

Further information about the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology is available at:
web.ceu.hu/soc_ant/

Central European University (CEU) is a graduate research-intensive university specializing primarily in the social sciences. It is located in Budapest, and accredited in the United States and Hungary. CEU’s mission is to promote academic excellence, state-of-the-art research, and civic engagement, in order to contribute to the development of open societies in Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and other emerging democracies throughout the world. CEU offers both Master’s and doctoral programs, and enrolls more than 1500 students from nearly 100 countries. The teaching staff consists of more than 180 resident faculty, from over 40 countries, and a large number of prominent visiting scholars from around the world.
The language of instruction is English.

Compensation:
Compensation is commensurate with experience. We offer a competitive salary, as well as a dynamic and international academic environment. Teaching load is comparable to that of research universities.

How to apply?
Applicants need to submit:
• A comprehensive C.V.,
• Names of three referees (candidates should ask two referees to send recommendations directly to the CEU)
• List of publications,
• A sample publication,
• And a short statement of research and teaching.

Review of applications will begin February 23, 2014 and will continue until the position is filled.

Questions of an academic nature may be addressed to Judit Bodnar, Department Chair ([e-mail]).

Please send your complete application to
[e-mail] including job code in subject line: 2014/006

[so...]

Does anyone know anything about the department or university? Pros/cons, what it's like to teach there and live there?

[a bit]

I have some familiarity with the department. What do you want to know?

[European]

Basic info available on WIki -- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_European_University

But basically, it's one of (billionaire financier) Soros's projects in Eastern and Central Europe launched soon after the crumbling of state socialist regimes. The curriculum pretty much follows western Eu/US customs, and in fact, I think that each (?) program is teamed up with a counterpart at an established (and venerable) western university. The biggest problem is (or at least used to be, in the 1990s) that the school produces academic elites in the US mold without there being US-style job market for them. But basically the students, esp. on the PhD level are crème de la crème of the region (Eastern and Central Europe). The university also has an amazing archive, if you're interested in Cold War history. As far as I know, the buildings (campus) are located in the center of Budapest, which is a magnificent place to be.

[chiming in]

The department has very strong PhD students. The MA students are more of a mixed bag, but on the whole are good. Because it's only graduate students it is all seminar teaching in small classes, and not too heavy teaching load. Very international student body, only grad students, and from all over the world, though there is a bigger representation of students from the region. The Anthro/Soc department is not teamed with any counterpart department, most departments are not. Maybe that was more in the 90s, not sure.

[Living in Budapest?]

So what about language issues in living there? I assume students will have good English, but what about in the city itself? Is there a big expat community?

[English speaker]

Living in Budapest and not speaking the language presents challenges, no doubt about it. Hungarian is notoriously difficult to pick up. The university does its best to help out in terms of dealing with government authorities, getting visas, that sort of thing. That is a big help. It's easy to get by in English around the city center, so that is no problem. There are also enough landlords and real estate agents who speak English that housing is not a problem. As an aside, housing is one of the benefits of living in Budapest - big, spacious apartments or houses for decent prices. Overall cost of living is low, and the salary is high for Hungary.

Certain "districts" (the city is divided into districts) have more English-speakers, such as districts 5,6,7 and 13, which are all close to the CEU. For better and for worse, one can live a comfortable expat existence in Budapest.

[Willing to travel]

Any news about this search?

[sched]

Interviews have been scheduled