Before joining AUC, he spent many years in Groningen where he studied English (BA), Literary & Cultural Studies (MA) and completed his PhD dissertation (cum laude) on the Holocaust in contemporary Jewish American literature. He was a Visiting Professor at the University of Ghent, taught American Studies at the University of Groningen, and English at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences. In addition to his work at AUC, Joost is an advisor to the Dutch Foundation of Literature.