Do you harbor a specific interest in innovation processes across disciplines? Are you eager to actively contribute your research towards fostering more inclusive innovation processes and educational advancements in this domain? If so, consider joining the Athena Institute at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

We seek candidates with a strong interest in education for a career track position beginning at the level of University Lecturer 2. In this role, 70% of your responsibilities will involve teaching in both undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the department. The remaining 30% will be dedicated to conducting and contributing to research.
Your teaching focus will center on innovation processes, encompassing technological advancements (such as new drugs and artificial intelligence), care innovations (including prevention strategies and more efficient care processes), and system innovations (such as changes in financing and fostering new collaborations). These innovations play a significant role in our society, involving a diverse array of stakeholders such as scientists, policymakers, insurers, healthcare providers, industry professionals, and patients. In your teaching, you will explore how these stakeholders, from their respective perspectives, influence innovation processes and how an inter- or transdisciplinary approach can shape these dynamics.

As part of your teaching duties, you will serve as a coordinator, lecturer, and potentially a workgroup leader in courses offered by the Athena Institute. Additionally, you will supervise master's students during their research internships.

Your research endeavors can delve into various aspects of inter- and transdisciplinary research related to technological innovation processes. Moreover, you have the opportunity to explore innovations in education to enhance the delivery of this type of education. Depending on your interests, you may participate in ongoing research projects at Athena in both teaching and research capacities.

The candidate for this position:

• Holds a PhD in a program related to the field of innovation management.
• Has a proven track record of teaching experience, including course development and coordination, specifically within the realm of innovation management.
• Demonstrates exceptional teaching skills and is regarded as an inspiring educator, as evidenced by student evaluations and other relevant metrics.
• Possesses a basic teaching qualification (BKO).
• Has a broad scientific and social network within the field of expertise.
• Exhibits the ability to establish and foster networks with both scientific institutions and social organizations.
• Has extensive experience collaborating in interdisciplinary teams, demonstrating openness, flexibility, adaptability, proactivity, and a proactive attitude.
• Possesses strong communication skills, enabling successful interaction with students, communities, users, stakeholders, and researchers from diverse disciplines.
• Maintains a robust and relevant publication track record appropriate to their career stage.
• Has excellent command of English, with a basic knowledge of Dutch being advantageous.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months.

A challenging career track position from Assistant Professor 2 to Assistant Professor 1 in a socially involved organization (research, education 30%:70%). At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 4.332,00 (Scale 11) and maximum € 5.929,00 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Lecturer / Asisstant Professor 2. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 18 months. After a successful evaluation in your 15th month, permanent employment will be granted.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• child daycare facilities available on campus
• the possibility to work partly from home

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Athena institute
The Athena Institute addresses complex societal issues, like climate change, health inequality and social injustice. We do this by designing, facilitating and studying multi-stakeholder processes. Together with all actors involved, we investigate how to instigate system transformation.

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely. - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 5,500 staff work at the VU and over 30,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of the VU. The VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter.

Selection process and the interviews

1. First Interview: an introductory interview of 30 minutes with one or two members of the selection committee.
2. Second Round: a 45-minute interview with two members of the selection committee. For this interview, we request a writing sample (the most relevant scientific article) and a one pager research and teaching statement.
3. Third Round: the third round involves an interview with an appointment advisory committee (the so called BAC). When invited for this round, candidates receive a tailor-made assignment and are asked to provide names of three referees. In case of a tie or any concerns, we may contact one or more of the referees.

All enquiries will be treated informally and confidentially and will not be considered in the selection decision. Formal criteria for appointment at the level of assistant professor are available upon request but minimally include having completed a PhD and having 10 international peer reviewed publications.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.