If you have applied to the first call for this position, please do not apply to this second (modified) call, unless a significant change in your cv has occurred.

The Department of Earth Sciences at Utrecht University has an opening for a very motivated and high-potential colleague with both research and teaching interests and expertise in Computational (Environmental) Hydrogeology. The candidate should have an appreciation for and in-depth knowledge of hydrogeological transport phenomena and offering education in this field.

Research interests may range from fundamental Earth Science research (e.g., modelling and quantitative analysis of hydrogeological processes at the local and/or (regional) field scale), to geothermal energy, seasonal storage of thermal energy, flow and transport of contaminants, seawater intrusion, drinking water production and artificial recharge.

The Department of Earth Science combines research and teaching in Earth Sciences with related science and engineering disciplines. The candidate will supervise and train PhD candidates and ideally conduct research in collaboration with a wide range of groups within and outside the Department where a multi-disciplinary approach is encouraged and appreciated. The candidate is expected to contribute to both BSc and MSc courses in the Utrecht Earth Sciences curriculum. Please note that an important teaching responsibility for a potential candidate is related to the (existing) MSc course Hydrogeological Transport Phenomena, which is one of the key courses offered by the Environmental Hydrogeology Group (EHG). On average, the Department aims for equal contributions in educational and research activities for its entire tenured academic staff.

 

The current research spectrum of the EHG ranges from rather fundamental research (related to the pore-scale processes concerning dynamic multi-phase fluid flow and reactive solute transport) to applied research questions (including clogging of water supply wells and fast high-volume injection in the subsurface), typically meeting the needs of society. The wide fundamental knowledge of transport in porous media, together with the established integrated experimental and computational laboratory, has enabled EHG to perform cutting-edge research in diverse fields of engineering, geosciences, and biomechanics.

We are looking for a strong team player with excellent communication and networking skills, who is focused on achieving multidisciplinary research targets and participating in the acquisition of research funding and advanced new equipment. You are expected to have an excellent level of English. Within two years of the appointment, Dutch language skills should be at the level of practical communication. A minimum experience of two years as a Postdoctoral Researcher is highly recommended.

The successful candidate should:

• have a PhD degree in Earth Sciences, Hydrogeology, Applied Mathematics or a relevant (natural) science;
• be skilled in numerical and or mathematical modelling of hydrogeological flow and transport processes, preferably with a link towards issues relevant for society;
• be willing to actively acquire competitive NWO-ENW/TTW and EU research grants and actively develop new research lines;
• be committed to conducting multi- and interdisciplinary research;
• have strong communication, networking and organisational skills;
• have an outstanding record of academic research reflected in high-quality publications;
• have obtained a basic teaching qualification (at Utrecht University BKO or equivalent), or be willing to obtain this qualification in a near future;
• be an inspiring mentor to BSc, MSc and PhD candidates;
• have a keen eye for public outreach.

We expect international candidates to move to The Netherlands before, or shortly after the start of the appointment.

A full-time position will be offered at the Assistant Professor level at Utrecht University, initially for a period of two years. Halfway through the second year an evaluation for extension will be made for two more years. At the latest halfway through the fourth year an assessment will be made to evaluate whether the position should be converted into a tenured position or should end after four years. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €3,475 and €5,405 (scale 11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) gross per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8 % and a year-end bonus of 8.3 % per year. We offer a pension scheme, (partly paid) parental leave, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information is available at: working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University offers a wide spectrum of education and research applied to the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and anthroposphere. The Faculty is committed to interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration, and plays a key role in the Dutch national research structure. It embodies four Departments: Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, Innovation, Environmental & Energy Sciences and Human Geography and Urban & Regional Planning.

The Department of Earth Sciences is the largest academic Earth Sciences Institute in the Netherlands, and among the larger ones in Europe. We conduct teaching and research across the full range of the Solid Earth and Environmental Earth Sciences, with activities covering most areas of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, biogeosciences and hydrogeology. The Department is an international organisation hosting over 45 tenured scientists and more than 100 PhD candidates and Postdoctoral Researchers. The research programmes in Earth Sciences are structured around four overarching focus themes: Climate and Life, Earth interior, Earth materials, and Environmental Earth Sciences.

The Department has other advanced laboratory facilities on campus, including the joint Deltares, TNO and Utrecht University environmental laboratory 'Utrecht Castel' and the new Earth Simulation Laboratory cluster. In addition, the Department offers an extensive computing infrastructure, a high pressure & temperature laboratory, a paleo-magnetic laboratory, expertise in paleogeography and paleoclimate reconstruction, several flume facilities, as well as excellent analytical facilities, including well equipped stable isotope and organic geochemical laboratories.