The Faculty of Science and Engineering has a vacancy for a tenure track assistant or associate professor in Polymer Science in the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials.
We offer a challenging position in a stimulating, diverse international research environment in a world-class academic institute with a multi-disciplinary research programme that encourages close collaborations between theoretical and experimental groups with different expertise. The Faculty has a wide range of international degree programmes and practically all courses are taught in English.

We are looking for an outstanding polymer scientist, who is an enthusiastic teacher and is able to start internationally recognized new research initiatives based on advanced (synthetic) high-molecular-weight polymer systems (chemical, physical, engineering, processing, or theoretical aspects). Possible research topics include, but are not limited to, (biologically inspired) strategies to develop new concepts in material science, responsive/switchable polymer concepts for advanced membrane or hydrogel systems.

Synergy with ongoing research programmes at the Zernike Institute (see the webpage for details: https://www.rug.nl/research/zernike/research/program) is an advantage (but exact overlap of a research line with a Zernike staff member is not desirable). We will support the candidate with an attractive start-up package, access to local state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities, which are constantly being improved to strengthen our programme.

We seek candidates with:
• a PhD degree and at least two years of postdoctoral experience abroad (industrial experience can partially compensate for this requirement)
• excellent research qualities, as evidenced by a publication record in international peer-reviewed journals and renowned conferences, and a relevant international network
• teaching and organizational experience appropriate to career stage
• experience with acquisition of external funding appropriate to career stage.

Who are:
• team players with good communications skills
• fluent in English
• willing to fulfil the requirements for the University Teaching Qualification
• willing to learn the Dutch language.

Tenure-track Assistant Professor
The University of Groningen offers a gross monthly salary dependent on qualifications and work experience from € 3,475 (salary scale 11 Dutch Universities) up to a maximum of € 5,405 (salary scale 12) gross per month for a full-time position. The appointment will be initially for a maximum of 7 years at the level of tenure track Assistant Professor. After 5 years an assessment of performance based on established criteria will take place (see for details Career paths in Science edition 3). If the outcome of the assessment is positive, the assistant professor will be promoted to associate professor with tenure. There will be another assessment at the end of a further 4-7 year period for the promotion to full professor.

Associate Professor (tenured)
The appointment of Associate Professor will be a tenured appointment. The gross monthly salary, dependent on qualifications and work experience, will be from € 4,815 (salary scale 13 Dutch Universities) up to a maximum of € 6,438 (salary scale 14) gross per month for a full-time position. There will be an assessment at the end of a 4-7 - years period for the promotion to full professor.
Please note that although primary scouting for junior faculty members, senior candidates with exceptional qualifications may be appointed at higher (e.g. Full Professor) level after individual consultation of the Zernike Institute’s Scientific director to the dean.

The salary will show an annual increase within the scale. In addition to the primary salary the University offers 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

The University of Groningen is an equal-opportunity employer and has adopted an active policy to increase the number of female scientists. Therefore, female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

The University of Groningen provides career services for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen.

Application
You may apply for this position at least until 14 December / 15 December 2017 Dutch local time by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website). The applications will be separately considered as soon as possible after the submission and the application form will remain active until the position is filled. We expect to inform candidates about our decision around 15 January 2018 and the interviews are scheduled for 13 and 14 February 2018 (please block these dates in your agenda, there are no alternative dates available).

Interested candidates are kindly asked to submit a letter of motivation, a curriculum vitae (including 5 references), a list of publications, a list of five self-selected "best papers" (not copies of the papers), a statement on teaching goals and experience, and a brief description of her/his scientific research plan (maximum: 3 pages).

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Faculty of Science and Engineering

Since its founding in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre of higher education, offering high quality teaching and research. Balanced study and career paths in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 30.000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Belonging to the best research universities in Europe and joining forces with prestigious partner universities and networks, the University of Groningen is truly an international place of knowledge.