The Department of Earth Sciences at Utrecht University is seeking a highly motivated and high-potential colleague with research and teaching interests and expertise in the field of tectonics.

The ideal candidate is a scientist who applies and develops novel modelling techniques for a quantitative analysis of tectonic concepts applied to lithospheric and crustal scale deformation and inspired or validated by field studies, regional-scale observations and reconstructions of sedimentary basins and/or orogens. Research linked to issues of societal relevance, such as geo-resources, energy transition or geo-hazards, is encouraged. Fields of interest include, but are not limited to: novel concepts of numerical and/or analogue modelling, deformation processes and tectonics at the outcrop to regional scale, linking temporal and spatial scales in deformation and geo-hazards, applications in geo-resources and energy transition, and sedimentary basins and/or orogenic evolution.

You will strengthen research and teaching in the Department of Earth Sciences and develop your own internationally recognised research programme that should be complementary to and support the current teams and departmental efforts. You will supervise and train PhD students and ideally conduct research in collaboration with a wide range of groups within and outside the department. A multi-disciplinary approach is encouraged.

You are expected to contribute to BSc and MSc courses in the Utrecht Earth Sciences programmes, including fieldwork teaching. On average, the department aims for an equal contribution in educational activities and in research for all its tenured academic staff.

Our current research in this area includes field to regional scale studies of plate tectonics, orogenesis and sedimentary basins evolution, lithosphere- and crustal- scale mechanics, analogue and numerical modelling of regional tectonic processes, energy transition (such as geothermal) and applications to other geo-resources and natural hazards. The Tectonics group hosts the TecLab, a world-class analogue modelling facility embedded in the European Plate Observing System (EPOS). Although specific analogue modelling expertise is not a pre-requisite, you are expected to contribute to the further development of this facility. The group is also active in the development and application of new tectonic modelling concepts for addressing regional scale problems.

The department hosts advanced laboratory facilities, including the new Earth Simulation Laboratory cluster incorporating the TecLab. The department also offers extensive computing infrastructure, a high pressure & temperature lab, a paleomagnetic lab, expertise in paleogeography and paleoclimate reconstruction, several flume facilities, as well as excellent analytical facilities, including well-equipped stable isotope and organic geochemical laboratories.

We are looking for a strong team player with good communication and networking skills, who is focused on achieving multidisciplinary research targets and participating in the acquisition of research funding and advanced new equipment. A minimum experience of two years as a Postdoctoral Researcher is highly recommended.

As a successful candidate you should:

• have a PhD degree in solid Earth Sciences or a relevant natural science;
• be skilled in (analogue) modelling of lithospheric and/or crustal-scale tectonic processes;
• be skilled in the application of modelling tools to quantify processes observed in sedimentary basins and/or orogens, preferably with a link towards societal-relevant issues;
• be committed to multi- and interdisciplinary research;
• have strong communication, networking and organisational skills;
• have an outstanding record of academic research, as reflected in high-quality publications;
• be willing to actively obtain research grants and actively develop new research lines;
• have obtained a basic teaching qualification (at Utrecht University or equivalent), or be willing to obtain this qualification in the near future;
• be an inspiring mentor to BSc, MSc  and PhD students;
• have a keen eye for public outreach.

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 full-time position will be offered as an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University, initially for two years. Halfway through the second year an evaluation for extension will be made. At the latest halfway through the fourth year an assessment will be made in which it is evaluated whether the position will be converted to a tenured position or will end after four years.

Based on your experience and qualifications, the gross monthly salary starts in the first year at a minimum of €3,475 and a maximum of €5,405 (scale 11 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, 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 & 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 students 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.