The Leiden Institute of Physics (LION) is searching a new faculty member in the area of cosmology, to be appointed within the Institute Lorentz for theoretical physics. For this position, we are particularly interested in candidates with a focus on cosmology with gravitational waves and/or with a unique approach that connects with our existing research lines in dark matter, dark energy and inflation.

We offer a tenure track that upon successful performance will lead to promotion to a tenured position as an associate professor and upon continued growth in that performance to promotion to a full professor position. We offer a clear and inviting career path, support in the development of your personal and professional skills, and an attractive start-up package. We actively support learning Dutch through departmentally funded courses.

Key responsibilities

• Establishing an independent, internationally recognized research line in gravitation and cosmology;
• Acquisition of external funds through research grants;
• Teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level in physics;
• Supervision of BSc and MSc students in their thesis work;
• Contribution to the inclusive atmosphere, management and organization of the institute.

• PhD degree in physics and research experience at the postgraduate level;
• Demonstrated strong interest in an academic career through activities and publication record;
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal;
• Strong commitment to teaching and willingness to further develop teaching skills.

We offer a full-time, 6 year term position, with the possibility of a tenure position based on performance. Salary range from €3,637.- to €4,978.- gross per month based on a full-time position (pay scale 11 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). depending on previous qualifications and experience.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses(8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break for the first five years of their employment.

Leiden University

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. We are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,200 staff and almost 4,200 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. For more information, see Faculty of Science.

The cosmology community at the Leiden Institute of Physics consists of the groups of Ana Achucarro (inflation), Alexey Boyarsky (dark matter/astroparticle), and Alessandra Silvestri (dark energy). The groups are embedded in the Leiden Institute of Physics, which features a broad research spectrum ranging from biological and soft matter to quantum matter and cosmology, as well as a long-standing tradition of excellence in physics research. The institute offers access to state-of-the-art research facilities and fosters an international atmosphere with strong interactions among the various groups. Within the Leiden Faculty of Science, the Cosmology groups have a very close connection with the Leiden Observatory. They run a joint MSc degree in Cosmology and collaborate on numerous projects.