The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning at Utrecht University is looking for an Assistant Professor in Economic Geography to further strengthen its research and teaching activities. 
You will teach in several educational programs, from Bachelor's to Research Master's level. Your input in courses will depend on your own expertise and fields of interest. Furthermore, you will supervise students working on their Bachelor's and Master's theses. You will also take up (educational) management tasks.

You are expected to be active in research that relates to and/or extends topics of the Urban Futures research programme. This will include contributing to the acquisition and execution of externally funded projects.

The Economic Geography group excels in research and is internationally known for developing the Evolutionary Economic Geography programme. We expect candidates to have strong affinity with this programme, contribute to its further development, do interdisciplinary research, and connect to other groups in the Department. We intend to strengthen our research expertise in topics like location of firms, institutions, migration, innovation networks, and regional (innovation) policy. You will be supervised by and collaborate with Prof Ron Boschma and Prof Carolina Castaldi.

Our preference goes to more experienced candidates. Proficiency in Dutch is considered an advantage.

You are expected to:

• hold a doctoral degree (PhD) in a relevant field (Geography, Economics, Management, or a related discipline);
• have a proven affinity with Economic Geography research, both in terms of topics and methods;
• have experience in teaching, and willingness to continuously improve your teaching methods;
• acquire the Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO) of Utrecht University, or if not obtained yet a similar qualification;
• have an interest and experience in research that matches our research profile;
• have published in international peer-reviewed academic journals;
• have experience in acquiring and carrying out externally funded projects;
• be well connected to relevant academic partners as well as stakeholders in society;
• have excellent communication skills and be a team player;
• be fluent in English (C1) and proficient in Dutch (B2 for speaking and writing, C1 for reading and listening) or willing to acquire this level by training.

Depending on the profile and experience of the candidate we offer a tenure track or a tenured position as an Assistant Professor. Exceptionally qualified candidates may be hired at a higher level. 

For the tenure track we offer a temporary position (0.8-1.0 FTE) for 6 years in combination with a 4-year tenure track qualification programme. Your performance will be subject to annual evaluations as well as an end-term evaluation after 3.5 years. Following a positive evaluation - based on the faculty performance indicators - your employment will become permanent after 4 years, or sooner depending on the moment you qualify. In case the 3.5-year evaluation is not satisfactory, the contract will be terminated. A continuation after the first four years is exclusively possible for the purpose of compensation of maternity or parental leave or other recognized delays. Further career development to Associate Professor (level 2) is possible, depending on qualification.

The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €3,637 and €4,978 (scale 11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) 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. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

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.

Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning has its focus on the enhancement of the long-term economic development of cities, how to cope with social inequalities, and how to accelerate sustainability transitions of cities and infrastructures. Research on these topics takes place within our research programme “Urban Futures: Transitions Towards Economic and Social Sustainability for Cities”.

Our research programme is the basis for our Research Master's Human Geography and Geographical Information Management and Applications and Professional Master's in Spatial Planning, Human Geography and International Development Studies. The department also runs a large and highly appreciated Bachelor's programme and is part of the Netherlands Graduate School of Urban and Regional Research for PhD candidates. Unique characteristics of the Department are a special team focusing on innovations within teaching methods, its strong involvement in the transdisciplinary sustainability research theme and professional consultancy for public partners. 

The culture of the department, and the Economic Geography group in particular is open, collaborative and ambitious.