As part of a recently launched partnership of Naturalis Biodiversity Center (Naturalis) with the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS), ‘s-Hertogenbosch and the Department of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence (CSAI) of the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) of Tilburg University (TiU), we are seeking an enthusiastic new colleague, whose scientific focus is on artificial intelligence with biodiversity as an application domain.

The candidate will be appointed at Tilburg University but his or her work will be equally divided between the Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden and the CSAI department in Tilburg. The successful candidate is expected to contribute: (1) to teaching in the bachelor/master program ‘Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence’ and/or the master program ‘Data Science and Society’ and (2) to perform research on artificial intelligence, in particular on topics of relevance to biodiversity, e.g enriching and opening up digital collections and data provided by human or automated nature observation networks, identification and taxonomic validation based on sound or visuals, the use of machine predictions in practical field applications. Besides excellent terms of employment, both Naturalis as CSAI offers its members access to modern research facilities, such as a computer cluster with GPU computing capability. Also, CSAI provides experimental labs, robots, virtual reality facilities, and sensing technologies. The successful candidate will also be involved in our AI and biodiversity activities in the context of the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) in 's-Hertogenbosch.

The position calls for ambitious scientists with experience in both academic teaching and research.
A successful candidate:

• has a PhD and a publication record in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or another relevant discipline;
• has a scientific track record in artificial intelligence;
• has a strong affinity with the biodiversity domain;
• has experience in developing and teaching bachelor and master courses, and experience with supervising master theses;
• has the ability to acquire external funding for research;
• is willing and able to work in an interdisciplinary team;
• has the ability to communicate in English fluently;
• has acquired or is willing to acquire the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ).

Candidates for both Assistant and Associate Professor positions can apply. If a position is offered, it will be in line with the background and experience of the candidate.

Fixed-term contract: tenure track position of five years.

The positions will be ranked in the Dutch university job ranking system (UFO) as assistant professor or associate professor (“universitair hoofddocent”), in line with the experience of the candidate. 
The starting gross salary for a full-time appointment for an assistant professor is (minimally) €3.637,- in scale 11 up to (maximally) € 5.656,- gross per month (max €78.935,- all-in per year). The starting gross salary for a full-time appointment for an associate professor is (minimally) € 5.039,- per month in scale 13 up to (maximally) € 6.133,- gross per month (max € 85,592 all-in per year).

Successful candidates receive a tenure track position of five years. In the track, agreements are made about development, after which, in the event of a positive assessment, a permanent appointment can be offered.
The start of the employment is negotiable with a high preference for starting December 1, 2020, at the latest.

The position is full time, half of which is at the Naturalis biodiversity center and half of which is at Tilburg University. Within CSAI, tasks are divided between teaching/management (65%) and research (35%). Tilburg University is rated among the top of Dutch employers and has excellent terms of employment. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their taxable salary. The university will apply for such an allowance on their behalf. The Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences will provide assistance in finding suitable accommodation. The university offers very good fringe benefits (it is one of the best non-profit employers in the Netherlands), such as a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% (annually), an options model for terms and conditions of employment and reimbursement of moving expenses. The collective labor agreement of the Dutch Universities applies.

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences

Research and education at the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) has a unique focus on humans in the context of the globalizing digital society, on the development of artificial intelligence and interactive technologies, on their impact on communication, culture and society, and on moral and existential challenges that arise. The School of Humanities and Digital Sciences consists of four departments: Communication and Cognition, Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, Culture Studies and Philosophy; several research institutes and a faculty office. Also the University College Tilburg is part of the School. Each year around 275 students commence a Bachelor or (Pre) Master Program. The School has approximately 2000 students and 250 employees.

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences