We are looking for an Assistant to Associate Professor (see The University of Groningen Career Paths in Science) in the area computational protein (re)design. The candidate is expected to integrate advances in computer sciences and multiscale modeling with clever experimental concepts to (re)design biological macromolecules. The envisioned research group uses computer sciences (computational design, multiscale modeling, machine learning) and combines this with experimental research profiting from existing expertise in biochemistry (e.g. enzymology, protein engineering, drug design) to further our understanding of the molecular processes of life and to expand the potential of enzymes and other biomolecules for biotechnological or biomedical purposes. The position will be embedded within the GBB research group Biotransformation and Biocatalysis (Marco Fraaije, Dick Janssen) and complements research at GBB (e.g. Albert Guskov, Cristina Paulino, Siewert-Jan Marrink, Kasia Tych), the Stratingh Institute (e.g. Gerard Roelfes), and the Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy (e.g. Gerrit Poelarends). For artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence is a logic partner.

As an Assistant Professor you will:

• set up and develop your own research line and research group
• supervise PhD students
• acquire external funding
• promote the societal relevance of your research
• teach in and contribute to the development of the BSc and MSc degree programmes in the life sciences, life sciences and technology and chemistry
• contribute to the organisation of the faculty, for example by participating in working groups and committees, in the domains of teaching, research and management.

At the stage of Assistant Professor 60% of your time is for research, 30% for teaching activities and 10% for organisational tasks.

We encourage you to apply if you have:

• a PhD degree in a relevant discipline
• at least two years of postdoctoral experience outside of the Netherlands, preferably in a different country than where you received your PhD, and a relevant international network
• excellent research qualities that demonstrate originality in addressing significant questions in the area (computational) protein design or molecular enzyme engineering and show an outstanding publication record in international peer-reviewed journals
• a good track record in teaching, appropriate to your career stage
• independently supervised PhD students (associate professor)
• received substantial research grants from external sources (associate professor)
• demonstrable organisational competences
• a cross-cultural mindset
• excellent command of spoken and written English.

And you are:

• a clearly visible expert in your field, appropriate to your career stage
• an inspiring leader who stimulates his or her group members to get the best out of themselves
• a team player with good communication skills
• able to acquire substantial research grants from external sources
• willing to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (Dutch: BKO) within three years
• able to speak the Dutch language or motivated to speak it within five years.

Fixed-term contract: 84 months.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• as an Assistant Professor: a salary, depending on qualifications and work experience, from € 3,746 (salary scale 11) up to a maximum of € 5,826 (scale 12) gross per month based on a full-time position (1.0 FTE)
• as an Associate Professor: a salary, depending on qualifications and work experience, from € 5,190 (salary scale 13) up to a maximum of € 6,940 (salary scale 14) gross per month based on a full-time position (1.0 FTE)
• holiday allowance and year-end bonus of respectively 8% and 8.3% of your gross yearly salary
• a pension scheme
• support for maternity and parental leave
• a full-time position as an Assistant or Associate Professor in our faculty’s tenure track system Career Paths in Science and the possibility to work part-time (0.9 FTE or 0.8 FTE)
• a mentor programme and a broad range of opportunities for personal development
• dual career support for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen.

Consider our website for more information about the working conditions at the University of Groningen: https://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/that-is-why/

As an Assistant Professor you will enter a tenure track which, if followed successfully, will lead to a Full Professorship in approximately 10 years. In case of a full-time contract, you will initially be appointed for seven years and your performance will be assessed after five years. This moment may be extended with at most one year in case of a life event (e.g. prolonged illness or maternity leave). If your assessment is positive, you will first get a tenured appointment as an Associate Professor. Four to seven years after being appointed as anAssociate Professor, you will be assessed for promotion to the position of Full Professor. Please consider Career Paths in Science for a complete description of our tenure track system as well as the criteria for promotion: https://www.rug.nl/fse/organization/vacatures/vacatures/career-paths-in-science-edition-4?lang=en.

Faculty of Science and Engineering

The University of Groningen is a research university with a global outlook, deeply rooted in Groningen, City of Talent (http://www.rug.nl/about-us/who-are-we/discover-groningen/). Quality has been our top priority for over four hundred years, and with success: the University is currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) is the largest faculty within the University. We offer first-rate education and research in a wide range of science and engineering disciplines, from classical disciplines such as mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry and mechanical engineering, to interdisciplinary fields such as artificial intelligence, computer science, pharmacy and material science. Our community has an open and informal character with students and staff from around the world.

The position we offer will be embedded in the the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB – http://www.rug.nl/gbb), one of the larger institutes of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE). GBB provides an excellent environment for top-notch research in the field of biomolecular sciences. Twelve vibrant research groups with strong roots in biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, cell biology, computational biology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, and systems biology are organised in two focal areas: ‘Molecular Mechanisms of Biological Processes’ and ‘Physiology and Systems Biology’.