The Department of Physical Geography at Utrecht University has a distinct profile in research on land surface processes, natural hazards, hydrology, coast and river processes and morphology, spatio-dynamic modelling, earth observation and image processing. Our mountain hydrology group focuses on the fundamental understanding of the high-altitude water cycle and mountain related natural hazards and extremes. At the larger scale we are also excited about how climate change impacts the water supply from mountain ranges and how that is connected to downstream demand. We combine exciting fieldwork in the mountains, with numerical modelling and remote sensing. Our overarching aim is to contribute to the solution of major scientific and societal challenges, as mountains provide both a vital water supply for a large part of the global population and are a hotspot of climate change and frequent natural disasters.

Do you share our enthusiasm? Do you want to work with inspired researchers and establish a research line related to data science, remote sensing and numerical modelling in extreme environments? Describe your dream research line in a two-page document accompanied by a thoughtful motivation letter in which you also explain what attracts you to our group. We particularly welcome research lines that address mountain specific societal challenges using novel data science and remote sensing methodologies.

You are expected to acquire funding from national and European science funding agencies for personal fellowships, PhDs and postdocs. We offer you specialized support for your funding application process. You will be involved in the co-supervision of PhD candidates and postdocs, sharing responsibility for field work, and presenting results in journal papers and at international conferences, in collaboration with the other staff. You will also contribute to our courses in the Earth Science Bachelor and Master programmes, strengthening data science and remote sensing content in particular.

You hold a PhD degree in a relevant area, such as physical geography, hydrology, environmental engineering, earth surface dynamics or a closely related field. You have a strong affinity with quantitative methods rooted in data-science and remote sensing. You are passionate about mountains and extreme environments and you are are willing and capable of undertaking fieldwork in sometimes challenging circumstances. You have an exciting research vision to complement ours. Your academic track record offers funding potential for personal fellowships, PhDs and postdocs. You have affinity for teaching and either have obtained or are willing to obtain your Basic Teaching Qualification. You are able to demonstrate excellent English language proficiency. We require a qualification English at C1 level (CEFR or comparable to level 3 of the Lecturer Assessment Grid) or you are prepared to obtain this level by training. Our department is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce, and we strongly welcome women to apply.

For the tenure track we offer a temporary position (0.8 - 1.0 FTE) for six 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 four 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 €3,746 and €5,127 (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 the choice for a good balance between work and private (a good arrangement for leave, among other things), possibilities for development and an excellent pension scheme 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.

More information about the department Physical Geography is available here.