The Maastricht Sustainability Institute (MSI), which is part of the School of Business and Economics (SBE) of Maastricht University (UM), is looking for a new Head who will take the lead in the Institute’s strategy and play a crucial role in SBE’s overall strategy towards 2025.

MSI’s ambition is to become the Sustainability Hub of UM as well as of the whole EU region. MSI strives to contribute to a better world by addressing sustainable development issues through scientific research and high-quality education. A combined approach of sustainability assessment, innovation for sustainability, and governance for sustainable development is at the heart of the Institute. Our approach is interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary, characterised by co-creation with non-academic actors.

The new Head will be responsible for the overall management of the Institute and will take an active role in optimally aligning the Institute’s activities in Research, Education, External funding, Academic citizenship and leadership, and Dissemination and impact (REEAD). S/he will be responsible for cultivating and developing the Institute’s human capital within a positive and welcoming academic work environment. S/he will be responsible for budget and for maintaining a viable and administratively well run Institute. The new Head will also contribute to the Institute’s academic and professional exposure and foster institutional appreciation for non-academic and societal-relevant output. 

What we offer:

• A temporary role as Head of the Institute for a period of three years with the possibility to extend this term once.
• A five-year position (with a possibility for a permanent contract afterwards) for 0.8 to 1 fte as Professor or Associate Professor in the field of sustainability and/or sustainable development, depending on academic merits in research, education, leadership and outreach.
• A salary scale depending on qualifications and work experience, based on our Collective Labour Agreement (CAO-NU).
• An attractive package of fringe benefits, such as substantial leave arrangements, a pension scheme, relocation allowance, possibilities for personal development, and more.

Time commitment in this position is roughly as follows:

• Management: Head of Institute, strategic and administrative role (incl. HR and finance responsibilities), liaising with SBE, UM faculties and others, etc. (40%)
• Research: acquisition, working in projects, carrying out research, supervising PhDs, etc. (25%)
• Education: course development, teaching, supervising master students, etc. (25%)
• Dissemination: promoting the Institute, active involvement in societal impact, etc. (10%)

What we are looking for:

• Demonstrated experience managing an academic group and experience in motivating and inspiring staff by using interpersonal, intercultural and leadership skills focused on connecting, motivating and developing individuals.
• A forward thinking attitude with the ability to set clear goals.
• A team player with excellent communication skills who can contribute to an inclusive and sustainable working environment.
• A proven track record in student centred learning approaches. Enthusiasm for the Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach is required, experience in PBL settings is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to attract external funding for research and/or education.
• Ample experience collaborating with non-academic partners and creating societal impact.

Fixed-term contract: 5 years (with a possibility for a permanent contract afterwards).

Maastricht University salaries are competitive and the terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University (UM) is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterised by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 20,000 students and 4,700 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts six faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Located in the heart of Europe, UM is the most international university in the Netherlands with half of our students and one third of academic staff coming from abroad. In total, UM represents 100 different nationalities. UM is a stimulating environment where research and teaching are complementary, where innovation is our focus and where talent can flourish. Research is characterised by a multidisciplinary, thematic, and collaborative approach, and with education, forms the core of UM.

Eager to learn more? Watch this video to get a sense of our university culture, the city of Maastricht, and your potential working environment, or take our virtual campus tour

School of Business and Economics

The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is one of the youngest Faculties of Business and Economics in the Netherlands. It has a distinctive international profile and is Triple Crown accredited. It provides high-quality education and conducts excellent research with an international perspective. SBE strongly believes in creating close collaborations with its academic partners and societal stakeholders, its students and alumni, and with businesses and organisations in the Limburg Euregion, the Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the world.

Maastricht Sustainability Institute

The Maastricht Sustainability Institute (MSI), founded as ICIS in 1998, has undergone a transition from an institute with a relatively modest educational task into an institute with high ambitions in research and education. The MSI vision is to use research and education to contribute to a better world by addressing sustainable development problems and challenges, by co-creating knowledge with stakeholders, and by developing students into team players and leaders for the future. The MSI mission is to contribute to knowledge, innovation and action for sustainable development at local and regional levels, as a basis for global sustainability. Research and education at MSI are aiming for a combined focus on assessment, innovation and governance for sustainable development. MSI research explicitly embraces complexity and normativity, rather than simplifying it, and it takes interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to generate societal impact. Knowledge brokering, boundary work, and action-research are concepts that suit MSI well. MSI shows that this approach results in research that is not only scientifically sound, but also highly relevant to practice. The Master's programme Sustainability Science, Policy and Society attracts a large international student population. The institute is also working on a new Master's programme Sustainable Business (with University of York), and the UM-wide Minor Sustainability. The multidisciplinary staff (ca. 20 fte/40 persons) has an interdisciplinary working style and strong interest in transdisciplinary approaches for addressing sustainability problems. The financial situation and viability of the institute is good. For more information about MSI, please visit our website: www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/msi