We invite applications for a tenure-track position in computer science, specifically working on explainable recommender systems. DKE research lines include recommender systems, as well as a strong applied mathematics component such as dynamic game theory (differential, evolutionary, spatial and stochastic game theory).

The position is supported by the large and growing Explainable and Reliable Artificial Intelligence (ERAI) group of DKE. The group consists of Associate & Assistant Professors, postdoctoral researchers, PhD candidates and master/bachelor students. The ERAI group works together closely on a day-to-day basis, to exchange knowledge, ideas, and research advancements. We conduct both fundamental and applied research, with a focus on Explainable Artificial Intelligence.

This group has a track record of strong industry (e.g., Twitter, IBM, Persgroep) collaboration, and (both national and international) research network such as involvement with a Marie-Curie European International Training Network on Interactive Natural Language Technology for Explainable Artificial Intelligence (NL4XAI), where 11 early stage researchers are working on explanations.

As an assistant professor, you will undertake cutting-edge research in an academic environment that is intellectually stimulating, welcoming, and collaborative. You will also contribute to our top-rated education, which is integrated with ongoing research in the department.

 Responsibilities | More specifically, you will:

• Conduct leading research in your field of expertise;
• Teach courses at the bachelor and master level (in English);
• Supervise students at all levels (BSc, MSc, PhD);
• Networking and collaborating with internal and external research partners;
• Secure research funding on a national and European level.

Profile | Our ideal candidate has:

• A PhD degree in computer science, artificial intelligence, computational social science, or similar;
• Demonstrated publications in Recommender Systems (e.g., Recsys, SIGIR, CHI, IUI, UMAP, TiiS, IJHCS, CHIIR, FAccT );
• Evidence of excellent research at an internationally competitive level;
• A proven track record in teaching;
• Experience with applying for research funding;
• Experience with guiding PhD students;
• Fluent mastery of the English language;
• A personality characterized by team spirit, ambition, and vision;
• A keenness to build bridges between disciplines and to work in an interdisciplinary environment.

We will help you develop yourself as a teacher and obtain a University Teaching Qualification (BKO, for basiskwalificatie onderwijs: an official certification for teaching at Dutch universities) through a training programme, in case you are not yet certified.

We hope you can start as soon as possible.

You will initially be employed on a temporary contract as an assistant professor (level 2). Together, we will put together a development plan with specific goals to meet. Five years into your appointment, we will evaluate those goals and promote you to assistant professor (level 1) on a permanent contract if the goals have been met. The evaluation can be brought forward if the goals are met earlier, or deferred at your request in case of personal circumstances such as pregnancy leave, parental leave or chronic illness.

We offer a salary as stipulated in the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities. Within this framework, we offer a competitive salary with a minimum of € 3.746 and a maximum of € 5.826 per month (depending on your experience) for a full-time position of 38 hours/week. On top of this, there is an annual holiday allowance (8% of annual income) and an annual end-of-year bonus (8.3% of annual income).

Applicants from outside The Netherlands may be eligible for the so-called 30% ruling, a tax cut for highly skilled migrants that applies for a maximum of five years. If you are moving to Maastricht from more than 40 kilometers away, you may qualify for a one-time reimbursement of your relocation costs

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Local UM provisions also apply. Notable terms include a pension scheme, an optional collective healthcare plan and partially paid parental leave. Furthermore, UM makes use of a selection model, which allows you to exchange employment conditions to adapt them to your preferences and circumstances. For more information, see www.maastrichtuniversity.nl

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized 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 6 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.

Living and working in Maastricht | DKE is housed in the historical city center of Maastricht, The Netherlands. Situated in the heart of Europe and within 30 kilometers from the German and Belgian borders, Maastricht and its 120,000 inhabitants have a strong international character. It is a safe and family-friendly city with a history spanning more than 2,000 years. The city’s rich past is reflected everywhere in the streets: the ratio of monuments-to-inhabitants is roughly 1:73. If you are unfamiliar with The Netherlands, UM’s Knowledge Centre for International Staff will gladly assist you with practical matters such as housing.

The Department of Data Science and Knowledge Engineering | Founded in 1992, we are a fast-growing department undertaking internationally respected research in the areas of data science, artificial intelligence, computer science, , applied mathematics, and robotics. Much of our research takes place at the interfaces of these disciplines. We maintain a large network of industry partners and provide education through one bachelor’s programme and two master’s programmes, all of which are nationally ranked #1 in their cohort according to the most recent education rankings.

Our new colleague(s) will be joining a tight-knit department consisting of ~60 principal investigators, postdocs and PhD students, 800 BSc and MSc students and a team of 15 dedicated support staff members. Together, we come from over 40 different countries.

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/dke

STEM research in Maastricht | DKE is embedded in the equally thriving Faculty of Science and Engineering. It’s exciting times for STEM research in the region of Zuid-Limburg, where Maastricht University (UM) is situated. For example, UM recently joined the Einstein Telescope Partnership coalition, which will bring STEM challenges to our doorstep through construction of the ET Pathfinder prototype in the near future. Furthermore, Zuid-Limburg is a hub for the high-tech industry. Maastricht University participates in the four regional Brightlands campuses: local tech ecosystems where fundamental and applied research, state-of-the-art facilities, industry partners and students meet. In addition, the university itself offers no shortage of inspiring collaborators through our international network and the five other faculties of UM.

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fse