The Department of Information and Computing Sciences (ICS) is nationally and internationally renowned for its fundamental and applied research in computer science and information science. In our constantly changing (digital) society, we are continually looking for new, realistic ways to push the boundaries of both science and societal application. We contribute to innovative information technologies through the development and application of new concepts, theories, algorithms, and software methods. With our expertise, we nourish a wide range of interdisciplinary and societal collaboration initiatives.

The Department has grown significantly in the past years. Due to this growth and the upcoming retirement of some of our professors we envisage having appointed eight new full professors by the end of 2024 in the following fields of expertise: software systems (preferably in software production, and software and information security), artificial intelligence and data science (preferably in machine learning, responsible AI, and natural Language processing) and interaction (preferably in data-driven interaction).

We are now actively searching to fill four positions. Since we aim to continue to increase the participation of women in Information and Computing Sciences (both students and staff), we wish to appoint at least two female full professors. Additionally, we have one position open that is not tied to any specific area, exclusively reserved for female candidates, a Westerdijk chair*. 

In Software Systems, we have research groups on Software Technology, Software Technology for Teaching and Learning, Software Production, and Business Process Management and Analytics. We lead the research masters on Computing Science and Business Informatics, and co-lead the bachelors Informatics and Information Science. We engage closely with industry and public sector partners to study the development and adoption of software technology and software production methods.

In Artificial Intelligence & Data Science, we have research groups on Intelligent Systems, Data Intensive Systems, Data Mining, and Natural Language Processing. We lead the multidisciplinary research master in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, and co-lead the Applied Data Science master and Artificial Intelligence bachelor.  We closely collaborate with the public sector and companies, for example in our National Police Lab AI and AI & Mobility Lab. We also work closely with other disciplines, for example in the university's Human Centered AI and Applied Data Science focus areas.

In Interaction Technology, we have research groups on Human Centered Computing, Game and Media Technology, Social and Affective Computing, and Visualisation and Graphics. We lead the Research Masters on Game & Media Technology and Human-Computer Interaction, and co-lead the Bachelor Information Science. Our state-of-the-art facilities include a Human-Centered Computing lab for prototyping interactive systems and conducting user studies and a Motion Capture and Virtual Reality Lab with full body motion capture equipment. We co-lead the multidisciplinary AI & Media and AI & Healthy Living labs and the Center for Game Research. 

As a full professor you are a committed, internationally acknowledged and leading scientist with expertise in one of the areas of Information and Computing Science. Your ambition is to lead the further development of research, the quality of education (both in teaching and curriculum development) and the achievement of societal impact in the field of information and computing sciences. You seek internal and external (interdisciplinary) collaboration and acquire funding for research, developing new research collaborations and new application areas. You are an inspiring educator with enthusiasm for teaching.

Alongside you will take a leading role in your field of expertise, you also play an important role in creating a workplace that is supportive, socially safe and inclusive, further enhancing scientific integrity and working together towards open science. You have a clear view of how to achieve this as a leading staff member.

The Department provides a dynamic, informal and international work environment. Our approach is characterized by a connected, open, and can-do spirit that stimulates personal initiative and curiosity. You are a team player who encourages taking ownership and create value while sharing your knowledge both internally and across the wider (global) community.

If you are excited to actively participate and collaborate in shaping our developing department, we invite you to apply. It is important that when you apply, you make clear where and how you see that your expertise fits the overall research and education portfolio of the department, including the relationship with (future) external stakeholders. 

*A Westerdijk chair is a position especially installed to be occupied by a female professor. It is named after Johanna Westerdijk, appointed at Utrecht University in 1917 as the first female full professor in the Netherlands.

We are looking for new colleagues to complement our team at an academic as well as a personal level, who fit well with the following qualifications:

• a PhD in Computer Science, Information Science or another relevant discipline;
• an internationally acknowledged research line with a strong publication track record on original research of high impact;
• an active player in international scientific communities;
• experience in and a personal view on how to lead a group of scientists and create and sustain a supportive, collaborative and inclusive work environment;
• demonstrated ability to acquire external funding for research and innovation;
• driven to explore and forge new collaborations in- and outside academia;
• enthusiasm for education and experience with student supervision, ability to teach in BSc and MSc programmes;
• experience in and aspiration for further development of courses and programmes.

• a tenured position as full professor;
• a full-time gross salary ranging from €5,864 to €8,539 in scale H2 at full professor level;
• benefits including an 8% holiday bonus and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement (cao) Dutch Universities;
• a starting package that is negotiable and depends on what is necessary to give you a running start in the department;
• assistance in finding housing and, if applicable, help with finding employment for a partner and schools for children;
• in addition to the employment conditions laid down in the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. For example, there are agreements on professional development, leave arrangements and sports. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment via the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we like to encourage you to continue to grow.

More information about working at the Faculty of Science can be found here.

At the Faculty of Science, there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes that work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing problems. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects. Find out more about us.

Utrecht University is a friendly and ambitious university at the heart of an ancient city. We love to welcome new scientists to our city – a thriving cultural hub that is consistently rated as one of the world’s happiest cities. We are renowned for our innovative interdisciplinary research and our emphasis on inspirational research and excellent education. We are equally well-known for our informal atmosphere and the can-do mentality of our people. This lively and inspiring academic environment attracts professors, researchers and PhD candidates from all over the globe, making both the University and the Faculty of Science a vibrant international and wonderfully diverse community.