Are you a talented and motivated early career scientist with the ambition to apply your expertise to neuroscience and brain disorders? At VU, you will have the opportunity to develop an independent and innovative research program using (human) cell models. Our greater goal is to explore new directions using innovative and state-of-the-art approaches in neuroscience research that contribute to our understanding of brain disease. You will work at the department of Functional Genomics, at the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (www.cncr.nl) of Vrije Universiteit and Amsterdam UMC. Your own research program at VU complements, connects to and synergizes with existing research in the department and center. We have significant infrastructure and operating funds available.

Your duties

• develop an innovative, independent research program, resulting in impactful scientific publications in influential peer-reviewed journals
• support your research program with external funding
• supervise graduate students
• contribute to undergraduate teaching at bachelor and master level
• contribute to the scientific quality and an inspiring, collaborative atmosphere at the institute

We are seeking a candidate with the following qualities and requirements:

• a completed PhD in molecular/cellular neurobiology or related field
• at least three years of postdoctoral research experience, outside the institute where you obtained your PhD degree
• the potential to excel as team leader of an independent research group, demonstrated by a strong publication record and ability to acquire external research funding
• a strong passion for neuroscience and brain disease
• a collaborative attitude
• a proven ability for academic supervision and training of students.
• you have a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ/BKO), or are willing to obtain one
• English language proficiency at CEFR C1/C2 level

An opportunity to establish your own research group in a stimulating and supportive environment where scientific excellence and team science go hand-in-hand. On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €3,974 (scale 11) and a maximum of €5,439 (scale 11), depending on your education and experience. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 0.84-1 FTE (32-38 hours a week).

We are offering this position as a career track. The employment contract will initially be for a period of 18 months as a tenure track. After 15 months your performance will be evaluated in terms of quality of teaching, research and collaboration. After a successful evaluation, you will receive permanent employment and a path for your further academic development will be established through the career track agreement.

The department offers start-up funding to appoint a PhD-student or post-doc dedicated to work with you.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• the possibility to partially work hybrid

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 31,000 students. We employ over 5,000 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means working together with students, PhD candidates and scientists who are focused on their discipline, yet also have a broad view of the world. We are proud of the collegial working environment within the faculty, which is characterised by an ambitious and pragmatic attitude with commitment to the bigger picture. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex social issues for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from genetics to pharmaceuticals and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research cover the full breadth of the natural sciences. Scientific teaching and research is highly experimental, technical, computational and interdisciplinary in nature. This is why we collaborate extensively with leading research institutes and industry. The faculty has over 11,000 students studying across 40 educational programmes and employs over 1,600 staff spread over 10 scientific departments, making us the largest science faculty in the Netherlands.
The department of Functional Genomics
The department of Functional Genomics, at the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (www.cncr.nl), is part of Vrije Universiteit and Amsterdam UMC. The CNCR is one of the leading neuroscience institutes in Europe, with internationally recognized research programs in synapse biology, human neuroscience and complex trait genetics. In this interinstitutional center you will be surrounded by a broad spectrum of neuroscience experts. This greatly facilitates local collaborations and will give you access to a diversity of international scientific networks to benefit your research group. In addition, you have access to support of dedicated lab technicians and free access to all equipment within the center. Amsterdam is a family friendly city and Vrije Universiteit supports a healthy work-life balance.

Diversity at the Functional Genomics Department
Functional Genomics and CNCR are seeking to promote diversity among our team leaders.
Functional Genomics is a dynamic and collaborative department that currently comprises 6 male and 2 female team leaders. As it is our explicit ambition to be a diverse and inclusive institute, we particularly invite national and international female scientists to apply. In addition to neuroscientists and cell biologists, we welcome applications from scientists with a complementary scientific background (e.g., bioinformatics, chemistry, biophysics) that can contribute to our greater research goal and scientific community.