At the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) within the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam, we are on the lookout for a passionate and driven scientist to enhance our research and educational initiatives. In the role of Assistant Professor in the research group Cellular and Computational Neuroscience, you will have the chance to establish your own research agenda and contribute to teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

The mission of the Neuroscience groups at the SILS is to understand the mechanisms that underlie learning, memory, perception and cognition, which are studied at the molecular, cellular, network and behavioral level. We explore how dysfunction of these mechanisms can lead to pathological conditions of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Within the neuroscience cluster, expertise ranges from molecular signaling, synaptic plasticity, stress responses, neuronal circuit dynamics, ensemble functioning, up to cognition. A wide range of technologies are used and developed, including biochemistry and molecular biology techniques, slice and in vivo electrophysiology, opto/chemogenetics, live-imaging microscopy, computational modeling, and rodent behavioral analysis.

What are you going to do?
As a member of the research group Cellular and Computational Neuroscience, you are expected to develop your own line of fundamental research, with interest and experience in the study of neuronal and synaptic ensembles that underlie learning, memory and perception. We are looking for an expert in live-imaging microscopy, and manipulations using opto/chemogenetic modulation. This expertise would contribute greatly to our understanding of cognition and would perfectly complement and allow synergy between neuroscience teams and molecular imaging and microscopy teams at the SILS.

As an Assistant Professor you are expected to:

• develop your own line of research at the level of synapse/circuit/systems neuroscience;
• publish in high-level international journals, present at leading conferences and supervise PhD students;
• promote collaborations between groups on projects and share expertise;
• develop your skills in coaching and inclusive leadership;
• be active in attracting external funding;
• take part in the teaching neuroscience courses to bachelor and master students, and in supervising

student projects.

You have/are:

• a PhD and some years of post-doctoral experience in neuroscience;
• experimental experience in live-cell imaging/advanced microscopy;
• a good understanding of synaptic plasticity, neuronal circuit and cell population dynamics;
• able to communicate with other biologists and bioinformatics and data-analysis experts;
• willing to contribute to valorization and outreach activities of the research group;
• experience with acquisition of funding;
• fluent in spoken and written English;
• qualified with regard to Art. 9 of the Experiments on Animals Act

If you are not fluent in Dutch we expect you to acquire sufficient fluency in the Dutch language within three years of the start of the employment contract, to be able to teach in the Dutch bachelor courses. Candidates have a clear affinity with teaching demonstrated by a University Teaching Qualification (BKO) or the willingness to enroll in a program to achieve that.

A temporary contract for 38 hours a week, preferably starting on 1-5-2024, for the duration of 18 months. A permanent contract follows after positive assessment of your performance. The job profile Assistant Professor 2 is applicable.

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €4.332 to €5.929 (scale 11) gross per month, based on a fulltime contract (38 hours a week). This is exclusive 8 % holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is an institute of the Faculty of Science. Its staff members work in 17 research groups that perform excellent research, centered on four themes: 1) Cell & Systems Biology, 2) Neurosciences, 3) Microbiology and 4) Green Life Sciences.

Application
Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 31 December 2023.

You can apply online by using the link below.

Applications in .pdf should include:

• a motivation letter and CV, including a list of publications and your funding and teaching track record (if applicable);
• contact information for at least two academic referees;
• a 1-page research statement.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: National knowledge security guidelines)