The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Environmental Sciences at the Assistant Professor level. We are searching for a highly motivated scholar in the fields of environmental sciences, sustainable development and global change who fits with our interdisciplinary research group.

The Assistant Professor will contribute to the development of the portfolio of soil and water within the framework of sustainable management and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems. It is our mission to understand interactions between global change and ecosystem processes, for sustainability of ecosystem services to humans. Soil and hydrological processes in terrestrial ecosystems depend on environmental conditions, biogeochemical and human interventions. The Assistant professor will strengthen this research line by focusing on the interface between environmental hydrology, soil science and sustainability.

We encourage applications from candidates

• with a PhD that that have a proven affinity with environmental research (eco-hydrology, hydrochemistry and soil science) and a combination preferable of experimental and modelling work;
• who have experience with and interest in academic teaching;
• who have interest in and experience with multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research approaches;
• who have a strong record of international peer-reviewed publications;
• who have successfully acquired and carried out externally funded projects;
• who are well connected to relevant academic partners as well as to stakeholders in society;
• who have excellent communication skills and interpersonal relationships.

The candidate is expected to develop an internationally renowned research line. The candidate will teach in the newly developed BSc program Global Sustainability Science and the MSc programs Sustainable Development and Water Science & Management. All teaching will be in the English language. In addition, successful candidates will be expected to supervise BSc and MSc projects, as well as to contribute to the acquisition and execution of externally funded projects. Coaching and supervising PhD students is also one of your responsibilities. You will be stimulated and coached in applying for a personal research grant. This position requires a PhD and preferably post-doc positions at the time of appointment.

 

The position will be affiliated with the Environmental Sciences group, one of the four research groups of the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. The Environmental Sciences group is a dynamic, ambitious and internationally leading team of researchers with a focus on fundamental and policy-oriented research of environmental processes, from local to global scales. The Copernicus Institute has been evaluated in a 2014 international review as the highest ranked research institute in sustainability sciences in the Netherlands. Since then, the institute has intensified its efforts in maintaining its leading position, among others by opening up positions at our Institute for international scholars and by developing new, internationally oriented teaching programmes.

We offer a full-time tenure track position that starts with an initial period of two years, with an intended extension of either another two years or a conversion to a permanent position, subject to performance. Further career development to Associate Professor level is possible. Employment conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities. The gross monthly salary is dependent on qualifications and experience and will start between € 3,475 and €  4,757 per month (scale 11). The salary is supplemented by a holiday allowance of 8% per year and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. We also offer a pension scheme and flexible employment conditions. Here you'll find more information about working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

Utrecht University’s faculty of Geosciences offers education and research concerning the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and anthroposphere. With 2200 students (BSc and MSc) and 500 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty is organised in four departments:

1. Earth Sciences
2. Physical Geography
3. Innovation, Environmental & Energy Sciences and
4. Human Geography & Urban & Regional Planning.

The Environmental Sciences Research Group is part of the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. The institute is responsible for research on relations between humans and the environment, environmental policy and its influence on sustainable development and the management of innovation.

Utrecht University has been ranked in the 2017 Academic Ranking of World Universities as the best university in the Netherlands, and as one of the leading research universities in Europe. The University is committed to a strategic orientation on four overarching themes, which include 'Sustainability'. The Assistant Professor who is now being hired will thus be able to develop his/her career at this main strategic theme of the university, opening up numerous opportunities for university-wide interaction and support. The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old centre and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht city has been consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.