Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences

Utrecht University is looking for a passionate and experienced administrator. A leading researcher with an open perspective, who looks for connections and offers inspiring leadership to the faculty community. Someone with the ambition to further facilitate and strengthen the excellent education and research at the Faculty of Geosciences.

Your job
The dean works together with the Executive Board and fellow administrators to realise Utrecht University’s strategy. Some examples of important, university-wide issues are Open Science, collaboration with partners like those within the EWUU alliance, expanding the university’s strategic themes, and enhancing interdisciplinary education and research.

The dean is responsible for all aspects of the Faculty of Geosciences' research, education, and operations. They focus on collaboration, identify potential connections, and foster a culture of recognition and appreciation based on teamwork, trust, and individual responsibility. With calm confidence, the dean works on the strategies of Utrecht University and the faculty, focusing on the broader national and international geosciences field, a wide range of knowledge institutions, and social and commercial partners, as well as the internal community of both Utrecht University and the faculty.

The faculty has a relevant and visible global position in education and research in the field of the Earth system and the transition to a sustainable, just and inclusive world. The faculty’s education and research are excellent, and leading in the field. The staff are committed and enthusiastic, and backed by a professional support organisation. The faculty has seen strong growth over the past few years, and is financially sound.

But the faculty does face certain challenges, against the backdrop of turbulent times for universities in the Netherlands and the world. An important task for the Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences is to continue promoting the collaboration between the various disciplines within the faculty, which range from natural sciences to social sciences. In that task, it is vital for the dean to recognise and reinforce each department’s strengths, while connecting them with this unique faculty’s shared mission.

The faculty has a wonderful opportunity to achieve even more social impact through its sustainability research and education, and to contribute to a healthy planet and a better world for everyone. This will require a transdisciplinary approach, and strengthening the ties with society and other collaborative partners, both within and outside the university. But it also requires balancing impact and transdisciplinarity with the faculty’s foundation of strong discipline-specific research and education.

One area of concern will be to maintain and strengthen a curriculum that is both distinctive and attractive for students, while the landscape of sustainability studies, for example, continues to expand. This will require a vision and direction for the Faculty of Geosciences.

With an eye for connecting with the workplace and balancing fundamental disciplinary research and education with impact-driven approaches, the dean plays a key role in guiding the Faculty of Geosciences through these challenges, sustaining its current success, and strengthening its meaningful contribution to a more sustainable future.

See the brochure for more information about the position and the organisation.

The new dean is thoroughly familiar with developments in the Dutch higher education system and has a wealth of international experience in geosciences. At Utrecht University, this field encompasses Earth sciences, physical and human geography, spatial planning, environmental sciences, and transition and innovation sciences. The dean is a standard-bearer for the inter- and transdisciplinarity of the field, is familiar with both the scientific and societal contexts of geosciences, and strives to further enhance the national and international impact of the Faculty of Geosciences’ education and research.

The dean fosters connection within and between the four departments, with an eye for their unique characteristics and shared values. As a team player, the dean actively involves the faculty’s support services, participation bodies, and fellow administrators, leveraging and strengthening their qualities. The dean ensures a pleasant and safe working and learning environment where equality, diversity, and inclusion are self-evident values. Additionally, the dean acknowledges the importance of, and has affinity with, support and operations management for primary processes.

The dean has an open perspective and an inclusive, inspiring leadership style, as well as experience with an international work environment. The dean possesses proven administrative capacities, and has experience with leading complex (change and other) processes. The dean is an integrity-driven leader, who thinks and acts strategically and holistically, provides direction, and is both decisive and effective.

We are looking for a dean who can translate an outspoken vision into concrete objectives and innovations. Someone who makes personal connections, and who knows that providing direction and creating support are both vital to success. A collegial administrator who is transparent and communicates clearly about decisions, who can listen and inspire, and who seeks out dialogue with staff and students, proficient in both Dutch and English. A colleague with a sense of humour, who is accessible and can put things into perspective.

• A permanent employment contract for 1.0 FTE, and an appointment as a Dean for a four-year term;
• a salary in accordance with the position of dean as stipulated in the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Utrecht University is a broad, high-quality international research university. Creating a better future for everyone is the ambition that motivates our scientists and scholars in their cutting-edge research and inspiring teaching.

The Faculty of Geosciences focuses on groundbreaking research and education for a sustainable and just world. We study the Earth, from its core to its surface, including how we use its space and resources. Our constant focus is on impact, innovation and sustainability. We explore ecological, economic, and social sustainability and their applications in policy, politics, and society. We find solutions and answers by bringing together different fields of expertise. And in the process, we strive for a sustainable future for all. Our unique combination of natural and social sciences within a single faculty positions us as a global trailblazer in education and research on the Earth system and the transition towards a sustainable future.

Our education and research is organised into four departments: Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, Human Geography and Spatial Planning, and Sustainable Development. With 3,700 students (BSc and MSc) and 900 staff, including many internationals, the education we offer and the research we conduct are world-class research. Our advanced research facilities and laboratories, which are unique in the Netherlands and Europe, support that mission.

We prepare our students to contribute to solutions for the challenges of the 21st century, shaping them into the leaders and thinkers of tomorrow. Collaboration from different disciplines and with social partners is a key pillar of our activities. We are also highly involved in all four of Utrecht University’s strategic themes: Pathways to Sustainability (for which we serve as coordinator), Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Dynamics of Youth.

See the brochure for more information about the position and the organisation.

For more information about the application process, please contact Hester Heyning (MD consultant) at h.c.heyning@uu.nl or (06) 28 54 19 94. For questions about the position, please contact Professor Marc Bierkens (interim Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences), via Leonie van Bladel-Heijboer at bestuurssecretariaat.geo@uu.nl.

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities.

Are you interested in this position? Then please click on the ‘apply now’ button to submit your application to Prof. A. Pijpers, President of the Executive Board. An assessment may form part of the procedure.

This vacancy may not be used as an acquisition opportunity.

The first round of interviews will take place on 9 April 2025, and the second round on 14 April 2025.