Data science and bioinformatics are rapidly transforming the Biological Sciences. We believe that making biology students data and computer literate and enabling them to thrive in biological research that touches on genomics, genetics and evolution is one of the most important goals of modern biology education. To strengthen our team and our educational mission, we are seeking a driven and enthusiastic colleague. Are you an ambitious and inspirational educator with a background in bioinformatics, demonstrated teaching experience, and a clear vision on academic education in an international classroom? Do you want to contribute to, and develop new bioinformatics courses, mentor and coach students at levels ranging from BSc to PhD? Besides education you will have the opportunity to be involved in research, either ongoing projects or personal interest for 20% of the time. You will be embedded within a diverse and collaborative community of Bioinformatics Teachers and Researchers across the Utrecht Science Campus.

To excel in this role, you will need a PhD degree and a keen interest in academic teaching with the ability to inspire the next generation of data-savvy biologists.

You will draw on

• your passion for teaching, mentoring, and coaching students;
• your clear vision on bioinformatics education;
• your solid background in bioinformatics, comparative genomics, or a related field;
• your collaborative and proactive spirit.

Python expertise is essential. We ask that you acquire a Basic Teaching Qualification if you do not already have one.

• embedding within a thriving community of Bioinformaticians and Biologists involved in research and teaching in the Department of Biology and at the Utrecht Science Park;
• a full-time tenure track position for 5 years which will be subject to a mid-term evaluation after approximately 2,5 years and an end-term evaluation. When evaluations are positive after 5 years, the position becomes permanent;
• a full-time gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranging between €3,637 and €5,656 (scale 11/12 at the level of Assistant Professor (universitair docent; UD) according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (cao)) per month;
• benefits including 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

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 yourself 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.

The Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics group (TBB) uses computational biology, bioinformatics, modelling, and big data to address both fundamental and applied questions in the Life Sciences. A selection of ongoing research lines includes the evolution of genomes, protein complexes, systems genetics, metagenomics, host-microbe interactions, and the principles of ecology and evolution. Our research interests guide our educational mission, which is to inspire and educate the next generation of biology students in Bioinformatics and data-driven Biology. Our courses range from ‘Systems Biology’ (year 1), ‘Bioinformatics for Comparative Genomics’ (year 3) in the BSc level to introductory python courses and topical Bioinformatics courses at the MSc level; both within the biology curriculum as well as in other BSc/MSc programmes. We recently developed a new MSc programme ‘Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity’ that will kick off in September 2020, combining all aspects of Computational Biology ranging from data analysis to theoretical modelling. This new program is part of the Graduate School Life Sciences that educates excellent Life Sciences students across two academic institutes at Utrecht University and University Medical Center Utrecht. Together with more than 35 research groups distributed over five research and educational institutes, we form the Utrecht Bioinformatics Center that combines world-class bioinformatics research and coordinates bioinformatics education at all levels at the Utrecht Science Park.

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 which 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. The Utrecht University Faculty of Science and the Department of Biology are located at the Utrecht Science Park just east of the city center. Bioinformatics is one of the Focus Areas of Utrecht University.

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 familiar 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.