The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) of Leiden University is a center of excellence for strategic and quantitative research and education on sustainable use and governance of natural resources and biodiversity. CML hosts a Minor in Sustainable Development and Master programmes in Industrial Ecology (with TU Delft) and Governance of Sustainability (with the Leiden Institute for Public Administration). Staff members of CML teaching these programmes provide students with the natural science perspective on wicked sustainability challenges, while keeping a close eye on and integrating societal perspectives. In view of the expanding student numbers in our educational programmes, continuous renewal and innovation of education, and staff moving to new positions, CML has vacancies for three assistant professors. In line with the vision of Leiden University of a strong link between research and teaching, we strive to a balance between these activities although at the start of the appointment more emphasis will be on teaching. Besides this position, CML is also looking for an Assistant professor in Environmental Biology.

Industrial ecology studies the society’s metabolism to design sustainable solutions. Within this position, quantitative analysis of industry ecology principles is coupled to governance solutions. Tools like Life cycle assessment (LCA), Material flow analysis (MFA) and environmental input output analysis (IOA) play a key role in the field, while data sciences become more and more important. For one of the positions an IOA background is preferred.

Key responsibilities  

• Develop courses and teach within CML’s educational programs the knowledge and skills related to resources management in societal systems and/or their governance. This implies teaching concepts related to e.g. material flows through society and the link to sustainability issues, circular economy and tools to quantify these and link these concepts to the governance of resources;
• Supervise (BSc and) MSc students in their thesis work and contribute to the supervision of PhD students;
• Establish an own research line within the topics mentioned above – complementary but connected to ongoing research lines within the department of Industrial Ecology of CML, leading to successful acquisition of research grants and publications in leading scientific journals.

• Strong communication and teaching skills;
• Interest in teaching within a transdisciplinary context;  
• (willingness to attain within two years) A University Teaching Qualification (UTQ; BKO in Dutch);
• A doctorate in industrial ecology, sustainability sciences, environmental sciences, (environmental) economics or a related field;
• Proficiency in English (written and oral);
• Proven quantitative skills in data analysis and modelling;
• Ideally having a good background in (at least one of the) industrial ecology tools LCA, MFA or IOA, and/or interest in data science for the use in the field of Industrial Ecology;
• Interest in the decision-making context of the abovementioned topics;
• Good acquisition capabilities or a clear potential to develop them;
• Strong publication record corresponding to the period after obtaining a PhD degree.

We offer a full-time fixed-term position up to six years (depending on qualifications), with a possibility of a tenured position depending on funding and performance. Salary ranges from € 3.746,- to € 5.825,- gross per month (pay scale 11-12 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Leiden University

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 1,300 staff and almost 4,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. 

The Institute of Environmental Sciences Leiden (CML) is part of the Faculty of Science at Leiden University. It unites two departments focusing on Environmental Biology (EB) and Industrial Ecology (IE). Jointly, they contribute to sustainable management of biodiversity and resources. The research subjects comprise ecotoxicology, conservation and restoration ecology, ecosystem services, life cycle assessments, supply chains analysis and global resources. The Institute fosters an international atmosphere with strong interactions among the groups as well as with other departments. Working at CML means being part of an exciting, dynamic scientific environment which sets high standards for its students and staff alike. Presently, over 120 FTE (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at CML. CML collaborates with the TU Delft and Erasmus University (Rotterdam) in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability (LDE-CfS) focusing on a circular economy.