Do you have the ambition to develop world class research in Theoretical Computer Science at the Informatics Institute, and together with the other new chair Theoretical Computer Science at the Institute for Logic, Language, and Computation form a strong and visible nucleus Theoretical Computer Science in our University? Are you willing to collaborate with other research groups, also within other faculties of the University, to seek relations with public or private partners, to be visible in the broader academic community, to teach theoretical computer Science in our bachelor/master programs and to take responsibility for all theory of computer science aspects of our educational programs?

We offer a position of full professor in Theoretical Computer Science in the Informatics Institute of the University of Amsterdam. This new chair is embedded in the Informatics Institute of the University of Amsterdam and will lead the Theory of Computer Science group. The chair holder should develop a unique profile within the Informatics Institute while interacting with one of more research groups within the Institute. The Institute for Logic, Language, and Computation of the University of Amsterdam will also establish a new chair in Theoretical Computer science, and both chair holders should build links and create a visible nucleus of Theoretical Computer science in Amsterdam, also together with VU and CWI.

The Informatics Institute of the University of Amsterdam has a long-standing tradition in Theoretical Computer Science, with special attention to Algebraic Specification and Process Algebras. With the retirement of the chair holder, and the unprecedented growth of the Informatics Institute and the larger Computer Science ecosystem in Amsterdam, new opportunities for research in Theoretical Computer Science emerge. The research profile of this new chair is designed to reflect Theoretical Computer Science in a broad sense, with three possible (preferred) attention areas, that should result in strong synergies and added value to research within the Informatics Institute, but also with the Institute for Logic, Language, and Computation or the broader Amsterdam context (Free University Amsterdam, Center for Mathematics and Informatics). A strong research profile in Theoretical Computer Science beyond the preferred attention areas is not excluded.

The Informatics Institute of the University of Amsterdam has world class research in machine learning, information retrieval, computer vision, computational science, data engineering, data exchange and cyber infrastructures, and is further enlarging its research portfolio. The research of this chair will significantly contribute to Theoretical Computer Science, while at the same time building bridges to and creating synergy and added value with research within our Institute or the broader Amsterdam context.

The proposed chair in Theoretical Computer Science is preferably positioned in one of the following three domains:

1. Algorithms and/or Automata

Algorithms research, possibly linked with formal methods, in particular automata theory or logic or visa-versa, a focus on formal methods linked to algorithms

1. Quantum Algorithms

Quantum Algorithms (e.g. Quantum Machine Learning or Quantum Simulations) with applications in areas ranging from e.g. the sciences to finance

1. Foundations of AI

Theory of machine learning, learning networks, or other foundational research in the broad domain of AI, preferably starting from a strong mathematical/statistical background

Other domains are also possible, but then synergy with research themes within the Informatics Institute should be emphasized.

What are you going to do?

You are expected to:

• demonstrate leadership in research: setting up a successful world class research line in Theoretical Computer Science;
• demonstrate leadership in education: designing, delivering and managing academic education in theoretical computer science;
• develop collaborations with other Informatics Institute professors in the implementation of strategic decisions at the Faculty of Science;
• seek funding for PhDs and postdocs by writing research proposals to the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research and EU;
• seek funding by engaging with other public of private partners;
• supervise PhD students and bachelor and master projects;
• write high impact scientific publications, be a member of program committees etc.;
• organize events and conferences;
• engage with the media;
• transfer of research results to industry and society through startups, industry engagement, etc.;
• help build a strong and visible Theory of Computer Science activity in Amsterdam.

The chair will provide lectures and presentations in accordance with the education programs under the supervision of the director of the College of Informatics and the director of the Graduate School of Informatics. The chair will take responsibility for education of Theoretical Computer Science in all our programs. Teaching will include:

• contributions to programs such as the Bachelor and Master Computer Science, Information Studies, or AI;
• supervise BSc and MSc students during their research projects;
• develop or redesign courses in Theoretical Computer Science.

What do we require?

• A PhD in Computer Science or a closely related field;
• proven ability to engage in cutting-edge research in Theoretical Computer Science;
• the capability to initiate and organize new research by identifying innovative research themes;
• enthusiasm about and the willingness to be active in the attraction of external funding with a strong track record;
• the ability and capacity to develop independent and vigorous programmes of funded research;
• proven teaching skills (preferably with a certificate of academic teaching quality), excellent didactic qualities and affinity with the content of the Bachelors and Master programs where we teach theoretical computer science and a demonstrated dedication to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
• commitment to stimulating and supervising PhD research;
• demonstrated to be creative and inspiring with excellent managerial qualities and leadership capabilities and the willingness and ability to perform administrative, organizational and managerial tasks;
• the willingness to contribute to valorisation efforts and to foster collaborations with other academic institutes and industry;
• contacts necessary to initiate national and international public-public and public-private partnerships, and being part of an international network;
• fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Our offer

We offer a challenging job at a dynamic and ambitious university for 38 hours a week, preferably starting on 1 January 2021. Included we offer a starting package and an attractive package of fringe benefits, for instance: generous leave arrangements, application for attractive fiscal arrangements are possible for employees from abroad, attractive retirement benefits, collective health insurance and excellent parental leave packages.

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €5,749 to €8,371 (scale H2) gross per month, based on a full-time contract (38 hours a week), 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.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Science – Informatics Institute

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 mission of the Informatics Institute is to perform curiosity-driven and use-inspired fundamental research in Computer Science. The main research themes are Artificial Intelligence, Computational Science and Systems and Network Engineering. Our research involves complex information systems at large, with a focus on collaborative, data driven, computational and intelligent systems, all with a strong interactive component.