The transport research team in the Urban Futures program conducts leading research into travel behaviour and transport innovations. Key topics include the adoption and use of mobility innovations (shared mobility schemes, electric mobility), sustainable and active transportation, inclusion and fairness aspects of mobility transitions, the relationship between travel and well-being and the relationship between land use and transportation. Research takes place in the context of the broader Urban Futures program, which includes collaborations with colleagues in domains such as health, urban planning and international development studies. 

To strengthen our collaborative, social and dedicated team, we are looking for an assistant professor with specific expertise in quantitative methods applied to transportation research. This involves advanced travel demand modeling techniques as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI) related techniques, such as machine learning and agent based modelling. Your research takes place in one of the above areas, with an emphasis on travel behaviour or individual travel outcomes. You will participate in relevant UU-level networks, such as the AI Mobility Lab. Besides research activities, you will be teaching in dedicated transport geography courses, but also methodological courses in our various BA and MA programs, and the university broad master Applied Data Science. You will play an active role in PhD supervision and you will receive guidance for both your research and teaching tasks, which will help you in developing your academic career.

We believe in a balance between individual and collective achievements. That’s why we assess both on individual and on team performances. We stimulate academic leadership and motivate good academic leadership at all levels. And last but not least we encourage to share the results of scientific research with society so that we collectively get more done and the social contribution of the university also grows.

We are looking for an assistant professor who has the following qualifications:

• You have a PhD in transport geography, transport engineering, transport planning or another relevant area.
• You can (co) develop and carry out innovative research, as evidenced by peer reviewed publications, and (preferably) research grand.
• You have an international network in the transportation research field.
• You are considerate to the fact that successful and impactful research is a team effort.
• You have experience and skills in academic teaching, preferably in the area of transport geography or mobility transitions, and data sciences/quantitative methods, from the undergraduate to PhD levels.
• You have a University Teaching Qualification, or are able to acquire one on short notice.
• You are proficient in both English and Dutch, or are willing to learn Dutch in the next years.

We believe that understanding and speaking Dutch makes it easier to connect with colleagues. Therefore we offer free language courses.

We offer a temporary position (1.0 FTE) for one year in an international working environment. After positive evaluation, this can be turned into a permanent position. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €3,974 and €5,439 (scale 11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year.

In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions. We support you to grow and support work-life balance that’s why we offer agreements on professional development,  an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). Facilities for sports and childcare are available on the main campus, which is located only 15 minutes away from the historical city centre of Utrecht. The University’s International Service Desk will provide support to new international faculty members with an onboarding process, as well as provide career services for their spouse. For more information, please visit 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 studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning has its focus on the enhancement of long-term economic developments of cities, how to cope with social inequalities, and how to accelerate sustainability transitions of cities and infrastructures. Research on these topics takes place within our research programme “Urban Futures: Transitions Towards Economic and Social Sustainability for Cities”.

Our research programme is the basis for our two year Research Master's Human Geography, the two-year Geographical Information Management and Applications Programme, and the one-year master programmes in Spatial Planning, Human Geography and International Development Studies. The Department also runs a large and highly appreciated Bachelor's programme and is part of the Netherlands Graduate School of Urban and Regional Research for PhD candidates. Unique characteristic of the department are the attention for innovations within teaching methods and its strong involvement in the transdisciplinary sustainability research theme.