As an assistant professor in Mechanical Engineering, you are actively involved in the bachelor program Mechanical Engineering (ME) in Amsterdam. This program is a joint effort of VU and the University of Twente (UT) and exists since 2019. We offer an educational program in engineering, responding to a need in the Amsterdam metropolitan region for high-quality engineering education. The ME bachelor program is based on the "Twente Educational Model" in which (design) projects form the program's backbone. During a semester students work collaboratively on this project, while the other courses support the projects. During the project, students cooperate with their peers to solve problems like professional engineers do in the workplace.

The Faculty of Science of VU contains several groups focusing on experimental research, but we do not currently host mechanical engineering research. To bridge this gap, we are looking for four assistant professors. Do you have a strong background or interest in engineering and related topics, such as applied physics or material sciences? Would you like to connect your expertise with technology valorization and entrepreneurship, and contribute to educating the entrepreneurial engineer of the future? Then this may be an interesting offer for you.

Your main goal is to pioneer and champion ME-related research and teaching within the Faculty of Science of VU. You link engineering research with the ongoing research activities in the departments of Physics and Astronomy and/or Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences. You lead the design, supervision, and implementation of (research) projects within the ME BSc program. Based on your engineering background, you contribute with your teaching and your research to themes central to the VU-UT cooperation, such as the energy transition, sustainability and innovative energy and health technologies. Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial education for engineers is the missing link in upscaling these technologies. We aim to enhance our educational programs to educate the entrepreneurial engineer of the future.

As part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborative environment, we offer access to state-of-the-art laboratories and technical service centers that include high-throughput screening, X-ray protein & small molecule crystallography, SPR, ITC, NMR and MS facilities, state-of-the-art laser, microscopy, and spectroscopy equipment. Furthermore, we are strongly involved in research at ARCNL, LaserLab and the Einstein Telescope project.
Your research furthermore links to and finds embedment in the joint endeavor the departments of Physics and Astronomy and/or Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences to spur education and research on science and tech entrepreneurship, sustainable technological innovation, and innovative entrepreneurship education. We offer access to vibrant entrepreneurial networks at the VU and the UT, which will provide you with opportunities to broaden your own professional network.

Your duties
At VU, we give you time to grow as academic researcher. Ultimately, your work involves research, education, and management tasks (40%, 40%, 20%). Your main responsibilities

• developing an own creative research line on the cutting edge of physics and engineering or (pharmaco)chemistry and engineering
• and/or developing a research line that connects (mechanical) engineering education and value creation based on technological valorization, innovation, and entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and attitudes.
• pursuing a strong output by publishing in journals as leading author (and/or playing a key role in a bigger team)
• acquisition of external funding for research (individually or part of consortia)
• (co-)supervision of PhD students, junior researchers/lecturers, and postdoctoral researchers
• teaching in the Joint UT-VU program Mechanical Engineering and supervising junior teaching colleagues. This includes the design and supervision of BSc research projects

• you have completed a PhD in the field of (Mechanical) Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or a related field with a focus on entrepreneurship, sustainable technological innovation and education.
• you have postdoctoral research experience in a relevant field, preferably outside of the institute where you earned your PhD
• you are willing to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team with other researchers of the Faculty of Science, but also with the University of Twente.
• you can initiate and build up an independent line of research. You have e.g. experience with acquisition of external funding, PhD/master student supervision, and/or publications as corresponding author
• you have a basic university teaching qualification (UTQ/BKO) or equivalent, or you are willing to acquire one. Prior experience in teaching (development and coordination of courses) in a relevant field is an asset
• you have a good command of the Dutch language. If not, you are willing to learn it during the first three years of your appointment (level B1 is expected).

Fixed-term contract: 18 months.

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. Access to VU and UT research facilities. On a full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of € 3,974 (scale 11) and a maximum € 5,439 (scale 11), depending on your education and experience. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 0.8-1 FTE. This is a tenure track position; the initial appointment will be for a period of five years. Based on performance indicators agreed on at the start of the appointment, a tenure track position will lead to a tenured position in 18 months and to a position of assistant professor 1 (scale 12) in a period of normally 5 years. In the fifth year of the appointment, the promotion decision will be taken. Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• Active support in setting up a research group
• Ample opportunity and support to grow as a scientist, leader and entrepreneur
• A maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• An 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• Solid pension scheme (ABP)
• Possibility to save holiday hours, for sabbatical leave
• Child daycare facilities available on campus

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor - from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 30,000 students. We employ over 5,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to more than 11,000 students.