We are looking for two assistant professors to strengthen our research related to the complete data pipeline, ranging from data generation by humans or machines, via data curation following the FAIR principles to data modelling and analytics. Algorithmic challenges include inductive and deductive reasoning and data analytics techniques,with a focus on graph data and graph representations in various challenging application domains, where representing different types of knowledge and data from heterogeneous sources plays an important role. Applications in high-risk domains require models and technologies to improve the data quality, and to increase both the transparency of data manipulation pipelines and the analysis technologies themselves. To achieve this, we are particularly interested in robustness and explainability, both for symbolic as well as neuro-symbolic approaches.

Depending on your profile, you will be embedded in one of our research groups User-centric Data Science (UCDS), Knowledge in AI (KAI), Quantitative Data Analytics (QDA), Learning and Reasoning (L&R) or Knowledge Acquisition, Reasoning, and Management (KARMA). Are you an expert in a field related to Data Modelling and Analytics, and want to join our teams at the VU as an Assistant Professor?

The successful applicants will receive a career track appointment (1.5 years) with a view to a permanent position after a positive evaluation. Do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss whether your qualifications are satisfactory for applying to the position. We encourage any person to apply for this position that can contribute to the diversity of our group, and the department of computer science in general.

Your duties

The tenure track/career track positions start at the level of assistant professor in the areas of research, education, and management (40%:40%:20%), and contains the following duties:

• Setting up and leading a research line in the area of graph data modeling and analytics;
• Performing research in this field and be or become visible in the international data community;
• Teaching courses in the Bachelor and Master Artificial Intelligence and other relevant programs;
• Supervision of Bachelor, Master, and PhD students;
• Initiating and contributing to research grant proposals;
• Contributing to administrative tasks.

We will base our selection on the following components:

• A PhD degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related area;
• An international research profile, demonstrated by publications in relevant journals and conferences;
• Academic teaching experience including experience in the supervision of BSc and MSc theses;
• Experience in the supervision of PhD students;
• Experience with attracting research funding.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months.

Challenging positions in a socially involved organization. On 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 at least 0.8 FTE.

We offer tenure track/career track positions at the level of Assistant Professor. A career plan to grow from Assistant Professor lv. 2 (profile Universitair Docent 2, salary scale 11) to Assistant Professor lv. 1 (profile Universitair Docent 1, salary scale 12) will be made and formalized in a tailored Tenure Track/Career Track agreement (with specific performance indicators).

The initial appointment will be for a period of 18 months, including two months' probation. 15 Months after the starting date, performance will be evaluated. After a successful evaluation permanent employment will be granted.

The starting package will include:

• One PhD student per new permanent staff member.
  
  

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment;
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• solid pension scheme (ABP);
• contribution to commuting expenses;
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package;
• good paid parental leave arrangement;
• the possibility to work partly from home (hybrid working);
• on campus child daycare, sport facilities, family support programs including: dual career workshops, Dutch language class, tax & insurance workshop (some might have additional costs);
• certain tax benefits (30% ruling) might apply to international candidates;
• help and assistance with relocation (international candidates).

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.

About the department
The VUA Department of Computer Science has approximately 170 members, including 35 tenured staff members and 90 PhD students. The tenured staff members form the essential basis for the functioning of the department. A tenured staff member is required to make significant contributions to the research and education programmes, and to spend effort on specific tasks at the department level.