Algorithms are pervading society at a rapid pace. They are used in a variety of contexts, ranging from the replacement of certain tasks humans prefer to offload or cannot handle at large scale, to systems that support or advise humans. With the advent of these systems, their downsides also become more and more prominent. Systems that do not treat certain groups fairly and include biases, for example, have a huge impact on society. We are looking for an associate professor that focuses on algorithmic solutions for these problems. Examples of such adaptive, responsible and explainable AI may include learning bias-free models from biased data, evaluation approaches to estimate algorithmic fairness, formal norms and constraints on algorithms to guarantee fair treatment, culturally inclusive- and socially-aware AI, or explainable AI methods, as well as other relevant algorithmic approaches and solutions.

We are looking for a colleague who is a leader in the field, and can contribute to a stream of high quality publications in this area, acquire external research grants, conduct excellent teaching, and act as a bridge builder to other research groups in the Department. The position involves setting up and leading a research group in this area.

Your duties The tenure track/career track position starts at the level of associate professor in the areas of research, education, and management (40%:40%:20%), and contains the following duties:

• Setting up and leading a group in the area of human-aware AI;
• Performing research in the field of human-aware AI;
• 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, 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.

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €5,506 (scale 13) and a maximum €6,702 (scale 13), 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 a tenure track/career track position at the level of Associate Professor. A career plan to grow from Associate Professor lv 2 (profile Universitair Hoofddocent 2, salary scale 13) to Associate Professor lv 1 (profile Universitair Hoofddocent 1, salary scale 14) will be made and formalised in a tailored Tenure Track/Career Track agreement (with specific performance indicators).

The initial appointment will be for a period of 1.5 years, (including 2 months probation) which will be turned into a tenured position after the initial period when the performance indicators agreed at the start of the appointment are met.

The starting package will include:

• Two PhD students in the Innovation PhD scheme (i.e., all our PhD-students are co-supervised with another member of the Department or equivalent)
• Depending on seniority of the candidate, one career-track assistant professor position to be hired as part of the novel group.
• Two Innovation PhD students per new permanent staff member.
• The Department will apply for an AiNed Fellowship Grant for this position. This grant aims to attract internationally much sought after AI talent to Dutch academic research organizations by supporting universities in offering an attractive starting package. When granted, this will lead to three additional PhD student and/or PostDoc positions.

The further career growth trajectory may include the possibility to negotiate the assignment of an additional career-track assistant professor.

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.