We are seeking an outstanding individual to join our faculty as an Assistant Professor of Planetary Health to help develop our new activities in the areas of system earth science at the Greenport Campus Venlo in the Southern Netherlands. These new activities will focus on earth and plant-biological research (from fundamental to applied) in relation to human health, the environment and relevant stakeholders. Currently, at the campus a strong knowledgebase is being developed to facilitate education, research and innovation in an interdisciplinary setting. All activities have a strong systems approach. As one of the most international universities in Europe, Maastricht University is consistently ranked in the top ten of universities younger than 50 years worldwide.

As an Assistant Professor of Planetary Health you will be responsible for teaching and conducting research in the field of planetary health. You will be expected to have a strong academic background, excellent teaching skills, and a record of research publications. You will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Planetary Health, including topics such as biodiversity, climate change, and system dynamics modeling, and develop course materials, including syllabi, lectures, assignments, and assessments. Next to your teaching duties, you will engage in scholarly research in planetary health, including publishing research papers in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at conferences, and obtaining research grants. You will participate in academic and professional service activities, such as serving on committees, mentoring students, and engaging with the community.   

For this position, we are looking for a candidate with a doctoral degree in environmental sciences, health science or a related discipline, with a strong interdisciplinary focus. You should have a record of research publications in planetary health, environmental health, or related fields. Experience in teaching curricula related to planetary health (or related fields) is a must. Experience with successful grant acquisition is seen as a necessary asset. You have an excellent command of written and spoken English.

The chair Planetary Health will contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching. Within this context, you will teach using the Problem-Based Learning approach that Maastricht University uses as a basis for all education. Next to this, you are motivated to supervise students in Research-Based Learning during projects periods and final thesis works. Your track record should show your experience in educational delivery and student supervision.

• We offer a rewarding career at a young university in the heart of Europe, with a distinct global perspective and a strong focus on innovative research and education;
• The salary will be set in salary scale 11 or 12 of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (from € 3.974,- to € 6.181,- gross per month depending on experience and qualifications, based on a full-time appointment). On top of this, there is an 8% holiday allowance and a 8.3% year-end allowance;
• We offer an attractive package of fringe benefits such as reduction on collective health insurance, substantial leave arrangements, optional model for designing a personalised benefits package and application for attractive fiscal arrangements for employees from abroad.
• The nature of the initial appointment depends on qualifications and track record and may either be permanent or temporary with the intention of permanent appointment upon a mutually positive assessment.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterised by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 22,000 students and about 5,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl