We are seeking an outstanding individual to join our faculty as an Assistant Professor of Planetary Health to help develop our new activities in System Earth Science (SES) at the Greenport Campus Venlo in the Southern Netherlands. These new activities of SES 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, with a special focus on inter- and transdisciplinary research in the area of human-nature relationships. 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 trans- and interdisciplinary methodologies, 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 an interdisciplinary field, but the focus can be on either environmental sciences, health science or a related discipline. You should have a record of research publications in planetary health, or related fields. Experience in teaching curricula related to planetary health is a benefit. 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.

What we offer

As an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 11-12 according to UFO profile Assistant Professor 2-1, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4332,00 to €6737,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract with a scope of 1.0 FTE. 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.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, Click here

Maastricht University

Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

Faculty of Science and Engineering
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development. FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention. The Faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3150 students gather to explore exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen and Venlo, the homes of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening on each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to one of the largest chemistry and materials sites in Europe, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.