Scientific Director Donders Institute

We seek to appoint a new Scientific Director to lead the internationally oriented and interdisciplinary organised Donders Institute.

We are looking for a proven research leader in a field represented in or relevant to the Donders Institute with a strong academic track record and demonstrable leadership skills. As a key figure in our institute, you will help shape the future of collaborative interdisciplinary research, foster innovation, and create an environment in which people and ideas can thrive.

The Donders Institute is a vibrant network organisation that unites six partner institutes engaged in cutting-edge brain and behaviour research. As Scientific Director, you will chair its Executive Board and guide the institute’s overall scientific and strategic direction. You will do so in close collaboration with the Managing Director and the experienced teams at the Donders Institute and her partners. Your responsibilities include overseeing the institute’s scientific programme and shaping a diverse portfolio that encompasses talent development, expanding societal impact, building external partnerships, advancing public outreach, driving diversity, and promoting sustainable science. A key part of the role will be to strengthen the institute’s capacity to attract external research funding and to position Donders competitively in national and European funding landscapes.

Researchers affiliated with the Donders Institute (approximately 300 faculty, 300 postdocs, and 600 PhD candidates) are based within its partner organisations — including the Faculties of Science, Social Sciences, and Arts, the Radboud University Medical Center, the Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, and the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics. Your leadership will therefore be highly collaborative and integrative, bringing together colleagues from different institutional backgrounds and fostering shared purpose, trust, and collective ambition across the Donders community. In addition, you will maintain constructive links with education within the partner faculties.

You will nurture a strong, forward-looking academic environment and represent the Donders Institute with visibility and credibility in national and international arenas – from international research collaborations to Dutch science policy and broader public dialogue. In the coming years, a key focus will be to strengthen the institute’s strategic engagement and visibility at both national and European levels, and beyond, leveraging strategic networks and partnerships to advance the institute’s mission.

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 4 years, with the possibility of an extension for another 4 years. You will dedicate 0.5 FTE to leading the Donders Institute and 0.5 FTE to your own research and/or teaching activities. The appointment will be at the level of Full Professor at one of the partner Faculties.
• Your salary within salary scale H1 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• We offer Dual Career Coaching. The Dual Career Coaching assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour
The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour is a leading network organisation consisting of six partner institutes, where more than 1,000 researchers are committed to unravelling the secrets of the brain, cognition and behaviour. Research within the Donders Institute is organised around four central themes:

1. Language and communication
2. Perception, action and decision-making
3. Plasticity and lifelong development
4. Natural computation and neurotechnology

Our state-of-the-art research facilities support a wide range of neuroscience research and provide excellent opportunities for innovation and collaboration. The Donders Institute is internationally recognised for being a ‘highly stimulating environment for top researchers and young talent’. The institute has the ambition to grow further as an outstanding, internationally oriented research organisation that plays an important role in the ‘premier league’ of similar brain research organisations in Europe.

We offer a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment in which a diverse and international staff works on cutting-edge research. As an organisation, we are committed to the professional growth of staff within the Donders Institute and offer a stimulating workplace in which innovation and collaboration are central.

To also give you an idea at the Donders Institute, we made a video in which you can also see the research, facilities and unique opportunities the Donders Institute has to offer.

Radboud University
At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

An executive search exercise is being undertaken by Perrett Laver to assist the Appointment Committee in identifying the widest possible field of qualified candidates and assisting in the assessment of candidates against the requirements for the role. All information regarding the application procedure can be found on Perrett Laver's website. Please click on the button below.

Informal enquiries and questions can be directed to Erik Hafner at +31 (0)202 404 379, or by email at erik.hafner@perrettlaver.com.