Assistant Professor in Earth materials & mineral science

The Department of Earth Sciences of Utrecht University is looking for an Assistant Professor in Earth Materials Sciences. As our new colleague, you will strengthen research and education in Earth Sciences and develop your own internationally recognized research line that should be complementary to current team efforts and contribute to the long-term viability of earth materials research within the department.

Your job
We are interested in earth materials/mineral science experts that can address traditional earth sciences topics, but are keen to use earth material science knowledge and expertise for modern societal challenges. For example, this could be research on the development or characterization of new materials using earth-science specific knowledge on texture, structure and composition of complex natural materials. We also welcome research on nature-inspired solutions to societal challenges, e.g., storage of radionuclides in high-field-strength-element bearing minerals, storage of gases in zeolites/hydrates, transformation of asbestos, weathering of concrete and monuments, energy storage.

Successful candidates are expected to develop an independent and versatile research line of which the societal side will preferably connect to our broad research themes of Sustainable Use of the Subsurface, Natural Hazards, and Planetary Health & (the) Environment. Ideally, the candidate complements staff department members in the larger domain of petrology, structural geology, experimental rock studies, mineral physics, rock magnetism, and mineral-water interface studies. Besides developing your own line of research, it would be of advantage to be interested in facilitating transnational access to our state-of-the-art laboratories for which we collaborate in two European programs.

You will play an essential role in education by inspiring students and developing innovative courses in the BSc and MSc programs of the Department of Earth Sciences, in basic geological courses and, in particular, in the specialized field of advanced mineralogy, as well as in supervising graduation projects. It may be regarded as a benefit, if you are able to contribute to the field teaching programs.

On average, the Department of Earth Sciences targets at equal contributions to educational activities and research for all its tenured academic staff, resulting in (up to) 40% BSc/MSc teaching duties, 40% research, and 20% of other activities (management tasks, committee work, etc.).

We are looking for a strong team player with good communication and networking skills, who is focused on achieving multidisciplinary research targets and participating in the acquisition of funding for research projects. It is highly recommended that applicants have a minimum experience of two to three years as a postdoctoral researcher.

We seek a highly motivated candidate who holds a PhD degree in solid Earth Sciences or a relevant natural science. If you:

• are a recognized expert in Earth materials;
• are interested to explore the use of Earth materials knowledge for societal challenges;
• are committed to multi- and interdisciplinary research;
• have strong communication, networking and organisational skills;
• have relevant international experience and an outstanding record of academic research, as reflected in high-quality publications;
• are willing to actively obtain research grants and actively develop new research lines;
• have strong didactic skills, enjoy teaching, and are an inspiring mentor to BSc students, MSc students and PhD candidates;
• have obtained a basic teaching qualification (at Utrecht University or equal), or are willing to obtain this qualification in the near future;
• have a keen eye for public outreach,

we encourage you to apply.

You are expected to have an excellent level of English, both spoken and written. We require a qualification English at C1 level (CEFR or comparable to level 3 of the Lecturer Assessment Grid) or to be prepared to obtain this level by training. For non- Dutch speaking candidates, Dutch language skills should be at the level of practical communication within two years of the appointment. Willingness to further develop this toward the ability of teaching in Dutch in the longer term is desired.

Your vision on teaching, research vision and funding potential will be considered by the committee. Because of the ‘open rank’ nature of the available position, the requirements above will differ and depend on the career stage of the applicant. Publication track record, teaching record, acquired research funds and leadership experience will be weighed against the number of years of academic experience, also considering (parental) leave and part-time appointments.

We strongly encourage women to apply. The Faculty’s policy is to improve gender, as well as cultural diversity. Therefore, the diversity of our staff population and your connection to existing activities in the department may also provide guidance in the selection process.

We offer:

• a position ( 0.8 – 1.0 FTE) as an assistant professor (level 2/scale 11) for 18 months. After a positive evaluation the position will be made permanent;
• a working week of 32- 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 4.728 and €6.433 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 11 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Department of Earth Sciences is the largest academic Earth Sciences institute in The

Netherlands. We conduct teaching and research across the full range of the solid Earth and environmental Earth sciences, with activities in almost all areas of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, biogeology and hydrogeology. The department hosts a highly international tenured staff of over 50 scientists and more than 110 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. We house or have access to a wide variety of world-class laboratories, among which are UU’s Electron Microscopy Centre, the Paleomagnetic Laboratory, the Geolab, and the Earth Simulation Laboratory.

About Utrecht:
The department is located at the Utrecht Science Park. Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands with a population of nearly 360,000 and forms a hub in the middle of the country. Its historical city centre and its modern central station can easily be reached from the Science Park by public transport or by a 15-minute bicycle ride. Utrecht boasts beautiful canals with extraordinary wharf cellars housing cafés and terraces by the water, as well as a broad variety of shops and boutiques.

For additional information (not for application) about this position, please contact Dr Suzanne Hangx (chair of the search committee) at s.j.t.hangx@uu.nl, or Prof. Dr Jack Middelburg (head of department) at j.b.m.middelburg@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.