Assistant Professor in Nutrient enrichment and biodiversity loss (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)

Assistant Professor in Nutrient enrichment and biodiversity loss (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)
Assistant Professor in Nutrient enrichment and biodiversity loss (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)

Published	Deadline	Location
yesterday	20 Nov	Utrecht

Utrecht University is looking for an Assistant Professor in Nutrient enrichment and biodiversity loss. Interested? Read the full profile and apply.
Job description

At the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University, we are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious colleague to further strengthen our group with a specific focus on nutrient enrichment and biodiversity loss.

Ecosystems worldwide suffer under enrichment with nutrients i.e. eutrophication. Enrichment with nitrogen and phosphorus leads to disruption of ecosystem functioning and biodiversity loss. Especially in Western Europe high nitrogen deposition leads to loss of nitrogen limited ecosystems and biodiversity. In the Netherlands, this has resulted in a ‘nitrogen crisis’ that requires urgent actions.
However, also phosphorus eutrophication persists unless measures have been taken to diminish the phosphate load to surface waters. Agricultural fertilization has led to phosphate saturated soils and the legacy of this enrichment will continue for decades. It is therefore essential to analyze how nitrogen and phosphorus interact in soil and water and affect ecosystem processes, biodiversity and management outcomes to develop policies and measures to sustain and restore ecosystems.
The candidate is expected to contribute to an internationally renowned research line on nutrient enrichment and biodiversity. You apply a systems approach in which you connect fundamental process-oriented ecosystem research to ecosystem  restoration and policies. You have plant identification skills and good knowledge of the European flora. You will contribute to the acquisition and execution of externally funded projects, including acquisition and supervision of PhD students. We will enable and coach you to apply for personal research grants.
The candidate will teach in the BSc programme Global Sustainability Science; in the MSc programmes Sustainable Development, and Water, Science and Management; and supervise bachelor's and master's theses. Teaching topics include landscape ecology and nature conservation, ecohydrology, soil and water chemistry, system analysis, land use change. Teaching is in English. In the first two years, the teaching load will be 50%; after two years teaching load will increase to 60%.

Specifications

• 28—40 hours per week
• €3974—€5439 per month
• Utrecht View on Google Maps

Utrecht University

Requirements

We gladly receive applications from candidates who:

• have a PhD in a relevant field in environmental sciences or ecology;
• have experience in ecological field work and experiments;
• have profound knowledge of soil chemistry;
• have experience with analyzing plant trait databases;  
• have experience with and an interest in academic teaching;
• have a network for the acquisition of externally funded projects particularly in the Netherlands and the EU;
• have a record of international peer-reviewed publications;
• can demonstrate English language proficiency at C1 level (CEFR or comparable to level 3 of the Lecturer Assessment Grid) or are prepared to obtain this level by training;
• are proficient in Dutch or prepared to acquire Dutch language skills.

Conditions of employment

We offer a position (0.8 - 1.0 FTE) for a probationary period of 18 months. Permanent employment will be offered based upon good performance, according to the Faculty’s performance indicators, after 18 months. The Faculty of Geosciences has an excellent merit-based career and promotion policy. As part thereof, career development up to Associate Professor (level 2) is possible without a so called ‘formation principle’, yet based on performance. The gross monthly starting salary – depending on qualifications and experience - ranges between €3,974 and €5,439 (scale 11 of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities) for a full-time employment. 
Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8,3% per year. In addition, you will have access to all equipment in our state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure, coaching for teaching and supervision of researchers, and training and support regarding the acquisition of external funds. Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions , including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University . 

Employer

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 societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.
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 Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development is part of the Faculty of Geosciences. At the Copernicus Institute, our goal is to have a positive impact on the transition towards a sustainable future. The Copernicus Institute has had an excellent research evaluation in 2021 and the institute takes pride in maintaining its leading position in national and international sustainability research, and by developing new, internationally oriented teaching programmes.

Additional information
For more information about this position please contact Prof. Martin Wassen via [email protected].
You are also invited to join our online information session via Microsoft Teams on:

• Wednesday 9 November between 16.00 - 17.00 CEST.
  Click here to join the meeting

You can ask us about our profiles and tasks of the offered position, the possibilities of professional development, and moving to and living in Utrecht (housing, visa, schools, partner opportunities). We look forward to meeting you!

Working at Utrecht University

At Utrecht University, we work together towards a better future for all of us. You are invited to contribute to a better world.

Will you join us?

Apply for this job
Apply for this job

This application process is managed by the employer (Utrecht University). Please contact the employer for questions regarding your application.

Apply for this job via the employer's website
Thank you for applying

Please contact the employer for questions regarding your application.

Tip: save this job as favorite in your AcademicTransfer account. This gives you an immediate overview and makes it easy to find the job later on. No account yet? Create it now and take advantage of other useful functionalities too!

Back to the vacancy
Application procedure
Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. 
To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the ‘apply’ button below.