Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) in Environmental Chemistry for Environment and Health

Are you passionate about research and teaching, and would you like to work in a multidisciplinary team in the field of environmental chemistry? Please apply at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Location: AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands
FTE: 0.8 - 1,0

We are looking for a tenure track candidate to work in the field of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), mobile chemicals (e.g. PFAS), and complex mixtures of chemicals (UVCB such as chlorinated paraffin’s, essential and mineral oils). Other focal points are the biodegradation and bioaccumulation of POPs and mobile compounds, and source identification for persistent, mobile and complex mixtures.

The vacancy is embedded in the section Chemistry for Environment and Health of the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE) in the Faculty of Science of the Vrije Universiteit. A-LIFE seeks to connect properties and emergent behaviors across all scales, from molecules to ecosystems, including human populations. The section Chemistry for Environment and Health focuses on exposure and fate assessment of classic, emerging, and bioactive contaminants in humans and the environment by target analysis, suspect and non-target screening, metabolomics and effect-directed analysis, including biodegradation studies and experimental determination of physical-chemical properties of chemicals.

We ask candidates to write a concise research statement (max. 1 page A4) that describes how their research plans will contribute to the research portfolio of the Chemistry for Environment & Health section. You are encouraged to also include thoughts about (how to maximize) the societal impact of your research activities. In addition, we ask candidates to provide a concise teaching statement (also 1 page A4 max.) reflecting on their teaching vision and how they will contribute to the teaching tasks of the department. Teaching involves courses in various Bachelor and Master degree programmes, as well as other programmes.

Your duties

• executing and leading multidisciplinary scientific research projects
• develop a largely externally funded research programme in your research field
• develop and promote academic leadership
• teach Bachelor and Master level courses and supervise student projects
• provide high quality training and supervision to PhD students and postdocs
• engage in professional development activities related to teaching
• maintain an output of high-quality scientific peer-reviewed publications
• on the longer term, build up a successful group around your field of expertise

• a PhD degree in environmental chemistry with affinity for analytical chemistry
• research interest and academic track record in the field of environmental and analytical chemistry for environment and health
• experience in university-level teaching is preferred
• a research profile that shows affinity with toxicology to facilitate collaborations within the department
• excellent communication skills (written and spoken English) and motivation to work in a team
• proficiency in the Dutch language is not required, but the successful candidate is expected to develop at least a passive proficiency in the first three years after appointment

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. We offer a Tenure Track position at the level of Assistant Professor. A career plan to grow in 6 years from Assistant Professor (profile Universitair Docent 2) to Assistant Professor (profile Universitair Docent 1) will be made and formalised in a Tenure/Career Track agreement. After a positive evaluation the initial contract will be converted to a permanent position after a period of 18 months.

On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €3,974 (scale 11) and a maximum €5,439 (scale 11), depending on your education and experience. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 0.8 FTE.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• possibility to save holiday hours, for sabbatical leave
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 30,000 students. We employ over 5,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to more than 11,000 students.

Are you interested in this position? Please apply before

via the application button and upload:

• a letter in which you describe your abilities and motivation
• your curriculum vitae
• a research statement (max 1 A4 page)
• a teaching statement (max. 1 A4 page) and
• two references (no letters required yet)

Vacancy questions
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact:
Prof dr Pim Leonards, [email protected] ; +31 20 598 9509
Prof dr Marja Lamoree, [email protected] ; +31 20 598 9573

Relocation support
If you have any questions regarding moving to Amsterdam, and working at VU Amsterdam, you may contact:
Name: Sara Veldhorst
Position: Relocation Advisor
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone:  +31 20 59 85037

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