Two Assistant Professors in Mathematical Statistics and Stochastic Processes

Are you a researcher in Mathematical Statistics or Stochastic Processes? Are you interested in working in a collaborative environment to provide an excellent mathematics education to our students and to develop an internationally leading research programme? Please apply at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Location: Amsterdam
FTE:         0.8 - 1

We are seeking new colleagues who are passionate about scientific research and education. Our department is looking for mathematicians with a proven expertise in the broad area of Mathematical Statistics and Stochastic Processes. We are particularly interested in candidates that work at the intersection between theory and applications. This may include, but is not restricted to, mathematical statistics, biostatistics, statistics for life sciences, causal inference, mathematics of machine learning, data assimilation and applications in neuroscience, biology, health care, movement sciences and economics. We are an inclusive, interdisciplinary group, and diversity and internationalism is at the heart of our research principles, as well as our teaching practice.

The preferred starting date is 1 September 2024 or earlier.

In this position you develop your own research line. The appointment of Assistant Professor is initially for 18 months and leads into a permanent contract. After a positive evaluation at the end of the first year, based on transparent criteria, the initial contract will be converted to a permanent position. Furthermore, a 5-year career track from Assistant Professor 2 (scale 11; UD2) to Assistant Professor 1 (scale 12; UD1) is offered. For exceptional, experienced candidates an appointment as associate professor is a possibility. 

Applications from all groups currently under-represented in academic posts are especially encouraged. We particularly welcome applications from women and people with an ethnic minority background.

Your duties

• you develop a (partially application driven) research line in Mathematical Statistics and Stochastic Processes 
• you contribute to the teaching of the department, at both the undergraduate and graduate level 
• you show academic leadership, nationally and internationally
• you participate in departmental activities and tasks, including writing grant proposals

• you have a PhD in mathematics or statistics with a few years of postdoctoral experience
• you have a strong research record, as witnessed by excellent publications, original research projects, and an international network
• you are an effective lecturer
• you have good communication and execution skills
• you are fluent in English 
• you have a basic teaching qualification (‘BKO’), as required by Dutch universities, or equivalent. If not, you are willing to obtain this qualification

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. Based on full-time employment, and depending on experience, the gross monthly salary ranges from €4332 to €6737 in accordance with Dutch academic salary scales 11, or 12. The job profile (Assistant professor or “Universitair docent”) is based on the Dutch university job ranking system and the position is available for 0.8-1.0 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
• contribution to commuting expenses
• good paid parental leave scheme
• flexible working hours

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 31,000 students. We employ over 5,000 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
Working at the Faculty of Science means working together with students, PhD candidates and scientists who are focused on their discipline, yet also have a broad view of the world. We are proud of the collegial working environment within the faculty, which is characterised by an ambitious and pragmatic attitude with commitment to the bigger picture. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex social issues for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from genetics to pharmaceuticals and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research cover the full breadth of the natural sciences. Scientific teaching and research is highly experimental, technical, computational and interdisciplinary in nature. This is why we collaborate extensively with leading research institutes and industry. The faculty has over 11,000 students studying across 40 educational programmes and employs over 1,600 staff spread over 10 scientific departments, making us the largest science faculty in the Netherlands.

The Department of Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics strives for excellence in research. The department balances pure mathematical research with mathematical research motivated by applications. Researchers in the department are on one hand active at a fundamental and theoretical level, and, on the other hand, work on applications with links to business, the sciences, and societal issues. The department has a strong international research staff with expertise in dynamical systems, topology, geometry and algebra, as well as in stochastics (statistics, data analytics, probability). 

The department offers bachelor and master programmes in mathematics and in business analytics. In addition, the department provides mathematics courses for other programmes of the Faculty of Science, for programmes of other faculties in the university, and for Amsterdam University College.

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button by

and upload: a cover letter in which you describe your abilities and motivation, a research statement, a brief teaching statement, a curriculum vitae, a publication list, as well as the contact details of three potential referees 

Applications received by e-mail will not be processed.

Vacancy questions
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, please contact:

Name: Frank van der Meulen
Position: Professor of Mathematics
E-mail: [email protected]