Assistant/Associate Professor of Microbiology

Are you a passionate scientist in Molecular or Structural Microbiology? We offer you the opportunity to build an innovative research program. Please apply at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU).

Location: AMSTERDAM
FTE: 0.8 - 1

Job description

As an Assistant or Associate Professor in Molecular or Structural Microbiology, you are part of the Molecular Microbiology section at the VU. You further strengthen the team that has a current expertise in Molecular and Medical Microbiology. Together with the Systems Biology, Ecology and Environmental Health sections, we form a new department, called A-LIFE (https://a-life-vu.nl/).

More than in a specific research topic, we are interested in your capacities to build an independent research program. We offer you the opportunity to define your research focus yourself, which could be linked to the current themes in the section (https://a-life-vu.nl/molecular-microbiology/), at the interface between these different themes or represent a completely novel line of research. Potential focus areas include Structural Biology, Microbial Genetics, Cell Biology, Microbial Evolution, Host-Pathogen Relationships, Bacterial Communities, Biotechnology and Antimicrobials. Potential connections with the broader interest areas within the A-LIFE department are welcomed but not mandatory.

In addition, you play a role in educational programs such as the BSc programs Biology and Biomedical Sciences, and the MSc programs Biomolecular Sciences and Biomedical sciences.

Your duties

• you build an independent research program in the field of Molecular or Structural Microbiology
• you teach in the relevant BSc and MSc programs
• you acquire and manage national and international research grants with academic, industrial and/or governmental partners
• you produce output in well-respected journals
• you perform managerial tasks for the department
• you play an active role in national and international research platforms

Requirements

• you hold a PhD degree and have a strong track record in your field of interest. You have well-cited publications in top-10 peer reviewed journals in Microbiology/Structural Biology, and/or relevant experience gained from research within industry
• you have a proven ability to acquire research funding (NWO, EU)
• you have demonstrable skills in collaboration, innovation, and preferably valorisation
• you have experience with supervising, motivating, and coaching of PhD and MSc students
• you are an inspiring teacher, preferably with a track record in undergraduate and/or graduate teaching programs
• you have a University Teaching Qualification ('BKO'). If not, you are willing to obtain this within two years after your appointment
• you are fluent in English. If you do not speak Dutch yet, you are willing to learn the language

What are we offering?

A challenging position in a socially involved organization.
You will be appointed as Assistant or Associate Professor, depending on your seniority.

On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary for an Assistant Professor of €3,974 (scale 11) and a maximum of €6,181 (scale 12) and for an Associate Professor minimum €5.506 and maximum €7,362 (scale 14), depending on your experience.

The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least
0.8 FTE.

The initial employment contract will be for a period of 1 year, but after a positive evaluation and proven suitability, a permanent contract will be given.

Your new research group will be supported by a generous start-up package. 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)
• good paid parental leave scheme
• contribution to commuting expenses

About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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.

About the department, institute, project
The department is located in a new research building together with other biological, chemical and medical disciplines offering key research infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration.

Part of the research in this building is clustered in the Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS; https://www.aimms.vu.nl/en/index.aspx).

The Molecular Microbiology section currently has 7 staff members and concentrates on the microbial cell envelope, protein secretion systems, novel antibiotics and phage biology.

Application

Are you interested in this position?

Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter until 13/09/2023.

The job interviews are planned for September 2023 and October 2023, when possible please take them into account when applying for the position.

Submitting a diploma is part of the application process.

Applications received by e-mail will not be processed.

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

Name: Dr. Edith Houben
Position: PI of Molecular Microbiology
E-mail: e.n.g.houben@vu.nl

No agencies