Job description
The Department of Physical Geography at Utrecht University has a distinct profile in research on land surface processes, natural hazards, large-scale hydrology, coast and river processes and morphology, spatio-dynamic modelling, earth observation and image processing. Our Coastal and River group focuses on the natural and human-induced dynamics of fluvial and coastal landscapes resulting from flow, sediment transport, biological interactions and human interference. We study barrier coasts, beaches and dunes, tidal inlet systems, rivers and floodplains, large estuaries with major ports, tidal flats, salt marshes and mangroves. In particular, we are excited about interactions between fluvial, marine and aeolian components in the widest sense and in feedbacks between physical and biotic processes in these landscapes. We combine numerical modelling, scale experiments, measurements in the field and also remote sensing. Our overarching aim is to contribute to the solution of major scientific and societal challenges, and to this end we aim to combine our knowledge in generic bio-morphological fluvial/coastal models.

Do you share our enthusiasm? Do you want to work with inspired researchers and establish a research line related to field observation and analysis, remote sensing, and/or modelling of the dynamics of coastal ecosystems in a changing world (e.g., climate change; human interference; nature restoration)? Describe your dream research line in a two-page document accompanied by a thoughtful motivation letter in which you also explain what attracts you to our group. We particularly welcome research lines that link scientific questions on the development of coastal dune ecosystems to societal challenges resulting from human pressure, pollution and/or climate change, such as the loss in biodiversity and landscape geodiversity.

You are expected to acquire funding from national and European science funding agencies for personal fellowships, PhDs and postdocs. We offer you specialised support for your funding application process. You will be involved in the co-supervision of PhD candidates and postdocs, sharing responsibility for the field- and/or laboratory experiments, and presenting results in journal papers and at international conferences, in collaboration with the other staff. You will also contribute to our courses in the Earth Science Bachelor and Master programmes, strengthening their ecological and bio-geomorphological content.

Qualifications
You hold a PhD degree in a relevant area, such as landscape ecology, environmental sciences, earth surface dynamics, physical geography, marine sciences, environmental biology or a closely related field. You have an exciting research vision to complement ours. Your academic track record offers funding potential for personal fellowships, PhDs and postdocs. You have affinity for teaching and either have obtained or are willing to obtain your Basic Teaching Qualification. You are able to demonstrate excellent English language proficiency. We require a qualification English at C1 level (CEFR or comparable to level 3 of the Lecturer Assesment Grid) or you are prepared to obtain this level by training. Our department is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce, and we strongly welcome women to apply.

Offer
We offer a full-time Tenure Track position for a period of four years. We will agree upon a set of performance indicators to be met within the contract period. Subject to overall performance, we intend to convert your appointment to a permanent position. This may be either at the end of your contract or as soon as you qualify. Further career development to Associate Professor is possible. The gross salary ranges between €3,637 and €4,978 per month (scale 11 of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities). The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% per year.

The research group will provide you with strong and collegial support on all aspects of the work. You will have access to our instrument pool for studies on flow-, wave- and wind-driven processes, laboratory infrastructure, and computing facilities. Other novel techniques, analyses and facilities in the faculty can be accessed in collaboration. We offer a collegial and lively department with much collaboration, including externally with the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). We will introduce you into our extensive network of coastal stakeholders to facilitate productive co-creation involving researchers, public authorities and private partners with different backgrounds and approaches. In addition to our specialised support to acquire external funds and fellowships, we coach for supervision of junior researchers, and we have a coaching trajectory towards the Basic Teaching Qualification.

We offer possibilities for personal development, flexible employment conditions including part-time, holidays, parental leave, a pension scheme and collective insurance schemes. Facilities for childcare and sports and a botanical garden are available on our campus, which is only 15 minutes away from the historical city centre of Utrecht.

About the organization
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.

Click for more information about the department Physical Geography.

Additional informationAdditional information about this vacancy can be obtained from: Prof Gerben Ruessink at B.G.Ruessink@uu.nl.

Apply
Applications should consist of:

  • a letter of application describing your motivation for this position, your most important qualifications and what attracts you to our group;
  • a two-page document outlining your dream research line in coastal ecosystem dynamics and topics to develop in research proposals and projects;
  • your curriculum vitae, including a list of publications, teaching and any public communications or applied projects you are proud of.

Complete announcement at https://www.researchgate.net/job/934985_Assistant_Professor_Tenure_Track_in_Dynamics_of_Coastal_Ecosystems

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