Open Position: Professor in Biodiversity, Ecosystem Management and Ecosystem Restore – Deadline 28 February 2022

The  University of Antwerp  is a dynamic, future-oriented European university. We provide innovative academic education to more than 20,000 students, conduct groundbreaking scientific research and play an important service role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and innovative employers in the region. With more than 6,000 employees from 100 different countries, we build the world of tomorrow every day. Through top scientific research we push boundaries and indicate the direction. The direction of the future. And you can determine that. 

The Department of Biology of the Faculty of Science has the following full-time vacancy:

independent academic staff in the field  of Biodiversity, Ecosystem Management and Ecosystem Recovery

The Department of Biology consists of 7 research groups and has a strong ecological orientation with attention to the different levels of structural and functional organization (from molecule to ecosystem). Education and research focuses on ecosystem functioning, changes in biodiversity, and nature-based solutions to environmental problems, such as climate adaptation.

Function

You contribute to the three core tasks of the University of Antwerp: education, research and services. Organizing and managerial tasks are also part of your assignment.

Education

• You provide high-quality education, both to bachelor’s and master’s students. You play an important role in the education within the Biology programs at the University of Antwerp, in particular the international master’s program “Biodiversity, Conservation and Restoration”, in which you teach courses in the field of biodiversity management, nature conservation, landscape ecology and restoration ecology.
• In the bachelor education you are jointly responsible for courses and field internships in the field of vegetation science and plant identification. You also participate in the seminars and practicals that are organized in this regard.
• Your teaching assignment evolves in function of the training programmes.
• You contribute to the development of activating, student-centred and competence-oriented courses and study programmes.
• You supervise students with bachelor and master theses.

Research

• You build a high-quality scientific research team in the field of biodiversity protection, ecosystem management and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems (e.g. wetlands, grasslands, heathland, forest) and you collaborate with other groups within the University that conduct related research. You lead this team of researchers (pre- and post-doctoral researchers, and technical assistants), set out the research lines and coordinate the research activities.
• The research focuses on the ecosystem level, using a multidisciplinary, system-oriented and process-oriented approach, preferably investigating interactions between vegetation, microbiology, soil chemistry, hydrology and/or geology.
• You initiate new research initiatives and participate in existing ones.
• You acquire and manage (inter)national research funding (including FWO, ERC, EU,…) and you coordinate the implementation of these scientific research projects.
• You publish in international journals and other professional literature.
• You develop an international scientific network.
• You supervise doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers.

Services

• You take on internal and external assignments for scientific and social services. You are actively involved in organizing workshops and conferences and attracting pre- and postdoctoral researchers.

Organization and leadership

• You take on coordinating responsibilities in the field of education, research and/or service provision and you contribute to the image of the department and the research group.
• You lead in a motivating, coaching way. You pay attention to the growth process and the development of your employees.

Profile

• You obtained a PhD with a thesis in the field of Ecology.
• You can demonstrate several years of postdoctoral or equivalent experience in the research domain. International experience is recommended.
• You have demonstrable experience and collaboration with (inter)national organizations that are active in the field of biodiversity conservation/restoration.
• You have demonstrable vegetal and floristic knowledge. Knowledge of soil science and/or biogeochemical cycles is an advantage.
• You have experience with ecosystem types along the gradient from terrestrial to wet nature (eg forest, grassland, heath, peat). Experience with wetland ecosystems is recommended.
• You are a team player.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and  university research policy . You have built up an excellent research file with a strong portfolio of international publications and collaboration.
• Your educational competences are in line with the  educational vision  of the University of Antwerp. You are motivated to further develop your didactic skills through the professionalization opportunities offered  .
• If you do not master the administrative language, Dutch, you are prepared to learn Dutch up to CEFR level B2. As soon as you take up a teaching assignment as a lecturer or co-teacher, you can demonstrate that you master the teaching language of the course unit at CEFR level C1. We support international employees with an integration process and offer appropriate language guidance within the framework of the Flemish  language regulations.
• You show leadership potential and you demonstrate organizational ability.
• You work in a quality-oriented, honest, creative and collaborative manner.

offer

• We offer a full-time appointment as a ZAP member. We determine your degree (lecturer, associate professor, professor or full professor) on the basis of your professional experience and academic qualifications. Junior ZAP members usually receive a temporary appointment as tenure track lecturer for five years, followed by a permanent appointment as senior lecturer. An appointment as senior lecturer or higher leads to a permanent appointment after a maximum of three years. A favorable performance review is always required for appointment.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the  scales  for the Independent Academic Staff.
• You will receive eco vouchers and a bicycle allowance or full refund for your commute by public transport.
• The planned start date is  October 1, 2022  or as soon as possible afterwards.
• You will largely work on Campus Drie Eiken, in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Read  here  more about working at the University of Antwerp and discover other  benefits .

Apply?

• You can  apply for this vacancy up to and including  28 February 2022 via the online application platform of the University of Antwerp. Click on the ‘Apply’ button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: (1) your motivation letter, (2) the completed application attachment  for ZAP , (3) your academic CV with special attention to publications, projects and networks .
• The selection committee will review all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. Once a decision has been made, we will notify you and inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, you can  consult the  Frequently Asked Questions or send an email to  jobs@uantwerpen.be . For substantive questions about the position, please contact Prof. Kris Vissenberg,  kris.vissersberg@uantwerpen.be  or Prof. Stijn Termmerman,  stijn.temmerman@uantwerpen.be .

For further information on the application process, click here.