Associate Professor Land Use and Ecosystem Dynamics

Voor 0.8-1.0 fte
Vacaturenummer 18239
VU onderdeel: Extern

The associate professor candidate is expected to lead a largely externally funded research programme in the analysis of Socio-Ecological Systems with a specialization that relates to either land use, biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics or green infrastructure with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches and solution-oriented research. The appointee is expected to teach, conduct research, and fulfil limited administrative duties in support of the strong teaching and research base. Teaching involves courses in Environmental Sciences, Ecosystem Management and Spatial Analysis (GIS) for various BSc and MSc programmes. The candidate is expected to supervise BSc and MSc student projects. The candidate should show academic leadership with an internationally recognized, innovative research approach, maintain a high publication output, and be independent in raising competitive research funding. The candidate is expected to build up a successful group around his/her field of expertise that is part of the larger group working on Land Use, Food Systems and Ecosystem Services at the Institute for Environmental Studies.

Requirements
We offer a challenging position at an associate professor level for a candidate with a PhD in environmental sciences or geography and a research interest in one or more of the following, related themes: Land use change, Ecosystem Dynamics, Biodiversity and Climate change in relation to Land Use, Spatial modelling, Socio-Ecological Systems or (urban) Green Infrastructure. Independent of the theme, a spatial approach is required to fit with the overall objectives of the department and a strong complementarity to the staff of the Environmental Geography section is required. The candidate should have a significant experience in academic teaching and have strong quantitative methodological skills. The candidate should have a strong publication record, be part of international networks, show leadership, and a proven capacity to acquire funding for large (collaborative) projects. The candidate should have a basic qualification in teaching for Dutch universities ('BKO'), or be willing to acquire this qualification after appointment.

Conditions of employment
The starting date is between 1 September 2018 and 1 January 2019. We offer a tenure track position at the level of associate professor. Within an agreed period tenure could be achieved if the criteria for associate professor are fulfilled. Alternatively, it is possible to grow towards a full professor position. During the tenure, the performance will be evaluated in terms of teaching, publication record, and acquisition of prestigious personal grants or equivalent project funding. After a successful evaluation permanent employment will be granted. You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at our website www.workingatvu.nl:

• remuneration of 8.3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance;
• solid pension scheme (ABP);
• a minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment;
• possibilities to save up holidays for sabbatical leave;
• contribution commuting allowance;
• discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance).

Employer
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) is a leading, innovative and growing university that is at the heart of society and actively contributes to new developments in teaching and research. Our university has ten faculties, and provides work for over 4,500 staff and scientific education for more than 23,000 students.

Department
http://www.ivm.vu.nl
Established in 1971, IVM is a leading environmental research institute that is internationally recognized for its high quality research output in a range of environmental disciplines, as well as for its interdisciplinary work. The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and care for the environment through scientific research and teaching. IVM aims to do excellent problem-oriented research that is useful to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally. A unique strength of our research is to understand sustainability problems in their social and economic context. IVM’s research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Policy Analysis; Environmental Geography; and Water and Climate Risk. Since 2001 IVM is part of the Faculty of Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The Department of Environmental Geography investigates the role of spatial variation in environmental systems to increase our understanding of environmental change and support environmental management. The focus of the group is on land use change and its impacts on ecosystem services and society. Temporal dynamics and future scenarios are explored with spatial modeling of changes in land use and ecosystem services, including natural, rural and urban systems. Advanced methods for stakeholder participation and ex-ante evaluation are developed and tested to support environmental management and land use planning.

Additional information
The starting salary depends on the experience and qualifications and will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel. It ranges from € 4815,00 gross per month up to a maximum of € 6438,00 based on full-time employment.

Information
For additional information please contact:
Prof. dr. Peter Verburg (Peter.Verburg@vu.nl)

Application
Candidates are requested to send their application comprising a motivation letter, a short statement of the research focus and anticipate research directions, curriculum vitae (including a full publication list and publication metrics), the names and contact details of two references recent teaching evaluations to Marjolijn Staarink (marjolijn.staarink@vu.nl) before August 10, 2018. Please mention the vacancy number in the e-mail header.