Assistant Professor in Analytics and Optimization in Amsterdam

Your function

We are seeking a new colleague who is passionate about scientific research and education. Our department is looking for an excellent researcher with a proven expertise in the broad area of Operations Research. We are particularly interested in candidates who have a strong scientific profile with a commitment to collaboration with industry and other external organisations. We are an inclusive, interdisciplinary group, and diversity and internationalism is at the heart of our research principles, as well as our teaching practice.

An important part of this position is to connect our expertise with audiences and partners beyond the Department of Mathematics. This includes developing research collaborations and contract research with companies and other organisations, contributing to professional education, and teaching students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. We welcome candidates whose research advances the foundations or methodology of Operations Research and who are motivated to translate their expertise into meaningful applications, education and partnerships.

The preferred starting date is 1 September or earlier.

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 an independent research line in Operations Research

you initiate and develop collaborations with companies and other external organisations, including joint research projects, externally funded proposals and contract research

you contribute to the development and delivery of professional education within our lifelong learning programmes, translating our research methods into learning experiences relevant to professionals

you teach and supervise students at undergraduate and graduate level, both within Mathematics and Business Analytics and in programmes beyond these disciplines

you show academic leadership, nationally and internationally, and contribute to departmental activities and the wider academic community.

Your profile

you have a PhD in mathematics / operations research, preferably with a few years of postdoctoral experience

you have a strong research record in Operations Research, appropriate to your career stage, demonstrating scientific quality, originality and potential for an independent research programme

you are motivated to build lasting relationships with companies and other external organisations and to develop collaborative research opportunities. Relevant experience is an advantage

you are an effective teacher, with an interest in developing education for both academic and professional audiences

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

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. 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.

Based on full-time employment, and depending on experience, the gross monthly salary ranges from €4.,00 to €7.,00 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:

8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus

contribution to commuting expenses

optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment

good paid parental leave scheme

flexible working hours