Assistant professor Environmental Geography and Land Use

Do you like working with spatial data? Do you believe that spatial data can assist in achieving good land use planning and a more sustainable future? Then please apply at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Your function

As part of the team of the Environmental Geography staff your research and teaching will use spatial data and modelling to explore alternative futures of land use at local, European and global scales. You will show policy makers and different stakeholder groups the potential of land use management to contribute to sustainable future development pathways. Your work is, focussed on the use of innovative spatial methods and models. Preferably you can apply spatial methods to both rural and urban areas, and address sustainability in agriculture, urban and natural land uses. Together with colleagues you teach students at Bsc and Msc level in spatial research methods and sustainability-related topics. At the PhD level, you supervise researchers working on land use science and spatial modelling. You write project proposals to fund PhD students and Postdocs that use a systems perspective, quantitative modelling tools and spatial research methods. You collaborate in research projects related to sustainability both inside and outside the department. 

Your duties:

  • you develop innovative research using spatial analysis and modelling across multiple landscape types
  • you teach in general and more specialized Environmental Science courses that are part of the institute’s teaching programmes
  • you supervise Master's and Bachelor's theses
  • you work together with the department's staff in the acquisition of external funds for PhD and postdoc projects
  • you (co-) publish scientific papers and present your work to stakeholders

Your profile

  • you have a PhD in geography, geographic information systems, spatial statistics, or a related discipline
  • you have demonstrable experience with quantitative spatial research approaches and land use change analysis
  • you have affinity with interdisciplinary methods
  • you have experience in academic teaching

We prefer candidates with at least 2 years of postdoc experience. However, if you have more recently obtained your PhD and you have a strong fit with our IVM research domains and education programms (https://vu.nl/en/about-vu/research-institutes/ivm), we are also happy to consider your application.

We recognise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. We would like to invite everyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not (fully) meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 4.728,00 (Scale 11) and maximum € 6.433,00 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Lecturer 2. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
  • a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 18 months. Afterwards, there is a prospect of a permanent contract.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

  • A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
  • good growth opportunities
  • contribution to commuting expenses

About us

Institute for Environmental Studies
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 research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Policy Analysis; Environmental Geography; and Water and Climate Risk. IVM is part of the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (www.ivm.vu.nl). This position is based within the Environmental Geography department. The Environmental Geography department conducts interdisciplinary research on the spatial aspects of environmental and social challenges and the solutions sustainable land use can provide to these.

Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Interested

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application. Please submit your CV and a motivation letter that explains your vision on your research and education in this function. Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process, but with this initial application it is sufficient to send us the names and contact details of two possible references.

 

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Your function

As part of the team of the Environmental Geography staff your research and teaching will use spatial data and modelling to explore alternative futures of land use at local, European and global scales. You will show policy makers and different stakeholder groups the potential of land use management to contribute to sustainable future development pathways. Your work is, focussed on the use of innovative spatial methods and models. Preferably you can apply spatial methods to both rural and urban areas, and address sustainability in agriculture, urban and natural land uses. Together with colleagues you teach students at Bsc and Msc level in spatial research methods and sustainability-related topics. At the PhD level, you supervise researchers working on land use science and spatial modelling. You write project proposals to fund PhD students and Postdocs that use a systems perspective, quantitative modelling tools and spatial research methods. You collaborate in research projects related to sustainability both inside and outside the department. 

Your duties:

  • you develop innovative research using spatial analysis and modelling across multiple landscape types
  • you teach in general and more specialized Environmental Science courses that are part of the institute’s teaching programmes
  • you supervise Master's and Bachelor's theses
  • you work together with the department's staff in the acquisition of external funds for PhD and postdoc projects
  • you (co-) publish scientific papers and present your work to stakeholders

Your profile

  • you have a PhD in geography, geographic information systems, spatial statistics, or a related discipline
  • you have demonstrable experience with quantitative spatial research approaches and land use change analysis
  • you have affinity with interdisciplinary methods
  • you have experience in academic teaching

We prefer candidates with at least 2 years of postdoc experience. However, if you have more recently obtained your PhD and you have a strong fit with our IVM research domains and education programms (https://vu.nl/en/about-vu/research-institutes/ivm), we are also happy to consider your application.

We recognise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. We would like to invite everyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not (fully) meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 4.728,00 (Scale 11) and maximum € 6.433,00 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Lecturer 2. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
  • a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 18 months. Afterwards, there is a prospect of a permanent contract.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

  • A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
  • good growth opportunities
  • contribution to commuting expenses

About us

Institute for Environmental Studies
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 research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Policy Analysis; Environmental Geography; and Water and Climate Risk. IVM is part of the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (www.ivm.vu.nl). This position is based within the Environmental Geography department. The Environmental Geography department conducts interdisciplinary research on the spatial aspects of environmental and social challenges and the solutions sustainable land use can provide to these.

Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Questions about the vacancy?

Please contact

Peter Verburg

Department head

Interested

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application. Please submit your CV and a motivation letter that explains your vision on your research and education in this function. Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process, but with this initial application it is sufficient to send us the names and contact details of two possible references.

 

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Questions about the vacancy?

Please contact

Peter Verburg

Department head

Application procedure

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