Assistant Professor Scalable & Consistent Systems for Interactive Worlds (SCSI)

Requirements

• You have a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or similar area when hired
• You have a very good publication track record, and have published in top conferences and journals as the lead (conceptual) author
• You have experience with the main methodological approaches in computer systems and networking, e.g., creating and analysing abstractions, designing systems and system-level techniques, designing and conducting experiments, analysing experimental results
• The following give a plus on the scientific side: (i) experience with defining and leading high-quality peer-reviewed publications; (ii) experience with popular interactive virtual worlds and/or metaverses; (iii) experience with emerging hardware platforms for expanding the user experience in interactive virtual worlds and/or metaverses, such as VR, AR, XR.
• You have professional accreditation in education at academic level, or willingness to acquire one within one year of hiring
• You have proven ability to design and coordinate large-scale courses in the computer systems and networking area, at BSc and/or MSc programs level
• You have proven supervision of BSc and MSc students conducting their thesis-project research
• The following give a plus on the education side: (i) supervision with high quality results (e.g., high grades, student awards, peer-reviewed publications); (ii) ability to run large-enrolment courses and provide high-volume supervision of individual projects; (iii) experience with modern education techniques; (iv) experience supervising Ph.D. projects
• Experience with grant writing, acquisition, and related project management and supervision, or good prospects toward these within six months after hiring
• The following give a plus on the valorization/societal impact side: (i) published and managed open science artefacts, software and/or data, etc.; (ii) You have published and managed open education artefacts, open-access slides, lecture notes, etc.
• You have good interpersonal communication skills
• You have an excellent command of the English language
• The following give a plus on the organization/leadership side: (i) broad international network or clear plans to develop one within a year of hiring; (ii) broad national and/or international experience, commensurate with the academic age, as also indicated by invitation to events such as Dagstuhl Seminars, selection for community service, etc.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

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 € 4.537,00 (Scale 11) and maximum € 6.209,00 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Asisstant Professor. 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 including two months’ probation. 15 Months after the starting date, your performance will be evaluated. After a successful evaluation, permanent employment will be granted.

We offer a Tenure Track/Career Track position at the level of Assistant Professor. A career plan to grow from Assistant Professor lv. 2 (profile Universitair Docent 2, salary scale 11) to Assistant Professor lv. 1 (profile Universitair Docent 1, salary scale 12) will be made and formalized in a tailored Tenure Track/Career Track agreement. (with specific performance indicators).

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
• contribution to commuting expenses
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• good paid parental leave arrangement
• the possibility to work partly from home (hybrid working)
• on campus child daycare, sport facilities, family support programs including: dual career workshops, Dutch language class, tax & insurance workshop (some might have additional costs)
• certain tax benefits (30% ruling) might apply to international candidates
• help and assistance with relocation (international candidates)

Research group: Massivizing Computer Systems
This candidate will be embedded in the Massivizing Computer Systems (MCS) group, which focuses on research in distributed computing systems and ecosystems, and currently spans over 40 diverse people, of which three staff – with you, four. The group aims to contribute to solving high-challenge, high-impact scientific and societal challenges, and has much international and national visibility in research and education in computing systems. The group chair, Prof.dr.ir. Cav. Iosup, has received prestigious national and international awards for both research and education, has been inducted in the (Young) Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, and has been knighted for services to science and community; the other staff members are young, talented, and humane. The MCS group has a central role in organizing the national and international computer systems communities, and has played leading roles in organizing top-tier conferences (e.g., HPDC, ICPE, CCGRID) and journals (e.g., IEEE TPDS). The group is involved in a leading role in the 6G FNS project (2024-2030), the largest project in computer systems and networking in the history of the Netherlands. The MCS group publishes in high-quality conferences, journals, and magazines, and has an outsized presence in conducting grand experiments and in releasing FAIR data and software artifacts. The group has long-lasting links with national and international organizations, and plays a leading role in international academic-industrial partnerships, such as the SPEC Research Group. Last, but not least, the MCS group has a sustained and leading presence in developing young, diverse talent through individual supervision and embedding in large, cross-disciplinary, international teams.

The department of Computer Science has approximately 170 staff members, including 35 tenured staff and approximately 90 Ph.D. students. Much of the research with the department is embedded in the Network Institute of Vrije Universiteit, covering beyond Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence disciplines such as Social Sciences, Humanities, and Economics. The Department also actively participates in Amsterdam Data Science, a collaboration between more than 600 data science researchers from different institutions in Amsterdam. The department has a nationally and internationally visible scientific presence and impact, e.g., in computer systems, software engineering, AI/ML, bioinformatics.

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

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.