Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam finds it important to invest in talent. We believe that achieving excellence in education and research depends on the enthusiasm and curiosity of academics.
At VU Amsterdam we aim to offer a diverse and inclusive working environment because we believe that such an environment fosters talent and creates an innovative atmosphere. We provide support for academics at all stages of their careers. For example various talentprogrammes and research support programmes that provide assistance to researchers taking part in the NWO grant programme Innovational Research Incentives Scheme (Veni, Vidi, Vici) and in ERC grants (Starting, Consolidator, Advanced and Synergy).
To ensure that this happens, we are always working on new initiatives and ideas.
TALENT DEVELOPMENT FOR RESEARCHERS AND LECTURERS
VU Amsterdam is the perfect place for talented individuals to enhance their professional development in the areas of teaching and research. High-quality teaching and cutting-edge research have given the university a great deal of recognition, enabling VU Amsterdam to attract prominent scientists from both the Netherlands and abroad.
VU Amsterdam also puts emphasis on teaching and considers teaching as an integral part of your academic career. In addition to our focus on education, a dedicated grant desk assists you with grant applications.
The customized support it provides will help you secure grants and/or indirect funding. In addition, our training programmes offer you the opportunity for personal development:
- Leadership (from trainings for new managers to trainings in managing in education)
- Teaching (from the basic teaching qualification to blended learning or designing reliable tests and exams)
- Research (from acquiring grants, to technology transfer and media training)
VU Amsterdam is well aware that transparency is vital to your academic work. In order to achieve this, VU Amsterdam uses a system of appointment and promotion procedures. These procedures give you a clear idea of the criteria you must meet before you can progress to the next stage of your career.
VU Talentprogrammes and opportunities for talented researchers
The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) has high ambitions in academic research. The university seeks to stimulate top-quality research and to make significant, tangible contributions to solving major societal issues. This strategy requires investment in human capital and greater attention to, and recognition of, achievements of all talented scholars. That is why we offer the following opportunities:
VU Starting grant
The VU Starting grant is an individually tailored fund of €30.000,- that is granted to three talented international researchers that have joined the VU in the previous year. The purpose of the starting grant is provide the researchers with a solid basis for their career at the VU Amsterdam.
The subsidy can be spent however the laureate sees fit. Examples include investments on infrastructure and databases, equipment, appointing student assistants, attending conferences, and training/courses for personal development.
URF
The University Research Fellowship is intended for a select group of VU scientists with international stature and promising students in their bachelor or master studies. The university hereby shows its appreciation for the exceptional scientific achievements of our top scientists. They may appoint an excellent student of their choice (from the Netherlands or abroad) as their fellow. The chosen student supports the scientist for up to one year in his or her research or teaching activities.
URC
The VU University Research Chair (URC) is a selective and privileged five-year position as a full professor with exclusive terms of appointment. The aim of this chair is to recognize and reward outstanding scholars who are acknowledged by their peers as upcoming leaders in their research field. Therefore the URC is both an appointment and an honorary distinction.
URC holders testify to the quality of research at VU and are expected to advance the university’s overall research reputation.
Add-on grant
This grant aims to offer top talent at the VU, demonstrated by the allocation of an ERC Starting Grant or NWO VIDI grant, a 5% addition to their ERC or NWO grant. With this bonus VU chooses to invest in people who are recognized by peers as talent in their field.
Fenna Diemer Lindeboom Chair
VU University Amsterdam has launched the Fenna Diemer-Lindeboom (FDL) chair programme in order to promote female scientific talent on its way to the top and to address the uneven representation of female professors. Female associate professors are nominated for the FDL chair by the faculties and are appointed for a maximum period of 5 years. The FDL professor will then be offered a full professorship if she has performed successfully. The FDL chair helps faculties to identify female talent within their organization and remove the last obstacles to a full professorship.
TALENT DEVELOPMENT FOR SUPPORT STAFF AND MANAGEMENT POSITIONS
The most important task for operations management is to ensure that teaching and research run smoothly. In order to allow your talents to shine as brightly as possible, we offer a wide range of courses and training programmes for all those in operations management roles.
Manager
Are you just starting out as a manager? We offer an extensive range of courses, training programmes and workshops for both starters and experienced managers, so that you can always progress further. Examples of training programmes offered are Personal leadership, or a training on conducting job performance interviews.
Young Professional
Are you a young professional? Then you can, for instance, participate in the mentorship programme. Together with a senior colleague from another department, you will work together on your career over a ten-month period. We have also developed a limited, two-year traineeship, especially for young professionals in the area of operations management.
E-Learning
E-Learning is available for all of the employees. VU Amsterdam emphasizes the importance of employability of their employees. Therefore, VU Amsterdam offers, besides specific classroom courses direct access to more than 120 online courses. All employees can develop themselves 24/7. For example, you can follow a workshop on time management, read all about ‘working Lean and Scrum’ or upgrade your knowledge of Excel with an advanced workshop. VU E-Learning mostly offers courses in the field of soft skills and competences. They are available in several languages.