VU University (VU) in Amsterdam

Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences

£25,000 - £29,000 per annum
Based in Swindon*

The Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences of the VU University (VU) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has a vacancy for a:

Tenured position at the Institute for Geo- and Bioarchaeology (IGBA) and the interfacultary Research Institute for the Heritage and History of the Cultural Landscape and Urban Environment (CLUE)

For 0,8 or 1,0 fte

Vacancy number 1.2008.00094

This new chair is a joined initiative of the Institute for Geo- and Bioarchaeology (IGBA) and the Research Institute for the Heritage and History of the Cultural Landscape and Urban Environment (CLUE). The chair will be established within the Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences and has to strengthen the co-operation between science and the humanities.

The missions of the Institute for Geo- and Bioarchaeology are: (i) the execution of strong and internationally competitive research programs in Archaeometry and Landscape Archaeology and (ii) the provision of excellent training at the bachelor, master and postgraduate levels in both fields. The new professor will be the figure-head for both the educational and research program in Landscape Archaeology of the Institute.

IGBA participates in the Research Institute for the Heritage and History of the Cultural Landscape and Urban Environment. This recently founded broad-based research centre is carried by the Faculty of Arts, and supported by the Faculties of Earth and Life Sciences, Economics and the Social Sciences with strong endorsement from the University Board. The main mission of CLUE is cultural heritage research based on a platform of inter- and multidisciplinary science between various institutes and departments at and outside VU University. CLUE is rapidly expanding as a result of university and grant-based funding. CLUE is one of the ways in which VU University: (i) propagates inter- to multidisciplinary co-operation between faculties and (ii) focuses on the relation between academia and society. The professor to be appointed will play a prominent role in this new institute.

Tasks

The new professor is expected to co-ordinate and to streamline education and research activities between the culturally orientated archaeology at the Faculty of Arts and the natural science approach of IGBA at the Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences. She/he will furthermore strengthen landscape orientations in the training courses of Heritage Studies and those of the bachelor program Aarde en Economie (Earth and Economics). She/he is also expected to develop a challenging and scientifically excellent interdisciplinary research program which is based on research funding within national (NWO) and international (European) frameworks, but will also be active in consultancy for heritage management, landscape planning and urban developments in The Netherlands and abroad.

Anticipated activities of the full professor include:

• To evaluate and further develop the existing MSc education in Landscape Archaeology at the interface of Arts and Science, with a strong appeal to foreign students;
• to provide education at both bachelor and master levels in landscape archaeology and historical geography at the Faculties of Earth and Life Science and of Arts;
• to initiate and co-ordinate fieldwork projects in Landscape Archaeology for master students within different geographical and archaeological settings in Europe;
• to contribute to the development of unifying concepts in European landscape archaeology;
• to develop new perspectives on (rural) cultural heritage resources at the interface of modern heritage management and spatial planning;
• to build a bridge between fundamental and applied research by initiating and coordinating projects based on external national and international (semi-)commercial funding;
• to perform management duties for the Institute for Geo- and Bioarchaeology.

Requirements

The applicant is expected to have (i) an outstanding, comprehensive and internationally visible academic standing, (ii) an excellent track record in innovative scientific research, (iii) excellent didactic skills and ample experience in university teaching, (iv) proven leadership and management capabilities vis-a-vis research projects, and (v) proven ability to attract research funding.

The candidate should further have the following qualifications:

• Ph.D. in any of the disciplines that support Landscape Archaeology, i.e. Physical Geography, Historical Geography or Archaeology;
• a number of years of experience as (assistant) professor or group leader;
• research experience in Landscape Archaeology;
• experience in teaching academic courses and supervising PhD students;
• experience with managing external projects.

Further details

The appointment will be for an initial duration of 1 year. After satisfactory performance the appointment will be converted to a permanent employment.

The full professor (H2) will become staff member and second in command of IGBA, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences and will participate for 0.4 fte in CLUE.

Salary and working conditions

The gross salary is determined according to the collective rules (CAO) of the Dutch Universities and ranges from € 4.803, to € 6.995, a month (salary scale H2), based on a full-time employment. We also offer a pension scheme and flexible employment conditions. You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment - including holiday allowances of 8 % per year - at http://www.vu.nl/vacatures.

Information

For more information please contact Dr. Henk Kars, Professor of Geo- and Bioarchaeology, Director of IGBA e-mail: (http://www.falw.vu.nl/igba; e-mail: henk.kars@falw.vu.nl; phone +31 (20) 59 87364), or Dr. Jan Kolen, Professor of Heritage Studies, Director of CLUE website: (http://www.clue.nu , e-mail: jca.kolen@let.vu.nl; phone +31 (20) 59 80984).

Application

Send your application (with the vacancy number on the top left side of the letter and the envelope or in the e-mail header) before May 19th 2008 to VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, attn. Dr. J.M.R.M. Neutelings, Managing Director FALW, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands, or by e-mail to: falw-vacatures@falw.vu.nl.