The Department of Earth Sciences conducts teaching and research across the full range of the solid Earth and environmental Earth sciences, with activities in almost all areas of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, biogeology and hydrogeology. The department hosts an international tenured staff of over 40 scientists and more than 100 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. The research programs in Earth Sciences contribute strongly to Utrecht University's sustainability focus areas of Water & Climate, Energy & Resources, and Smart Materials.

The Departement of Earth Sciences is currently looking for an:

We are seeking a highly motivated and outstanding scientist from across all aspects of Paleoclimatology and Biogeology to join our multidisciplinary research group that includes specialisms in micropaleontology, vertebrate paleontology, paleobiology, modern stratigraphic methods, isotope geochemistry, the application of novel proxies for paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental studies, and climate modeling experiments of paleoclimate phenomena using models of low, intermediate or high complexity.

The successful candidate is expected to develop her/his own research in the general fields of biogeosciences, paleoenvironmental and paleoclimate studies and to conduct research with a variety of research groups in and outside the department. She/he is expected to contribute to BSc and MSc courses in the Utrecht Earth Sciences program. She/he has obtained the Basic Teaching Qualification (from Utrecht University or equivalent) or is prepared to achieve it.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate is expected to strengthen Earth Sciences' research and education in Utrecht, to develop her/his own research program and to have a proven track record or strong potential for acquiring external funding. A minimum experience as a postdoctoral researcher for 2 or 3 years is highly recommended.

Candidates should:

• have a PhD degree in natural sciences;
• be committed to interdisciplinary research;
• have strong communication and organizational skills;
• have an outstanding record of academic research, as reflected in high-quality publications;
• actively develop new lines of research in paleoclimatology/biogeology;
• have obtained the Basic Teaching Qualification (at Utrecht University or equal) or is willing to achieve this qualification in the near future;
• be an inspiring lecturer for both BSc and MSc students.

Candidates are expected to communicate easily in English, both verbally and in writing. They are expected to communicate easily in Dutch within two years of the appointment and should be able to work in a team, but independently.

Terms of employment:

The successful candidate will be offered a full-time position as an assistant-professor at the Utrecht University at first for two years. Halfway through the second year an evaluation on continuation after two years will be made. After continuation, ultimately halfway through the fourth year an assessment will be made in which it is evaluated if the position will be converted to a tenured position or will end after four years.

Employment conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities. Based on the experience and qualifications of the candidate, the gross monthly salary starts in the first year at a minimum of € 3,088.- (scale 10-6) and a maximum of € 3,872.- (scale 11-7/12-0). The salary is supplemented by a holiday allowance of 8% per year and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. We also offer a pension scheme, a health insurance allowance and flexible employment conditions. More information on our terms of employment.

Further details:

For informal enquiries, please, refer to prof.dr. Lucas Lourens at L.J.Lourens@uu.nl.

You may also wish to visit the institute's website at: http://www.geo.uu.nl/ivau.

How to apply:

Visit http://www.geo.uu.nl/vacancies, find the equivalent of this advertisement and fill in the application form. Please, attach your motivation for the position, a statement of your research and teaching interests, a curriculum vitae, and the names and contact addresses of at least two referees (with e-mail contact addresses).

Applications are accepted until the position is filled, but we prefer to receive your application before September 1, 2012. We seek to appoint as soon as possible thereafter and preferably by January 1, 2013.