Assistant Professor in Paleontology

Utrecht University - Faculty of Geosciences

Utrecht, Netherlands

€ 4.728 - € 6.433 per month

The Department of Earth Sciences of Utrecht University is looking for an Assistant Professor in Paleontology. As our new colleague, you will strengthen research and education in Earth Sciences and develop your own internationally recognised research line that should expand and diversify current team efforts. You will also contribute to the long-term viability of paleontology within the department.

Your job

We are looking for a paleontologist with a strong record in one or more of the following areas: vertebrate paleontology, invertebrate paleontology, conservation paleobiology, or micropaleontology. In addition, expertise in carbonate deposits would be an advantage. Successful candidates are expected to develop an independent and versatile research line, complementary to our expertise in the domains of palynology, paleobotany, stratigraphy and sedimentology. (Co-)supervision of early career scientists such as PhD candidates and postdocs is also expected. The Department of Earth Sciences offers unique opportunities for collaboration and excellent facilities for frontier research.

You will play an essential role in education by inspiring students with innovative courses in the bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes at the Department of Earth Sciences. This will include foundational Earth Scientific courses, as well as specialist courses in paleontology, paleobiology & evolution, and carbonate depositional environments. Teaching also involves supervision of BSc and MSc theses projects. The ability to contribute to our fieldwork courses, in France and Spain, is particularly valued.

On average, the Department of Earth Sciences targets at equal contributions to educational activities and research for all its tenured academic staff, resulting in (up to) 40% BSc/MSc teaching duties, 40% research, and 20% of other activities (management tasks, committee work, etc.).

Your qualities

We are looking for a strong team player with good communication and networking skills, who is focused on achieving (multidisciplinary) research targets and participating in the acquisition of funding for research projects. It is highly recommended that applicants have a minimum experience of two to three years as a postdoctoral researcher.

We seek a highly motivated candidate who holds a PhD degree in Earth Sciences or a relevant natural science. We encourage you to apply if you:

• are a recognised expert in Paleontology;
• are committed to multi- and interdisciplinary research;
• have strong communication, networking and organisational skills;
• have relevant international experience and an outstanding record of academic research, as reflected in high-quality publications;
• are willing to actively obtain research grants and actively develop new research lines;
• have strong didactic skills, enjoy teaching, and are an inspiring mentor to BSc students, MSc students and PhD candidates;
• have obtained a basic teaching qualification (at Utrecht University or equal), or are willing to obtain this qualification in the near future;
• have a keen eye for public engagement.

You are expected to have an excellent level of English, both spoken and written. We require a qualification English at C1 level (CEFR or comparable to level 3 of the Lecturer Assessment Grid) or to be prepared to obtain this level by training. For non- Dutch speaking candidates, Dutch language skills should be at the level of practical communication within two years of the appointment. Willingness to further develop this toward the ability of teaching in Dutch in the longer term is desired.