[ES_JOBS_NET] Tenure Track position in Stable Isotope Geochemistry, VU University Amsterdam

[Christine Wiedinmyer]

Tenure Track position in Stable Isotope Geochemistry

Fte: 1.0
VU unit: Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Department of Earth Sciences
Vacancy number: 15380
Closing date: January 29th 2016

VU University Amsterdam is one of the leading institutions for higher 
education in Europe and aims to be inspiring, innovative, and committed 
to societal welfare. It comprises ten faculties and has teaching 
facilities for 23,000 students.

The Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences (FALW) offers a range of Bachelor 
and Master programmes. Research and focuses on the fields of the life-, 
health-, environmental and Earth sciences. World-class teaching and 
cutting-edge research activities go hand in hand. FALW works together 
with other faculties like medicine, exact sciences, economics, 
psychology and social sciences. The faculty's research facilities are 
excellent and fosters cross-border collaboration, leading to 
substantially improved quality and greater impact of our research results.

The Department of Earth Sciences is one of the eight departments in 
FALW. It operates with two research clusters: 'Earth and Climate' and 
'Geology and Geochemistry'. The Department hosts a number of excellent, 
state-of-the-art analytical and experimental labs, and teaches parts of 
Earth Science BSc and MSc programmes. The Geology and Geochemistry 
cluster hosts and manages a large Stable Isotope facility that includes 
3 Thermo-Finnigan gas source mass spectrometers and associated 
peripherals (Flash EA, TC/EA, Kiel device, GasBench) and 3 Picarro 
instruments (one L2140i, and two G2201i (one equipped with an OI Aurora 
TOC analyser). The cluster seeks a highly motivated full-time assistant 
professor to lead the multi-disciplinary research undertaken in the 
Stable Isotope Laboratory.

Tasks

The primary roles of the successful candidate will be the overall 
responsibility for management of the stable isotope facility (H, C, N, O 
on carbonates, organic and water samples) and to conduct research in 
stable isotope geochemistry in several of the following areas: 
palaeoclimatology, sedimentology-fluid flow-diagenesis, 
astrobiology-extremophile studies, archaeology-forensic science, 
ecology-palaeontology and environmental science. The Isotope Laboratory 
operates with the assistance of three part-time support staff, and there 
is excellent technical support from electronic and mechanical workshops 
and a vacuum engineer. Effective management of time and resources, and 
good people/leadership skills are essential attributes of the successful 
candidate for this position, in addition to technical expertise. The 
candidate will be encouraged to develop a largely externally funded 
research programme in her/his field of science and contribute to BSc and 
MSc courses in stable isotope geochemistry and sedimentary systems as 
well as field courses. On the longer term, the successful candidate is 
expected to build up a successful group around his/her field of expertise.

Requirements

We offer a challenging position to an Earth Scientist with a PhD in 
stable isotope geochemistry with a broad research interest capable of 
developing their own research line and collaborating within a dynamic 
Earth Science department. The candidate should have a strong publication 
record and a track record of generating independent funding. Experience 
in use, maintenance and development of isotope mass 
spectrometers/analytical equipment is essential together with knowledge 
of innovative development in stable isotope research. Good oral and 
written communication skills are required as is the ability to 
supervise/mentor students and visiting scientists.

Further particulars

The position is available from February 1 2016 onwards. We offer a 
tenure track position, initially for the duration of 5 years. After 1 
and 3 years the performance will be evaluated in terms of publication 
record, acquisition of personal grants or equivalent industry project 
funding, and teaching performance. After that a path will be outlined 
for future promotions and permanent employment.

You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of 
employment at www.working at vu.nl:

remuneration of 8.3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance
solid pension scheme (ABP);
a minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment;
Salary

The starting salary depends on the experience and qualifications and 
will be commensurate with university regulations for academic personnel. 
It ranges from € 3366 gross per month (salary scale 11) up to a maximum 
of € 4608 (salary scale 11.11), based on full-time employment.

Information

For additional information please contact:

Prof. dr. John Reijmer and/or Prof. dr. Gareth Davies
E-mails: j.j.g.reijmer at vu.nl, g.r.davies at vu.nl
Website: www.falw.vu.nl
Application

Applicants should submit a complete resume, list of publications, a 
statement of research interest and motivation for the application, and 
the names and contact information of two professional references, by 
email to: Mrs. Fenny Bosse: f.bosse at vu.nl. Please mention the vacancy 
number in the email header. Deadline for applications is January 29th 2016.