Assistant/Associate professor in Quantitative Ecology (0.8-1.0 fte)

The Faculty of Science and Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) are looking for:
Assistant/Associate professor in Quantitative Ecology (0.8-1.0 fte)
Vacancy number: 14846

Key responsibilities
Leiden University's Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) is inviting applicants for a faculty position in theoretical, computational, or quantitative ecology (assistant or associate professor level). CML aims to take the lead in addressing critical environmental challenges of the coming century. With a dedicated focus on five interlinked areas - biodiversity, food, water, resources, and urban systems - our research groups are advancing scientific insights and practical solutions to sustain Earth's biodiversity, ensure a stable supply of food and clean water, and develop sustainable and nature-inclusive cities.

We seek an innovative and productive scientist who employs methods such as modeling, computational analysis, or other mathematical techniques to explore fundamental ecological topics. We welcome expertise in one or more of the domains such as population, community, ecosystem dynamics, ecophysiology, evolutionary ecology, disease ecology, spatial modeling, or integrative modelling on data from a variety of sources (e.g. remote sensing, eDNA, meteorology). While the focus of research and study system is flexible, the ideal candidate should clearly demonstrate how their work compliments the institute’s five strategic research themes (mentioned above), as well as with current staff members.

The successful candidate will be part of the Department of Environmental Biology (EB), which is dedicated to deepening scientific knowledge on how anthropogenic threats influence biodiversity and ecosystem services. Current members of EB are working on a wide variety of topics such as biodiversity, ecotoxicology, soil microbiology, molecular and evolutionary ecology, urban ecology, spatial epidemiology, ecosystem services and forest dynamics. Hence, this position offers a unique opportunity to forge your own research path, by leveraging the rich expertise of our department to make a meaningful contribution to environmental science and society.

At CML we aim to excel in our roles as scientists as well as educators. We expect that about 40% of your responsibilities will be related to teaching, 40% related to research, and 20% on other tasks. Therefore, the successful candidate is also passionate about providing high quality education, often involving small-groups of students with the goal to stimulate critical thinking. ,The successful candidate will take responsibility for course development, practical’s, and thesis supervision wwithin the MSc and Bsc programmes/courses taught by CML. Teaching activities will include teaching in interdisciplinary and monodisciplinary education programs at both BSc and MSc level (e.g. BSc Science for Sustainable Societies, BSc/MSc Biology, MSc Governance of Sustainability). This will include coordination of courses and regular teaching tasks (including moderating/supervising work groups, assessing, and providing feedback on assessments) as well as mentoring students as they develop personally and professionally during their BSc and MSc studies.

The following links provide information about the different programs you might be involved in:

BSc Biology: Biologie (Bachelor 2023-2024) - Studiegids - Universiteit Leiden
MSc Biology: https://studiegids.universiteitleiden.nl/studies/8401/biology-general-biology-programme-no-research-specialisation#tab-1
MSc Governance of Sustainability:https://studiegids.universiteitleiden.nl/studies/8769/governance-of-sustainability#tab-1

From 2025 onwards we have a new BSc program called Science for Sustainable Societies.
We, therefore, seek candidates that have a passion for research and teaching, who are team players and who can demonstrate how they can also use the institute as a springboard to develop their own research line.

Key tasks:

• In collaboration with CML colleagues, study quantitative process-based or theoretical ecology that complements CML’s existing research
• Contribute to acquisition of research grants
• Develop and teach courses within CML’s educational programs related to environmental biology (e.g. biodiversity, environmental toxicology, ecology).
• Supervise BSc. and MSc. students in their thesis work, and PhD students in their projects.

Selection criteria

• Team player and a collaborative attitude.
• A PhD in a relevant field, with a successful track record in publishing on theoretical or computational topics within the environmental sciences.
• Proven statistical skills or strong modelling related to either ecological modelling, spatial explicit modelling or process-based models.
• Proven teaching skills, preferably in interdisciplinary programmes and using different teaching approaches, from large scale lectures, to small scale discussing based seminars
• A University Teaching Qualification (UTQ; BKO in Dutch), or the willingness to attain this within two years
• Has a demonstrated ability for successful acquisition, or a clear potential to develop good acquisition capabilities
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and good communication skills
• Proficient in Dutch or is willing to learn Dutch within 2 years at B-level.

Our organization
The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programs. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and almost 5,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.

The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) is positioned in the Faculty of Sciences. The core focus of CML is to perform research and education in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Sciences. CML focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of natural capital and biodiversity. CML has a culture of mutual support and collaboration between researchers. CML has two Departments: Industrial Ecology (CML-IE) and Environmental Biology (CML-EB). Presently, about 140 fte (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at CML. CML further collaborates with TU Delft and Erasmus University in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability (LDE-CfS), Naturalis Biodiversity Centre.
For more information, see www.science.leidenuniv.nl. Information about CML can be found at www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/environmental-sciences
Terms and conditions
We offer a 1 year term position. In case of good performance the contract will be changed into a permanent position after this period. The salary range for Assistant professors is from € 4332,- to €6737,- gross per month depending on qualifications and previous experience (pay scale 11 or 12 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). For Associate professors the salary ranges from €6002,- to €8025,- gross per month (pay scale 13 or 14 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set-up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.
Diversity
Leiden University and CML are strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. We give full support to our staff in achieving their potential to become independent academic researchers and teachers. For more information about our policy on diversity and equality please go to the diversity page on our website. Female researchers are also welcomed to join the Researchers In Science for Equality network of the Faculty if Science (rise.nu).
Information
Enquiries can be made to Dr. Krijn Trimbos (trimbos@cml.leidenuniv.nl) or Dr. Marco Visser (m.d.visser@cml.leidenuniv.nl) or sollicitaties@cml.leidenuniv.nl for general questions.
Applications
Please submit your application via the online recruitment system, via the blue button at the top or bottom of this page. Applications received via e-mail will not be taken into consideration. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number.

• CV
• A motivation letter
• A research statement and teaching statement (together between 1 and 2 pages max)

Only applications received before the 2nd of June will be considered. First round interviews will take place between June 10-12th, second round interviews will take place between 1 and 5 July. You are kindly requested to be available at these dates.