The Els Koffeman Postdoctoral Fellowship is designed to launch excellent researchers from underrepresented groups into faculty positions in the Netherlands or abroad. The fellowship is open to researchers in all fields of experimental and theoretical physics.

At the Institute of Physics (IoP) at the University of Amsterdam, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, both of which are key for excellent physics research. We are committed to equality of opportunity, being fair and inclusive, and being a place where all belong. The Els Koffeman Postdoctoral Fellowship is intended for candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in our workforce at the faculty level.

The Els Koffeman Postdoctoral Fellowship is a prestigious personal grant that supports postdocs conducting their own high-quality research at the Institute of Physics (IoP). We are looking for experienced researchers with above-average qualifications who can conduct their research independently. As an Els Koffeman fellow, your main task is to perform research in a physics topic of your choice. You will be embedded in one of the subgroups of IoP but are encouraged to form a bridge between various groups. We highly value mentorship and collaboration, and you will have the opportunity to contribute to the guidance and supervision of Ph.D., Master's, and Bachelor students. The fellowship includes a budget of 10k Euro per year to support your scientific activities.

We are looking for applicants from all subfields of experimental and theoretical physics. The research profile of the IoP is very broad, ranging from string theory to astroparticle physics to biophysics. In your application, please list the names of up to three IoP faculty members with whom you would be interested in working.

Your experience and profile:

• PhD in Physics or closely related field
• Committed researcher, as demonstrated by publications in international refereed journals
• The IoP Els Koffeman Postdoctoral Fellowships are intended for candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in our workforce at the faculty level. These include people from minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, and women.

About the Els Koffeman Postdoctoral Fellowship
Prof. Els Koffeman was appointed in 2017 as the first ever female full professor in the Institute of Physics on the chair Instrumentation in Particle Physics. She made major contributions to particle physics, most notably to the development of the KM3NeT neutrino detector in which UvA participates through its involvement in the Nikhef collaboration. A few years ago, Els unfortunately had to step down from her chair due to long-term illness. The fellowship in her name is aimed at perpetuating the impact and inspiration she brought to the field. Els commented that “Although it is important to stress women do not form a minority, it is unfortunately still very hard to make a career in the academic world. For individuals belonging to a minority this is even harder. To arrive at a more even representation this fellowship is being proposed.”

Our offer
We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 3 years. The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,345 to € 5,278. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

About the UvA Institute of Physics
The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?
Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Ben Freivogel (b.w.freivogel@uva.nl), member of Diversity and Inclusion Council, for scientific questions
• Joost van Mameren (j.vanmameren@uva.nl), institute manager, for other questions

Job application
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. We accept applications until and including 8 November 2024. Applications should include the following information:

• CV
• Cover letter
• Research statement (max 2 pages) including the names of up to three IoP faculty members who you would be interested in working with. A list of all faculty members can be found here.
• A diversity statement (max 2 pages). You can for example write about how your (diverse) background has impacted your career so far, how you initiated or participated in diversity and inclusion activities in the past, or how you see yourself contributing to diversity activities in IoP.
• The names and email addresses of three references who can provide letters of recommendation in a later stage of the procedure.

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered. We are collecting applications through the application form at Academic Jobs Online via this link. Please apply through that form and do not use the 'apply now' button on this page.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.