Chair in Foundations of Sustainability

The Faculty of Geosciences aims to be a world leader in disciplinary as well as inter- and transdisciplinary research and education in the Earth system and sustainability domain and in connection with societal partners. The strategic plan for 2025 states that sustainability will be the central priority and overarching theme for our education and research in the coming years. Will you contribute to this as the Chair Foundations of Sustainability?

Your job
With the establishment of the Chair Foundations of Sustainability, the faculty intends to further strengthen sustainability research and education by critically analysing and providing an understanding of sustainability science, including its history, positioning and key normative principles and perspectives. It will be a full-time professorship situated in the Department of Sustainable Development, also known as the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. You will contribute to the Utrecht University’s Strategic Themes Pathways to Sustainability and Institutions for Open Societies.

The study of the Foundations of Sustainability has become increasingly crucial in an era marked by unprecedented sustainability challenges. As human activities continue to shape the planet in profound ways, there is a growing need to critically examine the foundations of our understanding of nature, society, and their complex interactions. The sustainability crisis does not only pose various societal challenges, but also puts into question the very ontology, epistemology and ethics that much of sustainability scholarship has been founded upon in the past. This professorship in Foundations of Sustainability explores the relations between knowledge and values as well as their expression in our understanding of the relationship between humans and nature and in the institutional interplay of science and politics.

This new chair will focus on developing and teaching a robust framework for Foundations of Sustainability that encompasses epistemological, ethical and practical dimensions. At its core, this approach recognises that our understanding of environmental issues is shaped not only by scientific data but also by cultural values, historical contexts, and diverse knowledge systems. By examining the foundations of environmental knowledge and environmental ethics, and their practical applications, we aim to better navigate the complex landscape of sustainability and justice in what some now call the Anthropocene.

The chairholder is expected to contribute to current academic and societal debates on sustainability transitions, just transitions, and environmental ethics, to the rethinking of the role of academia in finding pathways to sustainable futures, and to the development of innovative approaches to environmental education. This position will complement existing chairs in the department by providing historical and philosophical foundations that enhance interdisciplinary dialogue and research.

The main teaching focus for this chair in the first years is to contribute to and to redevelop educational sustainability programmes with the aim to strengthen the theoretical foundations of the study of socio-ecological relationships and to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical applications.

You bring the following qualifications:

• You have a PhD and proven research expertise in foundations of sustainability with a disciplinary background in Philosophy, Ethics, History, Science and Technology Studies, Political Science or a related discipline.
• You have strong social, organisational and strategic leadership skills evidenced by an inspiring vision on teaching and research. You are experienced in setting out a clear vision together with a team.
• You have extensive experience in teaching at different levels (Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programmes) with significant contributions to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching.
• You have the teaching leadership skills required to organise, provide and develop teaching programmes that enable students to achieve their potential.
• You can demonstrate problem- and theory-guided research achievements by a publication record of high quality and evidence of research and impact outputs which are consistently recognised as internationally outstanding.
• You have contributed significantly to the development of research proposals, especially for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, and you have contributed to acquiring grants.
• You have experience in cooperating with partners outside academia in teaching, research and impact activities.
• You have a proven record in creating synergies within a group of staff by working together across the boundaries of your own team, department, discipline or organisational unit.
• You show sensitivity to intercultural collegial environment, ensuring social safety.

• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €6,963 and €10,138 (salary scale H2 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development wants to have a positive impact on the transition to a sustainable society, which includes strengthening risk regulation regimes for chemicals and pharmaceuticals and reducing the need for the use of laboratory animals. We do this by developing excellent and relevant knowledge in interdisciplinary teams and by educating the change agents of the future. The Copernicus Institute has had an excellent research evaluation in 2021 and the institute takes pride in maintaining its leading position in national and international sustainability research, and by developing new, internationally oriented teaching programmes. We believe in a balance between individual and collective achievements and stimulate inclusive leadership at all levels.

For more information, please contact Professor Koen Frenken at K.Frenken@uu.nl or Professor Karin Rebel at K.T.Rebel@uu.nl.

We provide the selected candidate with a tailor-made development assessment based on the Utrecht University leadership profile. This assessment will properly visualise your full potential and present you an advice and strategy that helps you further develop your academic career.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send the following documents using the 'apply now' button:

• your motivation letter, addressing suitability against the TRIPLE requirements;
• your full curriculum vitae including a publication list.

The first round of interviews will take place on June 18. The second round will take place in person on July 3.

If invited to the second round, candidates will be asked to provide the names and contact details of three external contacts who may be asked to provide a reference letter.