Job Description 
Our department is looking for an associate professor with expertise in the social domain. Working towards robust and resilient communities is an important aspect of the transition of, and transformation within, this field. A special focus will be on what is required from professionals working in direct contact with vulnerable people in the social domain and the organisations in the field. It is explicitly intended that the research framework will take shape in close cooperation between practice and science. The research will contribute to a thorough joint picture of the foundations and guiding principles as well as possible interventions and prerequisites for achieving robust and resilient communities.

In line with the philosophy of the department, the candidate is interested in and has the ability of doing interdisciplinary research and to build collaborations with societal partners and colleagues inside and outside the department. The candidate will demonstrate academic leadership towards early stage researchers in the department. The candidate will play an important role in the development and implementation of the new master track on social work and will act as program leader of the new to be founded Academic Collaborative Center Social Domain. In all these roles, the candidate will contribute to the mission of the department of Tranzo to connect science and practice in the area of care and wellbeing, in order to enhance quality of care and quality of life, by working in co-creation with practitioners to develop and exchange knowledge.

The candidate will pursue high-quality academic research leading to strong scientific publications as well as knowledge that can be used in professional practice. The candidate should be willing to seek for external funding. The candidate will be active in presenting and discussing research with peers and will pay attention to the consequences of research and education for different stakeholders. The candidate will work in co-creation, combining different sources of knowledge (scientific knowledge and practice based knowledge of professionals and citizens) and will use different implementation strategies. 

The department offers a stimulating, supporting and positive work atmosphere in which scientists are encouraged to move beyond the state of the art in their discipline and collaborate with scientists from other disciplines, citizens, clients and societal organizations.
Candidates who meet these qualifications and recognize themselves in the description are very welcome to apply.

Tasks 
The position includes: 
•    Independently developing and supervise research activities as program leader of the Academic Collaborative Center Social Domain, where the research can be called scientifically leading and innovative, with a clear societal relevance.
•    Supervision of research assistants, science practitioners, PhD researchers, and (junior or post-doctoral) researchers, 
•    Initiating and contributing to the acquisition of research funding.
•    Publishing research results in high-quality (scientific) journals and nationally and internationally.
•    Actively sharing academic findings with society in order to maximise societal impact
•    Building and maintaining a community of stakeholders and collaboration in the Academic Collaborative Center Social Domain
•    Cocreation with professionals, other scientists and citizens with an evidence-based approach using three types of knowledge: scientific knowledge, the expertise of the professionals and of citizens.  
•    Development and implementation of the Mastertrack Social Work, with, a.o. deployment as course coordinator, as lecturer in lectures and seminars, as (co-)developer of courses and new courses offered, and as Master's thesis supervisor.
•    Participating in Departmental management tasks and School committees.

Qualifications 
•    A doctoral degree (PhD) in social sciences and/or health sciences or a related field
•    Affinity and experience with interdisciplinary and socially relevant scientific research
•    Commitment to become an active member of the Tilburg academic community
•    Demonstrated scientific integrity and experience with open science
•    Interest in mixed methods and both quantitative as qualitative research
•    Recognition in the field of social domain research, as evidenced by high-quality publications, invited lectures and/or scientific awards 
•    An interest and openness to work in an interdisciplinary environment and to participate in scientific departmental, cross-departmental activities 
•    Excellent methodological and theoretical expertise and an interest in research innovations
•    Experience in raising funds and/or experience in contract research
•    Leadership qualities to support and coach colleagues; experience with research supervision at postdoctoral and PhD level
•    Experience in building strong collaborations with societal partners and stakeholders
•    Experience with implementation strategies
•    A Dutch teaching qualification (UTQ) or willingness to obtain the UTQ within three years
•    Excellent teaching skills, as evidenced by previous teaching evaluations
•    An eagerness to fulfil managerial tasks 
•    Excellent interpersonal and strong communication skills
•    Command of the Dutch and English language, based on 'inclusion'. In this way, staff and students can participate fully in the communication at our department and campus.

Terms of employment 

This is a position for 0.8 – 1.0 FTE (32-40 hours per week) of full working hours. 

The salary amounts to a minimum of €6.002,- and a maximum of €7.305 gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile Universitair hoofddocent 2 and salary scale 13 of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system for salary scaling that is based on relevant education and work experience.

This is a vacancy for a permanent position in accordance with article 2.3 paragraph 1 of the CLA for Dutch Universities. You will be given a temporary employment contract for the duration of 12 months. After this period, if your suitability has been proven and you continue in the same position, you will receive an employment contract for an indefinite period of time. 

You are entitled to a vacation allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of your gross annual income. If you work 40 hours per week, you will receive 41 paid days of leave per year.

Tilburg University offers excellent employment conditions with attention to flexibility and (personal) development and attractive fringe benefits.
We make clear agreements about career paths and offer all kinds of facilities and arrangement to maintain an optimal balance between work and private life. You can also follow numerous training courses, for example, in the areas of leadership skills, personal effectiveness, and career development. 

All employees of the university are covered by the so-called General Pension Fund for Public Employers (Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP). Researchers from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a tax-free allowance of 30% of their taxable salary. The university applies for this allowance on their behalf. 

Tilburg University values an open and inclusive culture. We embrace diversity and encourage the mutual integration of groups of employees and students. We focus on creating equal opportunities for all our employees and students so that everyone feels at home in our university community.

Tilburg University has a lively campus in beautiful green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport. We are committed to a sustainable society and challenge you to make an active contribution.

Please visit working at Tilburg University for more information on our terms of employment.