Are you an energetic female researcher in software architecture and related fields, and do you want to contribute to shaping the future of software intensive systems by making them sustainability-aware? Then Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam would like to get to know you.

The Computer Science Department of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam greatly values the contributions of female scientists in research and education. For this reason, we have started our prestigious recruitment program for talented women, named after the “first computer programmer” Ada Lovelace (1815-1852).

Recognizing the growing digital nature of society and the critical role of software in supporting sustainable digitalization, the Department of Computer Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam seeks an assistant professor to develop a strong research profile in software architecture (SA) and contribute to our computer science and information sciences education programs.

The candidate will have the opportunity to develop their research program across a wide spectrum of software architecture (SA) topics. Potential areas of focus include methods for informed design decision-making, software quality measurement and monitoring, sustainability and quality aspects relevant to architecture, sustainable architectures, and architecting for sustainability, as well as continuous architecting.

In addition to personal research, the new position includes teaching opportunities in various topics related to SA in the Computer Science and Information Sciences educational programs.

We are particularly interested in attracting an academic team player who will collaborate with other researchers in the Software and Sustainability (S2) research group, and work with other research groups to establish new research synergies. We provide targeted funding for supporting such new collaborations.

Your duties
The position is open for female candidates on the assistant professor level; the position include research, education and management (40%:40%:20%), and contain amongst others the following responsibilities:

• we seek an energetic and synergetic colleague who is eager to shape and lead their own research program in a field related to Software Architecture
• candidates will build an active national and international network in their field
• candidates will contribute to teaching in our bachelor and master programs by contributing to 2-3 courses within the area of SA/Software Engineering, as well as in the supervision of bachelor and master thesis projects. The candidate will be encouraged and supported to further improving their education/teaching skills
• where relevant, we encourage collaboration between the existing groups in the department

Because we target gender balance in our department, this position is opened in the context of the Lovelace Fellowship Programme (more info at Lovelace Fellowship).

• a PhD degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field
• an international research profile demonstrated by publications in relevant journals and conferences
• academic teaching experience including experience in the supervision of BSc and MSc theses
• some experience in the (co-)supervision of PhD students, and in attracting research funding
• good interpersonal communication and synergetic skills

If you apply for the assistant professor level position, we expect you are a talented postdoc with an excellent publication record and some daily PhD supervision experience. If your experience is at the associate professor level and feel your expertise matches the above description seamlessly, you are also welcome to apply. In that case we are looking for an SA researcher with proven experience in obtaining research grants and who has been (co)supervisor of already-graduated PhD students.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• A challenging position in a socially involved organization. On a full-time basis the remuneration for the assistant professor level, the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of € 4.332 (scale 11) and a maximum € 5.929 (scale 11), again depending on your education and experience. The associate professor level amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of € 6.002 (scale 13) and a maximum € 7.305 (scale 13), depending on your education and experience.

This is a career track position; the initial appointment will be for a period of 1.5 years, which will be turned into a tenured position after the initial period, if the performance indicators agreed at the start of the appointment are met.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• good paid parental leave arrangement
• the possibility to work partly from home (hybrid working)
• on campus child daycare, sport facilities, family support programs including: dual career workshops, Dutch language class, tax & insurance workshop (some might have additional costs)
• certain tax benefits (30% ruling) might apply to international candidates
• help and assistance with relocation (international candidates)

Startup package
For this position we offer a startup package that includes a PhD position under joint supervision and sufficient bench-fees. We also offer a dedicated leadership mentoring programme that includes:

• leadership training
• regular meetings with senior leadership in our university (Rector and Dean of Faculty of Science)
• meetings with senior female role models in academia and industry
• support for participation in https://women.acm.org celebrations
• and a mentor of your own choosing from either/both our department and university mentoring programs

We are actively committed to creating a workplace where issues of equality, diversity and inclusion are at the forefront. In particular, our faculty is very active in defining and pursuing initiatives via our VU wo&men network.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

About the department

The department of Computer Science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is a leading European research and teaching institution with a broad range of academic programs within CS. We currently have about 180 faculty members and over 90 PhD students. The research sections (see https://vu.nl/en/about-vu/faculties/faculty-of-science/departments/computer-science) in the Computer Science Department are: Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Computer Systems and Security, Sustainable Digital Society, and Theoretical Computer Science.

Much of the research with the department is embedded in two interdisciplinary, inter-faculty Institutes of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Network Institute and the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute. The Department has also recently started the Digital Sustainability Center (DISC) which is especially relevant for this position as it can help accelerate collaboration and synergy among research, industrial practice and education in related topics.

This position aims to strengthen the collaboration in and beyond the Software and Sustainability (S2) research group of the Sustainable Digital Society section. As such, the successful candidate will have the opportunity and support to strengthen existing research areas, or start new complementary areas. The group culture is constructive and collaborative, with special attention to human values, personal growth and research excellence.

Further, the department explicitly encourages inter- and cross-disciplinary research, and encourages successful candidates to collaborate with colleagues in other fields of Computer Science, as well as with colleagues from other disciplines such as those participating in the Network Institute, the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute and in the Digital Sustainability Center.

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely. - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 5,500 staff work at the VU and over 30,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of the VU. The VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.