Job description
We are looking for a Professor who has a distinguished international academic profile and a proven track record of excellent scholarship within the social sciences, with particular expertise on the sociology of ageing. The appointee is expected to combine research with teaching, societal impact and management activities. The Vrije Universiteit works with career paths in the domains of research, education, and valorization. A professor is expected to excel in one of these core tasks of the university. We want to fill this chair with a professor who has a research profile. To fulfil the requirements of the position, the successful applicant is expected to be physically present on a regular basis, to actively participate in the research activities of the department, to contribute to teaching, societal impact and management tasks, and to establish and maintain broad links across the Faculty, University and societal stakeholders. The professor is expected to play an active substantive role within the Social Context of Ageing (SoCA) program of the department and within the interfaculty consortium of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA).

Your tasks

• conducting quantitative or mixed-method research at high international standards of quality, including high impact publishing and contributing to societal impact
• contributing to the continuation of LASA by acquiring external funding for financing research with the LASA infrastructure
• supervising PhD students who are involved in the FSS Graduate School of Social Sciences
• teaching in the Dutch-language undergraduate and graduate curricula of the Department of Sociology (SOC) and to English-language teaching of the faculty research master Social Sciences for a Digital Society
• actively promoting the academic reputation of the department by leading in international research co-operation, delivering keynotes, reviewing and editing for top academic journals in the field
• actively participating in the LASA consortium, by attending LASA team meetings and participating in interdisciplinary collaborative research projects within the consortium
• contributing to the work and life of the department

Requirements

• a PhD in Social Sciences
• an outstanding and inspirational research vision and a strong reputation in the international scientific community of this research topic, as evidenced by successful engagement with (inter-)national networks and collaborative research projects
• the proven leadership or ambition in (co-)creating societal impact and proven ability to engage with societal stakeholders
• a track record in successfully obtaining national and international research grants and other external funding from societal partners
• research leadership as evidenced by significant contributions to establishing and leading research groups and engagement in mentoring of early career researchers
• excellent publications record within the DORA guidelines, and a portfolio of societally relevant research projects that show a clear affinity with research on ageing and that link to one or more topics in the department's SoCA programme. This could include research on social networks of older adults, loneliness, societal participation including work, voluntary work and/or informal care, or other subjects falling under the heading of social ageing research
• proficiency in quantitative methodological research skills and longitudinal analyses. This may also be as part of mixed-method research experience
• demonstrable management experience in complex academic organizations, as well as proven social, organizational and management skills in teaching and research
• a vision for and experience with developing innovative teaching methods and a good performance in the design and delivery of education at undergraduate and graduate education levels
• a proven ability to successfully recruit and supervise PhD students
• ability to teach in the Dutch language at short notice

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 salary of minimum € 6.648,00 (H2) and maximum € 9.680,00 (H2) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Professor 2. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 18 months. Afterwards, there is a prospect of a permanent contract.

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)
• possibility to save holiday hours, for sabbatical leave
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

About the department
The department of Sociology hosts over 50 fte of academic staff and organizes the bachelor and master education in sociology, as well as courses in methodology in social sciences at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Our bachelor program includes transdisciplinary courses in which students learn from involvement with societal stakeholders. Education in the methodology of social sciences is also undergoing a series of innovations to meet the new challenges of working with big and small data. The Bachelor and Master programs in Sociology deal with the themes of diversity, social inequality, social networks and social capital, social entrepreneurship. The research of the department is organized in the research program Participation in Society (PARIS) that includes five theme groups: ‘Social Context of Aging’, ‘Social Inequality in the Lifecourse’, ‘Identities, Diversity and Inclusion’, ‘Social Conflict and Change’ en ‘Philanthropic Studies’.

Faculty of Social Sciences
At the Faculty of Social Sciences we examine the major social issues facing us today from a variety of critical perspectives. We combine sociology, anthropology, political science, communication science, administration and organisation. Because there aren’t any ready-made solutions to the complex social issues of today. They demand a multidisciplinary approach. Working together with others helps you expand your mind, come to new ways of understanding and devise creative solutions.

Are you interested in joining Social Sciences? That means working with a team of colleagues from different disciplines in an inspiring work and study climate. Enjoy working in a professional organisation with an informal atmosphere, where we give you space for personal development. FSS employs over 350 staff members and enrols around 3,000 students.

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 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 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.