The organization

From January 2025, HFML-FELIX will become a national research institute and a partnership between seven Dutch universities and the institutes organization of the Dutch Research Council (NWO-I). Since 2012, HFML-FELIX has been a collaboration between Radboud University and NWO-I, both of whom will stay structurally involved in the new setting. We are now looking for a new director to steer this new partnership and institute through the transition, while delivering state-of-the-art technological developments and groundbreaking discoveries in high magnetic fields and intense, tunable electromagnetic radiation.

HFML-FELIX has a large-scale open-access research infrastructure that combinines high scientific, innovative and societal impact. Its mission is to perform groundbreaking research by enabling molecules and materials to be taken to the extremes of modern-day technology both in terms of (persistent) magnetic field strength and intense radiation in the infrared and terahertz (THz) range of the electromagnetic spectrum. By pushing the limits of these technologies to the extremes, researchers gain significant new insight into the nature of matter. To achieve the long-term ambition, the strategic developments are aligned with the three pillars: Discover, Innovate and Operate.

The position

As scientific and general director you are responsible for the scientific mission and national scientific programme of the institute and partnership. You report to the Governing Board of the partnership. You have a proven track record as an internationally recognized scientist in the field of molecular or materials science and are capable of running a state-of-the art large scale research infrastructure. You will work with a managing director responsible for the institute’s operational management and you can rely on a management team with representatives of the pillars Discover, Innovate and Operate.

The director also needs to connect strongly with the university partners, through the Scientific Programme Council of the partnership, and on a one-on-one basis. Expanding the contributions from the universities to the partnership in the first five years is a specific task the Governing Board of HFML-FELIX entrusts the director with. International representation is also an important part of being the institute’s director, especially as HFML-FELIX plays a national and international role within the relevant scientific disciplines as part of the National Dutch Roadmap and the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) roadmap. At the European level, HFML-FELIX is   embedded in important pan-European infrastructure networks - EMFL, LEAPS, ARIE, FELs of Europe and Laserlab Europe -, resulting in its  participation in many European projects within Horizon Europe and providing a solid basis for initiating and participating in new consortia in the future.

HFML-FELIX is one of ten NWO-I research institutes, its directors meet monthly to maintain a fruitful connection between all institutes and develop the common agenda for NWO-I.

HFML-FELIX is an organization of about 100 staff and everything revolves around connection and cooperation between people. The director plays a defining role in this forcefield. The suitable candidate actively embraces and promotes a respectful, safe and inclusive work culture and sets an example in this regard.

Candidates considered for this position will be invited for a series of interviews with a selection committee. After these interviews, the selected candidate will be proposed to the NWO-I Board which will consult the HFML-FELIX Governing Board about the intended appointment. 

Fixed-term contract: for a five-year term, after which reappointment can occur once.

The director is appointed for a five-year term, after which reappointment can occur once. For a more detailed job profile and the possibility to apply, see the website of NWO-I. The remuneration and secondary benefits are in accordance with the weight and responsibility associated with this position.

Further information on this position can be obtained from prof.dr. Jan de Boer (member of the NWO-I board, via j.deboer@uva.nl) or Barbara Evertsen, MSc (HFML-FELIX institute manager, barbara.evertsen@ru.nl). For procedural questions you can contact Henk Tamsma, head of HR at NWO-I (h.tamsma@nwo-i.nl).