Assistant Professor in Analytics and Optimization

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam seeks a researcher in the broad area of Operations Research. The role emphasizes developing an independent research program, fostering collaborations with industry, and teaching across Mathematics and Business Analytics.

You will contribute to professional education and lead initiatives within an inclusive, international department. The position starts by 1 September 2027 or earlier, with an 18‑month assistant professor appointment that may become permanent, and a

Qualifications

• PhD in mathematics / operations research, preferably with postdoctoral experience.
• Strong research record in Operations Research, with potential for an independent research programme.
• Motivated to build lasting relationships with companies and external organisations; collaboration experience is an advantage.
• Effective teaching with interest in education for both academic and professional audiences.
• Good communication and execution skills.
• Fluent in English.
• Basic teaching qualification (BKO) or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Develop an independent research line in Operations Research.
• Initiate and develop collaborations with companies and external organisations, including joint research projects and contract research.
• Contribute to development and delivery of professional education translating research methods into learning experiences for professionals.
• Teach and supervise students at undergraduate and graduate level, within Mathematics and Business Analytics and beyond.
• Show academic leadership nationally and internationally and contribute to the department and wider scholarly community.

Skills

Independent research

Industry collaborations

Teaching & supervision

Communication skills

Fluent English

Education

PhD in mathematics/operations research

Job description

Your function

We are seeking a new colleague who is passionate about scientific research and education. Our department is looking for an excellent researcher with a proven expertise in the broad area of Operations Research. We are particularly interested in candidates who have a strong scientific profile with a commitment to collaboration with industry and other external organisations. We are an inclusive, interdisciplinary group, and diversity and internationalism is at the heart of our research principles, as well as our teaching practice.

An important part of this position is to connect our expertise with audiences and partners beyond the Department of Mathematics. This includes developing research collaborations and contract research with companies and other organisations, contributing to professional education, and teaching students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. We welcome candidates whose research advances the foundations or methodology of Operations Research and who are motivated to translate their expertise into meaningful applications, education and partnerships.

The preferred starting date is 1 September 2027 or earlier.

Applications from all groups currently under-represented in academic posts are especially encouraged. We particularly welcome applications from women and people with an ethnic minority background.

Your duties

• you develop an independent research line in Operations Research
• you initiate and develop collaborations with companies and other external organisations, including joint research projects, externally funded proposals and contract research
• you contribute to the development and delivery of professional education within our lifelong learning programmes, translating our researchmethods into learning experiences relevant to professionals
• you teach and supervise students at undergraduate and graduate level, both within Mathematics and Business Analytics and in programmes beyond these disciplines
• you show academic leadership, nationally and internationally, and contribute to departmental activities and the wider academic community.

Your profile

• you have a PhD in mathematics / operations research, preferably with a few years of postdoctoral experience
• you have a strong research record in Operations Research, appropriate to your career stage, demonstrating scientific quality, originality and potential for an independent research programme
• you are motivated to build lasting relationships with companies and other external organisations and to develop collaborative research opportunities. Relevant experience is an advantage
• you are an effective teacher, with an interest in developing education for both academic and professional audiences
• you have good communication and execution skills
• you are fluent in English
• you have a basic teaching qualification (‘BKO’), as required by Dutch universities, or equivalent. If not, you are willing to obtain this qualification

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The appointment of Assistant Professor is initially for 18 months and leads into a permanent contract. After a positive evaluation at the end of the first year, based on transparent criteria, the initial contract will be converted to a permanent position. Furthermore, a 5-year career track from Assistant Professor 2 (scale 11; UD2) to Assistant Professor 1 (scale 12; UD1) is offered.

Based on full-time employment, and depending on experience, the gross monthly salary ranges from €4.925,00 to €7.573,00 in accordance with Dutch academic salary scales 11, or 12. The job profile (Assistant professor or “Universitair docent”) is based on the Dutch university job ranking system and the position is available for 0.8-1.0 FTE.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• good paid parental leave scheme
• flexible working hours

About us

The Department of Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics strives for excellence in research. The department balances pure mathematical research with mathematical research motivated by applications. Researchers in the department are on one hand active at a fundamental and theoretical level, and, on the other hand, work on applications with links to business, the sciences, and societal issues. The department has a strong international research staff with expertise in dynamical systems, topology, geometry and algebra, as well as in stochastics (statistics, data analytics, probability).

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 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. 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.