Assistant Professor position in Astronomy at Leiden Observatory

Leiden University via AcademicTransfer; Netherlands; Hybrid; EUR 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance

End-of-year bonus

ABP pension

Public transport reimbursement

Flexible leave & hours

Hybrid work possible

Home-working allowance

Job summary

Leiden Observatory at Leiden University invites applications for one or more faculty positions at the level of Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent / University Lecturer, 1.0 fte). The starting date is to be determined in consultation.

We seek outstanding scientists who will establish an independent and internationally leading research programme that complements and broadens the scientific activities of Leiden Observatory.

Qualifications

• PhD in astronomy/astrophysics/physics or closely related field.
• Excellent research record for career stage with international potential.
• Clear vision for future research and connection to Leiden Observatory.
• Ability to attract external research funding; strong teaching commitment.

Responsibilities

• Develop a strong, independent research programme and attract external funding.
• Collaborate with partners and supervise PhD students and postdocs.
• Contribute to scientific life of the Observatory and to teaching at BSc/MSc level.
• Support organisation development within the Observatory and the Faculty of Science.

Skills

Independent research leadership

Teaching & supervision

Grant funding potential

Clear communication

Collaborative mindset

Strategic vision for research

Interdisciplinary connections

Education

PhD in astronomy/astrophysics/physics

Job description

Organisation/Company Leiden University Research Field Astronomy » Astrophysics Astronomy » Cosmology Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 13 Dec 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 38.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Leiden Observatory at Leiden University invites applications for one or more faculty positions at the level of Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent / University Lecturer, 1.0 fte). The starting date is to be determined in consultation.

We seek outstanding scientists who will establish an independent and internationally leading research programme that complements and broadens the scientific activities of Leiden Observatory. We welcome applications from across astronomy and astrophysics, including observational, theoretical, computational, and instrumentation research.

We encourage applications across the broad research programme of the Observatory, including the formation and evolution of galaxies, cosmology and large-scale structure, the Milky Way and stellar dynamics, compact objects and gravitational-wave astrophysics, star formation and the interstellar medium, and astrochemistry. We are particularly interested in candidates who bring new expertise or create connections between existing research activities.

In addition, we particularly encourage applications from candidates working in areas that connect to current and future strategic opportunities at Leiden Observatory. These include (sub)millimetre astronomy, and space/ground-based astronomical instrumentation, especially at optical and infrared wavelengths. Leiden hosts ALLEGRO, the Dutch node of the European ALMA Regional Centre, and has a strong involvement in the development and scientific exploitation of major astronomical instrumentation through NOVA.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a strong and independent research programme, attract external research funding, collaborate with partners, supervise PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, and contribute to the scientific life of the Observatory. They will also contribute to teaching and supervision within the Leiden Astronomy BSc and MSc programmes and to the organisation and development of the Observatory.

Leiden Observatory is the astronomical institute of the Faculty of Science at Leiden University and one of the largest academic astronomy institutes in Europe. The Observatory is part of the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy (NOVA) and has strong connections with ASTRON, SRON, ESO, ESA and other national and international research organisations.

What you bring

We are looking for candidates who:

• hold a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or a closely related field;
• have an excellent research track record appropriate to their career stage and the potential to develop an internationally leading independent research programme;
• have a clear vision for their future research and for how it will connect to and strengthen research at Leiden Observatory;
• have the potential to attract external research funding;
• are enthusiastic and inspiring teachers and supervisors, with a commitment to high-quality and inclusive education;
• are willing and able to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (BKO) within two years if they do not already possess an equivalent qualification;
• are clear communicators and collaborative colleagues who enjoy working in an international and diverse academic environment;
• are willing to contribute to the broader organisation and academic community of Leiden Observatory and the Faculty of Science.

Where you will work

Leiden Observatory is the astronomical institute of the Faculty of Science at Leiden University. With a rich history and a leading role in international astronomy, we offer a dynamic work environment where cutting-edge research and top-level education come together. Our academic programs include a Bachelor and Master degree, complemented by a renowned PhD program. Together with over 170 dedicated staff members we are committed to academic innovation and fostering a close-knit, inclusive community where everyone feels welcome and valued. For more information about Leiden Observatory, see here: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/astronomy

What we offer

Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development. The University’s inspiring and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague.

We also offer:

• A faculty position with an initial one-year contract, with the intention of converting it into a permanent appointment following satisfactory performance.
• A salary between € 4.925 and €7.573 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (scale 11-12]);
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces.

What we value

Promoting a diverse and inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.

Want to apply or find out more?

Applications should include:

• a cover letter describing the applicant's motivation for applying to Leiden Observatory;
• a statement describing past research and future research plans, including how the proposed programme would connect to and strengthen research at Leiden Observatory (maximum 3 pages);
• a statement on teaching and supervision experience and philosophy (maximum 1 page);
• three reference letters (in PDF format), to be send directly by the letter writer to [e-mail] by the application deadline. Please ask your letter writers to use the filename format [LAST_NAME_APPLICANT]_[LAST_NAME_LETTER_WRITER].pdf

If you would like more information about the position, please contact Prof. Dr Mariska Kriek, Chair of the search committee, at [e-mail]. You can apply until 13 December 2026;

To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

• We ensure that our lecturers have a good level of English competency. Lectures who teach subjects in English have a minimum level of C1 for their English proficiency. We also believe it is important for international staff to acquire a good level of Dutch: they are expected to obtain a sufficient command of the Dutch language within a few years after appointment.
• Leiden University expects faculty members to obtain the Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO). If the new employee does not yet hold this qualification or its equivalent, they must be willing to obtain it within two years.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this. #LI-Hybrid