Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Mathematics

Are you passionate about working with students in knowledge transfer (bachelor's and master's programmes) and supervision? Do you enjoy working with interdisciplinary courses in our new Science, Technology, and Innovation programme? Do you also want to grow and develop yourself in academia? Then we are looking for you!

Join Us!
The Korteweg-de Vries Institute for Mathematics (KdVI) at the University of Amsterdam invites applications for a tenure track position as Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Mathematics, with a focus on Interdisciplinary applied research in network theory, topological and geometric data analysis, complex systems, and statistical physics. Our intent is to attract top talent from all over the world—ambitious and motivated scientists who will advance our goal of having a maximal impact on science and society. We offer a stimulating environment and excellent conditions for research, closely connected to challenging educational programmes.

About the KdVI
The Korteweg-de Vries Institute for Mathematics is the research institute for mathematics at the University of Amsterdam. It has more than 90 employees and comprises the following research programmes: Analysis, Stochastics, Algebra, Geometry and Mathematical Physics, Discrete Mathematics and Quantum Information, and Applied Mathematics. In 2022, KdVI was assessed very positively by an external review committee: its research is of high quality, the institute has recently grown in size, and it is prominent in both the national and international mathematical community and in (interdisciplinary) networks with other partners.

The institute has the ambition to further strengthen its (inter)national position in the coming years. Developments include quantum-related mathematics, mathematical biology, and complex systems. In programmes and projects, KdVI closely cooperates with other scientific institutes and disciplines, with civil society organisations, and the finance community. The institute also plays a central role in the national mathematics network LNMB and supports the national master's programme MasterMath.

Research Area
The position is within the KdVI and aligns with the Discrete Mathematics and Quantum Information (DMQI) group. More information about the DMQI group can be found here. The DMQI group focuses on discrete mathematics, combinatorics, graph theory, and quantum information, with applications across the sciences. We are particularly interested in candidates whose interdisciplinary research interfaces with network theory, topological and geometric data analysis, complex systems, and statistical physics, with applications in areas such as neuroscience, epidemiology, finance, and social dynamics.

What are you going to do?
We are looking for a person willing to grow and develop in academia:

• Further develop your research in Mathematics by publishing in high-level mathematical and interdisciplinary journals, presenting at leading conferences, and supervising PhD students.
• Work towards setting up your own research group.
• Apply for external funding (from NWO, ERC, industry, etc.).
• Teach (initially in English) in the Bachelor and Master programmes in Mathematics of UvA, including interdisciplinary courses, particularly for the new Science, Technology, and Innovation program, and supervise undergraduate and graduate students.
• Learn the Dutch language (obtaining level B1 within three years of the appointment).
• Collaborate with other interdisciplinary groups, institutes, and/or companies inside and outside UvA by contributing your expertise to joint research projects. Within the UvA, the candidate is expected to collaborate interdisciplinaryly with the Institute for Advanced Studies and the Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena, among other interdisciplinary intiatives at UvA.
• Develop management skills required for general academic administration, organization, and coordination tasks.
• Demonstrate good organizational citizenship behavior within the Faculty of Science.
• Engage in research valorization, open science initiatives, and activities to convey mathematics to non-specialist audiences.

Your experience and profile

• A PhD in mathematics or a closely related field (e.g., Theoretical Physics), with several years of postdoc experience researching complex systems in interdisciplinary settings involving discrete mathematics (e.g., through the lens of stochastics, discrete geometry, algebraic topology, multivariate information theory, or statistical physics).
• Excellent general research skills, evidenced by publications in high-level interdisciplinary journals and invited or contributed talks at international conferences.
• A strong publication track record in data-driven applications across several research fields, specifically in applied topology, statistical mechanics, network neuroscience, epidemiology, finance, and/or social dynamics, and an affinity for contributions in pure mathematics that emerge from applications and back.
• Proven track record of working in and building interdisciplinary collaborations, as evidenced by participation in international consortia, publications, and invited talks at international gatherings across multiple research fields.
• Extensive experience in developing and teaching introductory and advanced mathematics in interdisciplinary teaching programmes and to diverse student audiences, as well as developing new interdisciplinary courses.
• Substantive and successful mentoring and supervision experience of Bachelor, Master, and PhD students, ideally in interdisciplinary settings.
• Proactive working attitude with a proven interest in building interdisicplinary research activities across departments and disciplines, as evidenced through regular organization of seminars, workshops, and other activities for the wider scientific community.
• Interest in research valorization, as evidenced by engagement in open science and activities to convey mathematics to non-specialist audiences.
• Good command of English.
• Ability to teach in Dutch or willingness to learn Dutch (obtaining level B1 within three years of the appointment).
• Willingness to acquire the university teaching qualification (BKO) required by Dutch universities.

We will base our selection on your scientific track record and vision for future research, as well as on your teaching achievements, qualifications, and vision for future teaching.

Our offer
We offer you a position as Assistant Professor for 18 months. After a final positive assessment, a tenured position will be offered. The starting date is preferably 1 February 2025. The starting salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and, depending on experience and qualifications, will range from a minimum of 4.537 up to a maximum of 6.209 gross per month (salary scale 11) based on full-time employment. This is exclusive of 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

About UvA and the Faculty of Science
Employees of the Faculty of Science are driven by a shared passion to find out how the world works. Our eight research institutes cover the entire spectrum of the natural sciences: from astronomy and physics to life and earth sciences, molecular sciences, mathematics, and information sciences. Whether we are unraveling the origins and building blocks of life or laying the groundwork for future technology, we are united by an insatiable curiosity.

With around 1,600 employees, we are committed every day to sharing our knowledge and curiosity with over 7,000 students in the Bachelor's and Master's programmes that we offer at our Amsterdam Science Park campus. In this way, we train the next generation of scientists and inspire them at the start of their own journey of discovery.

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the widest range of study programmes. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 employees, and 3,000 PhD students, connected by a culture of curiosity.

Would you like to know more about working at the UvA? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam here.

For more information about the job, please contact:

• Prof. dr. J. Ellis-Monaghan
• T: 020 - 525 5217
• E: j.a.ellismonaghan@uva.nl

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 7 January 2025. You can apply online by using the button below.

Applications should include the following information in a single PDF file:

• A motivation letter (maximum 1 page).
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and teaching track record.
• A research statement (maximum 2 pages).
• A teaching statement (maximum 1 page).
• Contact information (name, email, and telephone number) for three references from different institutes.

Please make sure to provide ALL requested documents mentioned above. You can use the CV field to upload your resume as a separate pdf document. Use the Cover Letter field to upload the other requested documents, including the motivation letter, as one single pdf file.

A knowledge security check may be part of the selection procedure. (for details: National knowledge security guidelines).

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered. Please don’t send any applications by email.

We will invite potential candidates for interviews soon after the expiration of the vacancy.

38 hours per week

Science Park 904