Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences

Utrecht University is looking for a passionate and experienced administrator. A leading researcher with an open perspective, who looks for connections and offers inspiring leadership to the faculty community. Someone with the ambition to further facilitate and strengthen the excellent education and research at the Faculty of Geosciences.

Your job
The dean works together with the Executive Board and fellow administrators to realise Utrecht University’s strategy. Some examples of important, university-wide issues are Open Science, collaboration with partners like those within the EWUU alliance, expanding the university’s strategic themes, and enhancing interdisciplinary education and research.

The dean is responsible for all aspects of the Faculty of Geosciences' research, education, and operations. They focus on collaboration, identify potential connections, and foster a culture of recognition and appreciation based on teamwork, trust, and individual responsibility. With calm confidence, the dean works on the strategies of Utrecht University and the faculty, focusing on the broader national and international geosciences field, a wide range of knowledge institutions, and social and commercial partners, as well as the internal community of both Utrecht University and the faculty.

The faculty has a relevant and visible global position in education and research in the field of the Earth system and the transition to a sustainable, just and inclusive world. The faculty’s education and research are excellent, and leading in the field. The staff are committed and enthusiastic, and backed by a professional support organisation. The faculty has seen strong growth over the past few years, and is financially sound.

But the faculty does face certain challenges, against the backdrop of turbulent times for universities in the Netherlands and the world. An important task for the Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences is to continue promoting the collaboration between the various disciplines within the faculty, which range from natural sciences to social sciences. In that task, it is vital for the dean to recognise and reinforce each department’s strengths, while connecting them with this unique faculty’s shared mission.

The faculty has a wonderful opportunity to achieve even more social impact through its sustainability research and education, and to contribute to a healthy planet and a better world for everyone. This will require a transdisciplinary approach, and strengthening the ties with society and other collaborative partners, both within and outside the university. But it also requires balancing impact and transdisciplinarity with the faculty’s foundation of strong discipline-specific research and education.

One area of concern will be to maintain and strengthen a curriculum that is both distinctive and attractive for students, while the landscape of sustainability studies, for example, continues to expand. This will require a vision and direction for the Faculty of Geosciences.

With an eye for connecting with the workplace and balancing fundamental disciplinary research and education with impact-driven approaches, the dean plays a key role in guiding the Faculty of Geosciences through these challenges, sustaining its current success, and strengthening its meaningful contribution to a more sustainable future.

See the brochure for more information about the position and the organisation.

Requirements:

The new dean is thoroughly familiar with developments in the Dutch higher education system and has a wealth of international experience in geosciences. At Utrecht University, this field encompasses Earth sciences, physical and human geography, spatial planning, environmental sciences, and transition and innovation sciences. The dean is a standard-bearer for the inter- and transdisciplinarity of the field, is familiar with both the scientific and societal contexts of geosciences, and strives to further enhance the national and international impact of the Faculty of Geosciences’ education and research.

The dean fosters connection within and between the four departments, with an eye for their unique characteristics and shared values. As a team player, the dean actively involves the faculty’s support services, participation bodies, and fellow administrators, leveraging and strengthening their qualities. The dean ensures a pleasant and safe working and learning environment where equality, diversity, and inclusion are self-evident values. Additionally, the dean acknowledges the importance of, and has affinity with, support and operations management for primary processes.

The dean has an open perspective and an inclusive, inspiring leadership style, as well as experience with an international work environment. The dean possesses proven administrative capacities, and has experience with leading complex (change and other) processes. The dean is an integrity-driven leader, who thinks and acts strategically and holistically, provides direction, and is both decisive and effective.

We are looking for a dean who can translate an outspoken vision into concrete objectives and innovations. Someone who makes personal connections, and who knows that providing direction and creating support are both vital to success. A collegial administrator who is transparent and communicates clearly about decisions, who can listen and inspire, and who seeks out dialogue with staff and students, proficient in both Dutch and English. A colleague with a sense of humour, who is accessible and can put things into perspective.

Salary Benefits:

• A permanent employment contract for 1.0 FTE, and an appointment as a Dean for a four-year term;
• a salary in accordance with the position of dean as stipulated in the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

36 - 40 hours per week

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