Assistant Professor: Exoplanets and their stellar environments

Employment 0.8 - 1.0 FTE

Gross monthly salary € 4,332 - € 5,929

Required background PhD

Organizational unit Faculty of Science

Application deadline 25 August 2024

Are you an enthusiastic Astrophysicist with a strong interest in exoplanets, preferably in the relation with their parent star? Would you like to share your expertise and contribute to our academic community? Then this exciting opportunity to join our institute as an assistant professor could be interesting for you.

We are looking for an assistant professor on the topic of rocky exoplanets. Due to the strong expertise in our department in stellar structure and evolution, the ideal candidate has a strong interest and expertise in the relationship between rocky exoplanets and their parent stars. The chemical composition of the parent star is imprinted on that of rocky planets, which in turn is key input to understand the planets' interior structure, atmosphere, and evolution. Stellar activity impacts the stability and composition of planetary atmospheres. These factors are key to understand the potential for life as we know it to emerge.

As an assistant professor, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the interdisciplinary environment at Radboud, encompassing plasma physics, stellar structure and evolution, planet formation, and atmospheric chemistry (including laboratory experiments at the FELIX laboratory), and- to develop into a leading role in your research field and education. In addition to your research and teaching you will be supervising PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers and you will be asked to make a contribution to the department by taking on management tasks. Last but not least you are encouraged to create societal impact by setting up collaborations with partners outside academia,
participating in advisory bodies, giving talks at (high) schools and/or making media appearances.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in Astrophysics or a related field and are an independent researcher in the area mentioned above.
• You have the drive to set up, supervise and support a thriving research group, including students and PhD candidates.
• You have a track record of publications in relevant international journals, invitations to conferences, and other scientific distinctions, commensurate with your career stage.
• You are a scientist who is able/willing to acquire external funding for your research.
• You are enthusiastic about teaching and eager to participate in the educational programs of our institute.
• You communicate well with colleagues at all levels and like working in a team.
• You have an interest in communicating your science to wider society (e.g. in the form of science communication, science valorisation, or science policy).

The Faculty of Science is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and as such encourages applications from women and minorities. For this position there is a strong preference for women and candidates from other underrepresented groups in the physical sciences.

We are

The Department of Astrophysics at Radboud University is part of the Institute of Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP) and has a strong track record in stellar physics, magnetic fields, and particle acceleration. The department is building up an interdisciplinary link with the Institute for Molecules and Materials and FELIX Laboratory to understand the chemistry of planet formation and exoplanets and their atmospheres.

The new position will strengthen this link by focusing on the host star-planet relationship.
The vibrant and international department consists of 15 faculty, and approximately 15 postdoctoral researchers and engineers, 30 PhD candidates, and 10 MSc students. Worldclass research focuses on high-energy astrophysics, cosmic rays, black holes, gravitational waves, stellar and binary evolution, star and planet formation, exoplanets, star clusters and the Milky Way. The department highly values team science, a safe working environment, and extensive links to society.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

We seek solutions to major societal challenges, such as cybercrime and climate change and work on major scientific challenges, such as those in the quantum world. At the same time, we prepare our students for careers both within and outside the scientific field.

Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all.

We offer

• You will be employed on the basis of a temporary contract for 18 months with the prospect of a permanent contract in case of a positive evaluation of your performance.
• Your salary within salary scale 11 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• At the start of your employment you will be appointed as Assistant Professor level 2 (salary scale 11) on a career track towards promotion to Assistant Professor level 1 (salary scale 12, maximum € 6,737). The performance criteria and duration of the career track will be tailored to your background and track record. 
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Practical information and applying

You can apply no later than 25 August only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Marijke Haverkorn van Rijsewijk.

The first interviews will take place from late September to the beginning of October. 

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information.