Assistant/Associate Professor of Chemistry Education

Employment 0.8 - 1.0 FTE

Gross monthly salary € 4,332 - € 8,025

Required background PhD

Organizational unit Faculty of Science

Application deadline 18 August 2024

Are you an enthusiastic scientist in the field of chemistry education with a drive to work at the cutting edge of the field? Would you like to help us translate fundamental insights into engaging activities in teacher education? And are you willing to share your experience and contribute to enhancing teaching and learning within the science faculty? If so, then we would like welcome you at the Institute for Science Education in the Faculty of Science as an assistant or associate professor. The Faculty of Science at Radboud University is expanding its research and education portfolio in the area of science education. We are currently looking for a specialist with research experience in teaching and learning in chemistry.

Research at the Institute for Science Education focuses on teaching and learning in science subjects, particularly science students’ subject-specific thinking and science teachers’ practical knowledge and skills. We put special emphasis on research in the context of curricular and pedagogical innovations in secondary education. Each of us has their own discipline-specific focus (yours will, of course, be chemistry), but we also work on overarching research interests. Especially the development of scientific literacy is a common theme. Present research topics include design-based learning, citizenship education, digital literacy and computational thinking, teachers’ noticing, education for sustainable development, and teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge. Many of our projects take the form of educational design research, yielding both practical products and contributions to the scientific knowledge base. Such projects are carried out together with stakeholders in practice and, more particularly, Dutch schools.

Our institute is responsible for a new two-year Master’s programme for science teacher education with specialisations in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. In this programme, we collaborate with the Radboud Teachers Academy, other institutes within the Faculty of Science, and local schools. We offer elective courses to engage Bachelor of Science students in teaching and learning. We intend to broaden our education agenda by contributing to professional development of faculty teaching staff and supporting educational innovations within the faculty.

As part of our team, you will design, coordinate and implement elements of our education agenda, supervise students’ projects, and maintain working relations with our partner institutes. We will encourage you to contribute to the further development of our institute’s research programme, aligning it with the institute’s education activities. Together with your colleagues, you will acquire research and development funding from national and international governmental sources and stakeholders.

Profile

• You are an enthusiastic scientist with a drive to work at the cutting edge of the field, underscored by a PhD degree in a relevant area and a track record of publications and presentations.
• You have experience in organising and initiating research.
• You have creative ideas on how to make use of national and international resources, and preferably a track record of external funding acquisition.
• You are an inspiring lecturer with a clear vision on teaching and with proven teaching skills who is keen to participate in the educational activities of our institute.
• You appreciate working in a team and are willing to use your managerial and communication skills to play an active role at our institute.
• You have academic level English language skills and (if applicable) you are willing to learn Dutch within two years. 

We are

The Institute for Science Education is an interdisciplinary institute hosting a scientific group (Science Education Research) and an outreach organisation (the Radboud Pre-University College (PUC) of Science). Our research aims to develop theories, methods and tools to support the development of science students’ subject-specific thinking and science teachers’ practical knowledge and skills. Teaching activities include courses in a Master’s programme in science teacher education and an elective science education programme for Bachelor’s students. Our institute contributes to national curriculum development for primary and secondary education. Radboud PUC of Science acts as a bridge between secondary schools and university and organises enriching science activities for students and teachers in secondary schools. PUC also provides a practice environment for courses developed by the institute.

The Faculty of Science is a complete, student-oriented science faculty where research and education are closely related. The faculty aims to be an academic community of international character, where staff members from different backgrounds can combine their talents with the common goal of being a leading faculty of science in Europe.

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

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of one year with the prospect of an indefinite contract.
• Your salary depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. You will be appointed as an Assistant Professor (salary scale 11 or 12) or Associate Professor (salary scale 13 or 14). The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• 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 18 August only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Ilona Gerritsen.  In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first round of interviews will take place on 10 and 12 September (online) and the second round of interviews will take place on 26 and 30 September (on-site). You will preferably start your employment on 1 January 2025.  

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.