Professor of Science and Mathematics Education (0.8 - 1.0 fte) 10-07-2012

Employer: Utrecht University
Location: 
Posted: July 6, 2012
Expires: September 1, 2012
Requisition number: 

Science jobs from Utrecht University:

The primary tasks of the Freudenthal Institute for Science and Mathematics Education are the training of science and mathematics teachers and educators, research in the field of science and mathematics education, and increasing the quality and attractiveness of secondary education in these subject areas. In the fields of teacher training and primary education in science and mathematics, the Institute cooperates closely with the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences under the umbrella of the Centre for Teaching and Learning of Utrecht University.

The staff members of the Institute are formally appointed in a unit of the Mathematics Department but its activities cover both sciences and mathematics; close cooperation in education is established with the other departments of the Faculty of Science. The Institute has five sections: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Outreach.

The Institute is responsible for a Master in Science Education and Communication, Teacher Training Masters in five science disciplines in pre-university education, educational minors, and various bachelor courses in didactics and science communication.

The Institute operates in a large network of schools, ministries, national and international educational institutes and funding agencies.

The Chair Science and Mathematics Education will be in charge of and responsible for the whole Institute and will be a member of the Board of Junior College Utrecht.

Qualifications Appointees are expected to play an active role in all aspects of academic life. Candidates should demonstrate excellence in research, including grant-earning capacity, be skilled in teaching and student supervision, and experienced in academic leadership. Furthermore, we expect a willingness to take up administrative responsibilities. All of this should be exemplified by:

Research

The research focus of the chair should be related to one or more of the current strands of research in science and mathematics education in the Institute: (1) the application of authentic contexts; (2) modelling and use of ICT; (3) professional development of teachers.

The chair is expected to raise funds for research from national and European agencies, to supervise PhD-students, to publish in relevant refereed international and national journals, to participate in (and organize) national and international research conferences, to give research-based lectures and workshops for a variety of audiences (researchers, teachers) and to be active in reviewing PhD-theses, articles and books. Sharing research-based knowledge with practitioners should be an important aim of the chair.

Education (Bachelor, Master)

The chair is expected to contribute to courses at bachelor and master level, and to supervise master theses. Close contacts with directors of education in the Faculty of Science should be fostered to explore potential contributions by staff members of the Institute to bachelor courses and strengthening collaboration between secondary and higher education.

Academic leadership

Strong academic leadership is required and a broad research informed view on science and mathematics education is essential. The chair will be responsible for the quality and quantity of research and teaching. He or she should take a leading role in acquiring national and international funds for research, curriculum development and teaching. And last but not least the chair should be a strong leader of the Institute, which requires managing internal affairs of the Institute, besides keeping constructive contacts with relevant university bodies, external institutions, and subject specific unions of researchers and teachers.

Offer In principle the appointment is permanent, and at the level of full/chair professor. The successful candidate will be offered a fulltime position. The gross salary ranges from € 4,904.- to € 8,622.- per month, depending on experience. The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% per year.

In addition we offer a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, flexible employment conditions, the possibility to participate in a collective health care plan, and other benefits. Conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.

About the organisation Utrecht University is a research university comprising of seven faculties which collectively span the entire academic spectrum in teaching and research. Founded in 1636, the University is now a modern, leading institute enjoying a growing international reputation. In the Shanghai Ranking, Utrecht University ranks 1st in the Netherlands, 12th in Europe and 48th worldwide (see www.uu.nl).

Utrecht University's Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physics and Astronomy. The Faculty is home to 3500 students and nearly 1800 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research. Its academic programmes reflect the developments in today's society.

The Freudenthal Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (FIsme) has a leading role in the field of science and mathematics education in the Netherlands. In Europe the Institute is one of the largest of its kind and staff members are involved in a large variety of international projects in Europe and other parts of the world.

Additional information

Additional information can be obtained from Prof. dr. H.M.C. Eijkelhof (acting director of the Institute), email H.M.C.Eijkelhof@uu.nl, tel. +31 30 253 4719.

The interviews will take place on Monday October 29, 2012 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. ApplyFor initial selection, we ask you to submit electronically the following files:

* Application letter

* Curriculum vitae

* Research and teaching statement

* Names and (email) addresses of at least three people who can be asked for recommendation letters. At this stage, the letters do not yet need to be sent.

At a later stage, candidates may be invited for an interview, including an oral presentation. Anonymous external referees might be consulted.

Utrecht University specifically encourages female candidates to apply. To apply, please visit www.uu.nl/vacancies The application deadline is 1 September 2012.

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