Your function
The position is part of the Computer Systems and Security section, which was founded by Prof. Em. Andrew Tanenbaum in the 1970s and obtained a strong international reputation for its high impact on science and society. The section currently has five chairs: High Performance Distributed Computing (this vacancy), System and Network Security (Herbert Bos), Hardware Security (Cristiano Giuffrida), Massivising Computer Systems (Alexandru Iosup), and Foundational and Experimental Security (Fabio Massacci).
We expect the candidate to establish a new group. The department offers at least one (Career Track) Assistant Professor and a PhD position for the new group, to be filled after the candidate has started.
We invite experienced researchers from all areas of computer systems to apply. Topics of interest include, but are certainly not limited to, high-performance computing systems and computer networking. The candidate is expected to have a strong technical background and a keen eye for applications, in areas such as databases and data analytics systems, embedded systems, edge computing, exascale computing, hardware accelerators, performance engineering, energy-efficient computing, or machine learning.
Two postings – one appointment
Please note: the research group Computer Systems has one position available and only one appointment will be made. To attract the best-fitting candidate, we advertise this position through two separate postings at two academic levels (‘Associate Professor with a career track to Full Professor’, and ‘Full Professor’). Applicants are invited to apply to the level that best matches their current profile and will be assessed against the criteria of that level. Applicants are requested to apply to one level only. The final selection decision and appointment level will be determined based on the published requirements and assessment criteria, and the assessment outcome.
Your duties
The position includes research, education and management. Key responsibilities include:
- Setting up and leading a new research group in the area of Computer Systems.
- Developing a scientific research program supported by external funding.
- Contributing at least to the Computer Science Bachelor and Master programs, including the Computer Systems and Infrastructure MSc track. Many MSc classes in systems also attract students from AI, Computational Science, Computer Security, Bioinformatics, Business analytics, and others.
- This position places a strong emphasis on governance and leadership.
Your profile
We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore, we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.
Research
- A PhD in Computer Science or a closely related field.
- A strong and independent research profile with a clear long-term vision.
- A solid and growing publication record in internationally recognised journals and conferences.
- Active participation in the international research community, for example through programme committees or editorial boards.
- Demonstrated ability to acquire external research funding or contribute substantially to funded projects.
- Clear potential to grow into an internationally recognised research leader.
Teaching
- Demonstrated excellent teaching skills in both Bachelor’s and Master’s courses, as well as in supervising student projects.
- A clear vision for educational development and curriculum innovation.
- Experience supervising Bachelor’s, Master’s, and (co-)supervising PhD students.
- In possession of, or willing to obtain, the University Teaching Qualification (BKO).
Leadership
- Intellectual leadership: leading a research line or thematic group.
- Coordination of projects, courses, or small teams.
- Responsibility for quality and social safety within one’s own group.
- Ability to support colleagues’ development and foster an inclusive, safe working environment.
Career Track Expectations (towards Full Professor)
- Growth towards strategic leadership and broader departmental responsibilities.
- Increasing international visibility and recognition.
- Development of a sustainable research group.
- Progression towards formal promotorship and responsibility for PhD policy.
As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.
We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.
What do we offer?
We offer a Career Track position at the level of Associate Professor (profile Associate Professor 1 or 2, scale 13 or 14). The initial appointment will be for a period of 1.5 years including a two-month probationary period, which will be turned into a tenured position after satisfactory evaluation (with specific performance indicators):
- Associate Professor 2: a salary of minimum € 6.512 and maximum € 7.904 gross per month, on a full-time basis (scale 13). This is based on UFO-profile Associate Professor 2.
- Associate Professor 1: a salary of minimum € 6.835 and maximum € 8.673 gross per month, on a full-time basis (scale 14). This is based on UFO-profile Associate Professor 1.
- The exact UFO-profile and salary depends on your education and experience.
- A position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 18 months.
We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:
- A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
- 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
- solid pension scheme (ABP)
- contribution to commuting expenses
- optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
About us
Department of Computer Science
The Department of Computer Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is an internationally recognised centre of excellence, advancing the full spectrum of Computer Science in both research and education. It comprises approximately 230 staff members and is organised around strongly connected themes: AI & Data, Systems & Infrastructure, Software, Security & Privacy and Theory of Computation.
The department combines fundamental insights with real-world application across a wide range of societal domains. In doing so, it adopts a human-centred and interdisciplinary approach, contributing to a healthy, sustainable and secure digital society in which responsible computing advances the wellbeing of people and planet.
Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.
From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct
We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.
Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.
We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.
Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.
Interested
Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae, cover letter, and research and teaching statement before 22-6-2026
Relocation support
If you have any questions regarding moving to Amsterdam, and working at VU Amsterdam, you may contact:
Name: Jenny Hornikx
E-mail: internationalstaffsupport.soz@vu.nl
Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.
Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.
