Head of Department of Estuarine & Delta Systems Research

NIOZ seeks to appoint a new Head for their Department of Estuarine & Delta Systems. The Department focuses on understanding the complex interactions between organisms and their physical and chemical environment in estuaries and deltas. EDS is based in Yerseke, on the Eastern Scheldt, but its scientific staff members also work on other estuarine systems globally. Their aim is towards gaining an integrated understanding of the functioning of estuarine and delta systems, in the context of natural and human-induced environmental changes. The Department’s expertise lies in understanding, restoring, and utilizing the complex ecosystems of the estuary and delta environments.

For an impression of the department, and an illustrative 3-minute video about it, please visit Estuarine & Delta Systems – NIOZ.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Head of Department is responsible for the general management of EDS and bears final responsibility for research and scientific production pertaining to the department’s mission, which includes fundamental, frontier-applied inter-, multi- and transdisciplinary research projects. The Head takes an active lead in optimally aligning these activities to institute-wide developments and collaborations on marine research. As an ambassador of EDS and NIOZ, the Head lays the groundwork for outreach and communication and ensures a good representation, especially within the regions of Zeeland and Flanders. The Head of EDS is considered to have an externally oriented vision and concomitant action. The Head of Department spends approximately 40% of the time on general management and scientific supervision, 40% on scientific research and other related activities, and 20% on representative tasks.

The Head of Department is a member of the NIOZ Management Team and is therefore expected to contribute to the development and implementation of the institute’s overall strategy and policies.

PROFILE

The new Head of Department:

• is a widely recognized scientist with experience equivalent to a professorship, extensive knowledge and experience in estuarine or coastal research, and a high level of national and international recognition in the field;
• has proven management experience and successes, and possesses an inclusive and dynamic leadership style;
• can formulate a clear vision of future developments in marine sciences on a national and international level;
• generates involvement and collaboration in innovation in marine science and sees possibilities for creating synergies within the region, as well as nationally and internationally;
• is receptive and collaborative; seeks consensus; resolves issues conclusively where necessary and stands behind decisions taken;
• is proficient in English and Dutch with strong oral and written communication skills, or a willingness to obtain a good working knowledge of Dutch within a reasonable time frame.

The new Head of Department has an enthusiastic modern academic leadership style focused on connecting individuals and collegiality. The candidate is forward-thinking, goal setting and a good communicator. NIOZ is committed to inclusive decision-making processes and expects its leadership to demonstrate visible commitment, bias awareness, and cultural intelligence.

Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)

NIOZ, the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, is the Dutch national oceanographic institute and is recognised as world-leading in marine research. The institute advances fundamental understanding of marine systems, the way they change, the role they play in climate and biodiversity, and how they may provide sustainable solutions to society in the future. NIOZ is an institute of the Institute organisation of NWO (the Dutch Research Council) and has been conducting seagoing research for almost 150 years. NIOZ operates from two strategic locations in the Netherlands, on the Wadden Island of Texel and in Yerseke, in the Southwestern Delta, employing a permanent staff of about 50 senior marine scientists, with a total of up to ~350 full-time and part-time employees (project-based Postdocs and PhD included).

APPOINTMENT PROCESS

An executive search exercise is being undertaken by Perrett Laver to assist the Appointment Advisory Committee. Applications should consist of a covering letter addressing suitability against the person specification and a full curriculum vitae.

Perrett Laver may be contacted for informal enquiries and questions about the post at +31 202 404 378 or boris.evenhuis@perrettlaver.com.

Applications can be uploaded at https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies, quoting reference number 7280. The closing date for applications is 9am CEST on Tuesday 21st of May.

Applications will be considered by the Appointment Advisory Committee at the beginning of June and selected candidates will be invited for formal interviews at the end of June. An assessment is part of the application process.

Given the current composition of the Management Team, applications from women are actively encouraged.

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