Assistant Professor in Experimental Biophysics & Bio-Inspired Materials

Are you an experimental physicist with a passion for Biophysics and/or Bio-Inspired materials? Do you want to contribute to cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and inspire the next generation of scientists? Then we look forward to welcoming you to the Department of Physics at Utrecht University.  

Your job

The Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics group at the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science (DINS) is looking to appoint a committed and driven assistant professor in Biophysics & Bio-Inspired Materials.

In this role, you will help to strengthen and expand our research portfolio and benefit from collaborations with other groups within DINS (which has groups in both the Department of Physics and the Department of Chemistry), the Institute for Theoretical Physics and with groups in the Life Sciences, particularly in the Departments of Chemistry and Biology. 

You will develop an independent research line based on your strong and proven expertise in the field. This means conducting excellent research, publishing in leading journals and actively pursuing research funding. You recognise opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations and build new research collaborations, both within and beyond our institute. You work closely together with your colleagues and create an open, encouraging and team oriented work environment when building your group. To be able to do your research, you have full use of an existing microscopy lab, chemical rooms, and a level 2 microbiology lab. As part of the Biophysics group, you will join a team that currently consists of two Assistant Professors and one full-time technician.

You inspire our students through engaging and innovative lectures in our Bachelor's and Master's programmes and support them individually with their thesis. You actively contribute in shaping and improving our courses and education programmes. In particular, you help develop a Master's track in Biophysics and/or a minor in Biophysics at the Bachelor's level. In addition, you have a visible presence in your field by engaging in society through your commitment to impact activities.

The position offered is at the level of Assistant Professor. However, candidates at Associate or Full Professor level are also invited to apply.

Your qualities

We are particularly interested in candidates whose research has overlap with or is close to the other research themes of the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science. Ideally, your eligibility is exemplified by the following: 

• a Master and PhD in Physics, Materials Science or Biophysics;
• enthusiasm for and experience with student supervision and innovative teaching in Bachelor's and Master's programmes;
• experience in and aspiration for further development of courses and programmes, especially the interdepartmental Bachelor's programme Molecular and Biophysical Life Sciences;
• willingness to obtain the University Teaching Qualification if you do not yet have it;
• a track record of international publications in leading journals;
• high potential for the acquisition of external research funds;
• readiness to supervise future PhD candidates and postdocs;
• good team work skills in (inter-)national scientific and societal communities.

Our offer

• A position for 18 months, with the prospect of permanent employment following a positive assessment;
• a fulltime working week of 38 hours (1,0 fte) and a gross monthly salary ranging between €4,537 to €7,056 (salary scale 11-12 -level of Assistant Professor- under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; 
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU. 

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Check our website for more information on recognition and rewards at the Faculty of Science. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community.

The Department of Physics has a long history of excellence in Physics research and education. Today, we consist of about fifty tenured staff who excel in research on topics such as String Theory, Cosmology, Hard- and Soft- Condensed Matter, Biophysics, High-Energy Physics, Nanophotonics and Climate Physics. Around 170 Bachelor's students and about 80 Master's students start each year in the broad BSc programme and the three MSc programmes Theoretical Physics, Experimental Physics, and Climate Physics.

The Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science (DINS) is one of the four research institutes within the Department of Physics. Five research groups from both the Department of Physics and the Department of Chemistry come together in DINS and focus on three themes: Energy Materials & Catalysts, Soft matter & Biomaterials, and Quantum Materials & Nanophotonics. The Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics group is one of the five groups and offers a collegial, informal, and international atmosphere.

More information

For more information, please contact Professor Alfons van Blaaderen via A.vanBlaaderen@uu.nl.

Do you have any questions about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.

Are you an international applicant? Check more information about what our International Service Desk does and the what and how on living in the Netherlands.

Candidates who proceed to the final round will be asked to compile a portfolio that includes a self-reflection. They will receive more details at that stage.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send the following documents via the ‘apply now’ button:

• your motivation letter;
• your full academic curriculum vitae, including a (link to a) publication list;
• a research statement (max. two pages), including best accomplishments and future goals;
• a teaching statement (max. two pages), including best accomplishments and future goals;
• the names and contact details of three referees who can be contacted for a reference letter.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

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The application deadline is 29 September 2025.