[Taxacom] Museum Naturalis seeks Associate Director of Research

[Nieukerken, E.J. van]

The National Museum of Natural History / Naturalis Leiden (The Netherlands), invites applications for an Associate Director of Research (full-time). (closing date 30 September 2006). 
Read the advertisement at:   www.naturalis.nl/vacature or below in plain text.
            
The Netherlands National Museum of Natural History in Leiden was established in 1820 and is known to the general public as Naturalis since 1998. Naturalis curates about 15 million specimens of animals, fossils, minerals and rocks. The museum's collection are particularly rich in material from the Netherlands and adjacent areas, Southeast Asia, the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname; other highlights are geological collections from Spain, reptiles and amphibians from the Amazon Basin and Lake Victoria cichlids. The 140 tenured staff includes 21 research scientists. Research at Naturalis has a wide scope, ranging from coral reef biodiversity to gemmology, and research closely interacts with the collection. The Associate Director is assisted in the management of the sector by the heads of the departments of Geology, Zoology and Entomology. 
 
The museum is closely co-operating with other organizations in the Netherlands and abroad. Merging of Stichting Naturalis with several other large biodiversity collection and research facilities into the Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Research (NCB) is foreseen in the near future. The NCB will become the national collection and research organization for systematic biology and geology, with more than 50 scientists and c. 40 million specimens.
 
Naturalis seeks applicants for the position of Associate Director of Research (full-time), who will set the agenda of scientific research at Naturalis, to guide its development and implementation, and to ensure significant external funding together with the three departmental heads. The candidate should be able to position the wide-ranging taxonomic expertise of the research scientists in multidisciplinary research programmes, as well as in multinational programmes with other European taxonomic facilities.
 
Naturalis also expects a successful candidate:
*         To encourage and develop a more active interaction of research and education at Naturalis with universities and other research institutions in the Netherlands. 
*         To utilize the combined resources of Naturalis, with 250,000 visitors annually, and other institutions in the fields of the Earth and life sciences to develop public outreach and stimulate student interest.
*         To play a prominent role in national and international initiatives in Earth and life sciences;
*         To shape the research agenda of the Netherlands Centre of Biodiversity Research (NCB), in co-operation with the partners,



The successful candidate has:
*         At least ten years of research experience and proven management capabilities with a broad vision on Earth and Life Sciences and an affinity with biological systematics, 
a PhD degree is required;
*         A track record of, and drive for, attracting and leading research projects and programmes in an innovative and multi-disciplinary context; 
*         Excellent communicative skills in English and Dutch, or the willingness to learn the Dutch language within two years of appointment, to be able to communicate both in scientific and governmental circles as well as in front of a general audience;
*         An affinity with the other main activities of Naturalis (collection management, exhibitions, university teaching and other educational programmes);
*         The ability to 'build bridges', thus encouraging scientists to work together in innovative ways, and leading to a more effective collaboration among scientists, managers and non-governmental organisations;
*         The resourcefulness to contribute to the general management of Naturalis.


Naturalis offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.  The institute is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Because of the ongoing process establishing the NCB, the position of director of research will be offered a temporary contract of three years. However, as the process is coming forward, the successful candidate could be a strong candidate for one of the leading science positions.
 
For more information on current research, research facilities and this position see the Naturalis website. Any additional information can be requested from the address below.
Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, a clearly focused vision on research (content, context and management; maximum 2 pages-single spaced), and the names and addresses (incl. telephone and e-mail) of three potential referees by e-mail (preferably as a single PDF file) or by mail to Mrs. S.S. Liefhebber, Human Resources Advisor, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA LEIDEN. E-mail: liefhebber at naturalis.nl .
Reprints/copies (PDF file) of the five most recent significant publications and additional information may be requested at a later stage. Applicants may be invited for a lecture and interview. Closing date: 30 september 2006. The effective date of employment is negotiable, but should preferably not be later than 1 January 2007. The first interviews will take place in week 44 (30 October - 4 November), 2006 in Naturalis, Leiden.
For enquiries please contact Mr. Ronald van Hengstum (Director) or Mrs. Sandra Liefhebber (see contact details above).