Assistant/Associate Professor Island Sustainability & Multidisciplinary Research
Vacature omschrijving
The University of Aruba is a young, dynamic, and growing university that was founded in 1988 and now consists of four faculties, namely the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Accounting, Finance & Marketing, the Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management Studies, and the Faculty of Arts and Science. Our primary activity is to provide high-quality education.
For our SISSTEM (Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, and Engineering (STEM)) program we are looking for a highly motivated:
Assistant/Associate Professor – Island Sustainability & Multidisciplinary Research
(1,0 fte.)
Your main responsibilities are:
As Assistant/ Associate Professor you will:
- Teach and (co-)develop Bachelor and Master level courses within the SISSTEM programs, working closely with other lecturers and (PhD) researchers.
- Supervise and coach student research projects, theses, and internships, including methodological guidance and research quality assurance.
- Contribute to and strengthen SISSTEM’s applied research agenda in island sustainability, including (but not limited to) water–energy–food systems, ecology, circular economy, climate adaptation, coastal/marine solutions, resilient infrastructure, health & well-being and other data-driven sustainability.
- Work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, collaborating across disciplines (e.g., engineering, environmental science, data science, social sciences, policy, business) and across different entities (government, utilities, NGOs, private sector).
- Engage with local, regional, and international stakeholders to co-create research, field pilots, and/or living-lab type projects relevant to Aruba and other Small Island States.
- Contribute to research outputs (peer-reviewed publications, reports) and to funding proposals and project development.
- Participate in academic service activities and, where relevant, program development tasks within a small university setting.
Functie-eisen
The ideal candidate:
- Holds a PhD in Sustainability Science, Engineering, Environmental/Climate Sciences, Biology, Data Science, or a closely related field.
- Has proven experience in teaching, student coaching (typically 3+ years), and research.
- Demonstrates research experience relevant to island sustainability, evidenced by at least two of the following:
- peer-reviewed publications and/or applied research reports in the context of island sustainability,
- participation in island-based pilots/living labs or SIDS-relevant projects,
- grant or proposal contributions in island sustainability themes,
- stakeholder-engaged research outcomes in island contexts.
- Has documented experience working in multidisciplinary teams, for example through cross-disciplinary projects, co-authored work across disciplines, or research consortia that combine technical and societal dimensions.
- Has strong supervisory skills, is a team player but can also work independently.
- Has excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Strongly preferred:
- Experience collaborating with government/industry/community partners in applied sustainability projects.
- Experience with field data collection and analysis in real-world settings (pilot operations, monitoring campaigns, techno-economic or impact assessment).
- A clear research direction that complements and expands SISSTEM’s agenda.
Arbeidsvoorwaarden
We offer a pleasant working environment within a small university with around 800 students that is in full development. The small scale of our organization means that we offer a diversity of work and roles, from providing teaching and conducting research to holding administrative positions.
This position involves a 40 hours work week and a salary in accordance with the remuneration scheme of the University of Aruba. The appointment is for a contract period of one (1) to three (3) years with the possibility of a contract extension based on a good performance evaluation and unchanged organization conditions. Part of our secondary employment conditions includes 30 vacation days, 13 ATV days, a vacation allowance, a pension plan, additional health insurance, and opportunities for personal and professional development.
Sollicitatieprocedure
**Interested?** Submit your application through
Acquisitie naar aanleiding van deze advertentie wordt niet op prijs gesteld.
Universiteit van Aruba
The University of Aruba (UA) is a modern university offering higher education, research, and social services to Aruba and the surrounding regions. Embedded in the Aruban society, the UA is a model in cultural diversity that represents the make-up of the Aruban culture itself, with students from the Caribbean, European, Latin, Asian, and American family backgrounds. The current four Faculties and the various University Centers strive to contribute to academic discussion, participate in the sustainable development of Aruba, and promote critical open-minded thinking. Providing these services is a critical part of UA’s mission to give back to the Aruban community.
Like the student population, the teaching staff at the UA is made up of a diverse body of dedicated scholars from Aruba and abroad. Working closely together, this team of local and international scholars fosters the academic growth of the almost 700 students attending the UA. Additionally, to promote both faculty and student development, the UA offers a number of critical administrative, facilities, and individual services which are provided by a friendly and supportive UA staff.
The UA traces its roots back to 1988 when the start of the Faculty of Law (FdR) marked the beginning of the UA’s academic growth. In 1993, the Faculty for Accounting, Finance, and Marketing (FEF) started which is now the largest faculty of the UA, followed by the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies (FHTMS) in 2005. The UA’s most recent addition is the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) which began in 2009. In the coming years, the UA hopes to continue its expansion by offering cutting-edge degree programs to both local and international students.