Full professor in Computer Systems

We’re looking for a Full Professor in Computer Systems at VU Amsterdam who combines academic excellence with leadership skills.

Your function

The position is part of the Computer Systems and Security section. 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.

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, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Research

• A PhD in Computer Science or a closely related field.
• An internationally recognised research profile with demonstrated impact and originality.
• A strong track record of successful, substantial external research funding (in a PI role).
• Leadership in international consortia, programmes, or scientific networks.
• A publication record that reflects a position as a thought leader in the field.
• A strong contribution to societal impact.

Teaching

• Demonstrated excellent teaching skills in both Bachelor’s and Master’s courses, as well as in supervising student projects.
• A clear and inspiring vision for education, including curriculum development and innovation.
• Extensive experience in supervising PhD candidates, including multiple fully completed doctorates as (co-)supervisor.
• In possession of the University Teaching Qualification (BKO).

Leadership

• Strategic leadership: contributing to the department’s long-term direction, staffing strategy, appointments, and overall vision.
• A broad leadership role that extends beyond one’s own discipline, in line with VU policy, including fostering social safety, promoting inclusivity, supporting talent development and taking responsibility for healthy group dynamics.
• An inspiring group leader who enables staff to grow and build a cohesive research team.
• Representation of the department at a high level in national and international bodies.

What do we offer?

We offer a Full Professor position (profile Hoogleraar 2, salary scale H2). 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).

We also offer 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.

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 workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges.

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.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. 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.