Senior academic staff in mathematical optimization

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20 000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6 000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.

The Department of Mathematics in the Faculty of Science has the following full-time vacancy: senior academic staff in the field of Mathematical Optimization

Position

You will contribute to the University of Antwerp’s three core tasks: education (40%), research (40%) and services (20%). Your role also includes organisational and managerial aspects.

Education

• You will provide high-quality education in mathematical optimization in the bachelor and the master Mathematics. You are also willing to take on an assignment in teaching for other programmes at the University of Antwerp. The expected teaching load is 24 ECTS credits.
• Your teaching role will evolve along with the study programmes.
• You will play a role in developing activating, student-centred and competence-driven programme components and study programmes.
• You will supervise students and their bachelor and master dissertations.

Research

• You will expand high-quality scientific research in mathematical optimization. You will develop, analyze and implement optimization methods for contemporary scientific problems and industrial applications. A proven interest in financial and actuarial applications is of added value.
• You will initiate as member of the research group Applied Mathematics new lines of research and coordinate the progress of scientific research projects.
• You will acquire and manage national and international research funding.
• You strengthen the links between the Department of Mathematics and other research groups, departments and faculties within the University of Antwerp as well with companies.
• You will publish in international journals and specialist literature.
• You will develop an international scientific network.
• You will supervise PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.

Services

• You will play a role in the provision of both academic services and service to society, within the institution and externally. You will participate in student recruitment, boards and committees, popular science communication, and so on.

Organisation and leadership

• You will accept coordinating responsibilities in the areas of education, research and/or service provision and you will contribute to policy.
• Your leadership style will be motivating and coaching. You will be attentive to your employees’ growth and development processes.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in in Mathematics, Mathematical Engineering, Operational Research, or equivalent.
• You can demonstrate several years of postdoctoral experience (or equivalent).
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• Your research excellence in mathematical optimization is illustrated through scientific publications in applied mathematical journals with high impact, international collaborations and participation and organisation of conferences or workshops.
• A track record of valorisation of research results through industrial research projects, spin-off companies or patents is an advantage.
• You have a proven track record in obtaining research funding.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision. You are motivated to develop your teaching skills further through the professionalisation opportunities available.
• You have a wide experience in academic teaching at the bachelor and master level of Mathematics or equivalent.
• If you do not speak Dutch, the administrative language of the university, you are expected to obtain a CEFR B2 level of proficiency in Dutch within 5 years of your appointment. You will initially teach in Dutch and/or English. Proficiency in Dutch and/or English at CEFR level C1 (language certificate or Dutch and/or English secondary school diploma, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree) is required. If you are not Dutch-speaking, we expect you to achieve the CEFR level C1 Dutch no later than 8 years after appointment. The University of Antwerp supports international staff members through an integration trajectory and offers tailor-made language coaching in compliance with Flanders’ statutory language regulations.
• You demonstrate leadership potential and organisational skills.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

What we offer

• We offer a full-time appointment as a member of the Senior Academic Staff (Dutch: Zelfstandig Academisch Personeel, ZAP). The level of your appointment (assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor) is determined on the basis of your professional experience and academic qualifications. Junior ZAP members are usually offered temporary appointment as a tenure track assistant professor for five years, which is then followed by permanent appointment as an associate professor. Appointment as an associate professor or higher leads to permanent appointment (tenure) after a maximum of three years. A favourable performance appraisal is always required for permanent appointment.
• We offer, after a positive evaluation of a PhD project you conducted, an attractive starter package consisting of a four-year PhD project and €15 000 of consumables to boost your research from the start of your employment at the University of Antwerp.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scales for Senior Academic Staff.
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned start date is 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible after that date.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Middelheim in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here and discover all the other benefits.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 16 July 2026 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • your motivation letter
  • the completed job application appendix for ZAP
  • your academic CV
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure. If you are invited to the selection interview, you will also be asked to propose a topic for a four-year PhD project.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Tim Verdonck, tim.verdonck@uantwerpen.be, chair of the Department of Mathematics.