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Scientific Director, Institute of Biology

The Faculty of Science is currently seeking a dynamic individual to serve as the Scientific Director of the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL). Reporting directly to the Faculty Board, the successful candidate will lead the institute as part of a three-member collegial board. Together guiding the institute towards its ambitious goals and ensuring its continued success.

The Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) is a globally focused hub for biology research and education, dedicated to pioneering fundamental and strategic studies that advance scientific understanding, address societal issues, and foster industrial opportunities. Centred around the mission 'Harnessing Biodiversity for Health,' the institute focuses on four central themes: Bioactive Molecules, Development & Disease, Evolution & Biodiversity and Host-Microbe Interactions. These themes connect research across the clusters Animal Sciences, Plant Sciences, and Microbial Sciences. Research spans diverse fields including Molecular and cellular biology, Microbiology, Genetics, Developmental Biology, Immunity, Evolutionary Biology, Behavioural biology, Ecology, Biotechnology and Drug discovery.

IBL’s educational programs, ranging from undergraduate to graduate levels, are closely integrated with ongoing research endeavours, offering students the chance to leverage the institute’s scientific expertise across various disciplines. Moreover, as a core entity within Leiden's biological research landscape, IBL collaborates extensively with partner institutes, such as the Leiden Institute of Chemistry, the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Institute of Environmental Sciences and the Leiden University Medical Centre, as well as external organizations such as NCB-Naturalis and Hortus botanicus Leiden. Their governance structure, characterized by a collegial Institute Board and active participation from faculty members, ensures effective decision-making and representation. With a commitment to international collaboration and a passion for addressing global challenges, IBL fosters a dynamic academic environment where curiosity thrives and innovation flourishes.

Job Description

Responsibilities and tasks of the Scientific Director

The Scientific Director (SD) chairs the institute board, comprising three members, collectively overseeing institute management with ultimate responsibility for scientific and educational processes, finances, and personnel policy. The SD focuses on research strategy, quality assurance, and academic hiring. Encouraging open dialogue, the SD cultivates a diverse, collaborative environment, guiding decisions with transparency and consensus while taking decisive action when needed. As a full professor, the SD balances research, teaching, and administrative duties, although the option to focus solely on administrative leadership is available. Specifically, the SD: chairs the board, provides strategic leadership, develops personnel policy, ensures financial stewardship, fosters collaboration, supports faculty strategy, and implements the institute’s PhD policy in coordination with the graduate school. Moreover, the SD advocates for the Faculty of Science and contributing to its strategic direction alongside other scientific directors.

Candidate Profile

The Scientific Director is a full professional, or is appointable as such, and brings commensurate leadership abilities and managerial experience. In addition, the successful candidate will showcase the following qualifications:

Experience and Leadership

• Is an internationally recognised scientist in a field relevant to IBL, with a background in biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or bioinformatics and its adjacent scientific fields;
• Has experience managing an institute, equivalent cluster, or large research group;
• Demonstrates proficiency in working within complex environments with diverse stakeholders and interests;
• Exhibits transparency, engages with staff needs, and can make tough decisions when necessary;
• Demonstrates self-reflective abilities and can provide perspective when needed;
• Delegates tasks effectively, fostering trust and leadership skills among younger staff members;

Culture Building and Communication

• Possesses strategic thinking abilities to unite individuals behind shared goals;
• Naturally connects different interests across various levels, fostering unity;
• Creates and sustains an open, diligent, and respectful culture of consultation and communication;
• Prioritizes diversity and inclusion within the institute's culture;
• Values all research areas equally within the institute;

Goal Setting and Results Orientation

• Sets clear expectations and goals for the institute;
• Works confidently, balanced, and focused towards achieving results;

Advocacy and Network

• Serves as a spokesperson for the institute, promoting its interests and vision within the faculty;
• Possesses a substantial national and/or international network.

The successful candidate has familiarity with Dutch academic culture and proficiency in the Dutch language.

Terms of Employment

The Scientific Director is appointed as a full professor in a permanent position. The role of Scientific Director is for a term of four years, with the possibility of one extension. The Scientific Director is appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Science, after consultation with the Rector Magnificus of the University.

The salary – depending on previous qualifications and experience – ranges from €6,099 to €10,721 gross per month for full-time employment (scale H2 or H1 according to the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities), with a further leadership supplement of four per cent of the maximum of scale 18.

Salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of eight per cent and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3 per cent. Leiden University offers professional and personal development programmes and an attractive package of secondary benefits. Using the Individual Choices Model, it is also possible to opt for personalised benefits. For more information, please visit

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The University’s Service Centre International Staff ensures a warm welcome to international staff and provides practical support. Facilities for sports, at the University Sports Centre, and childcare are available for university staff.

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