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Bayi Glacier in Qilian Mountain, China (Credit: Xiaoming Wang, distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

Job advertisement Full Professor of Natural Hazards and Risk Management

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Full Professor of Natural Hazards and Risk Management

Position
Full Professor of Natural Hazards and Risk Management

Employer

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna


Location
Wien, Austria

Sector
Academic

Relevant division
Natural Hazards (NH)

Type
Full time

Level
Experienced

Salary
Open

Preferred education
Other

Application deadline
15 November 2024

Posted
24 October 2024

Job description

The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU)
is currently inviting applications for the position of a Full Professor of
Natural Hazards and Risk Management
The Department of Landscape, Water and Infrastructure Sciences of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) seeks to appoint a Full Professor of Natural Hazards and Risk Management with 1st October 2025. The position is offered in accordance with §98 of the 2002 Universities Act in the form of an ongoing contract.
The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, the “Alma Mater Viridis”, is the University of Sustainability and Life Sciences. It is BOKU’s task to make a key contribution to the conservation and protection of resources for future generations through its wide variety of expertise. Combining natural sciences, engineering, social and economic sciences, its aim is to increase knowledge of the ecologically and economically sustainable use of natural resources. With 10,000 students and over 2,900 staff members, BOKU is one of Europe’s leading life science universities.
The professorship is assigned to the Institute for Mountain Risk Engineering, which will be part of the new Department of Landscape, Water and Infrastructure – consisting of 17 institutes – from 1st January 2025. At the Department, the Institute of Mountain Risk Engineering represents the core competences of (i) the Bachelor’s degree programmes ‘Forestry’ and ‘Environmental Engineering’, (ii) the Master’s degree programmes ‘Mountain Hazards/Torrent and Avalanche Control’ and ‘Civil Engineering and Water Management’, as well as (iii) the doctoral school HADRIAN (Hazards and Risks in Alpine Regions under Global Change).
The focus of this professorship in teaching and research is on the protection of Alpine livelihoods and hazard prevention, making it unique in Austria. The aim is to analyse mountain hazard processes as well as to develop suitable protection measures and prevention strategies in the scientific and technical fields. Professional co-operation within the department and with other, related departments at BOKU is desired.
In teaching, the post holder’s responsibilities include teaching in relevant Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral programmes, as well as supervising Bachelor’s and Master’s theses and dissertations.
On the basis of a completed university doctoral degree in engineering or natural sciences, the successful applicant should

  • methodically and conceptually analyse risks posed by alpine natural hazards, taking into account changing framework conditions,
  • be able to solve applied problems in the field of protective measures, warning systems or prevention strategies,
  • have experience with laboratory experiments and field work, as well as utilising and further developing the existing infrastructure at the Institute of Mountain Risk Engineering,
  • have international academic experience with hydrological and geological hazards in mountain regions
    in both, teaching and research.
    Job specifications
    Page 2 of 3
  • Venia docendi or international equivalent or a subject-relevant academic qualification, that is equivalent to a habilitation.
  • Relevant experience and competence in teaching, guidance in scientific work, as well as the supervision of junior scientists (PhD students).
  • Subject-specific research experience, national and international reputation, as well as ability to network.
  • Excellent publication achievements in the scientific field.
  • Sound international research experience.
  • Teaching in German and English.
  • Experience in the successful acquisition, execution and management of research projects.
  • Cooperation with national and international research institutions and with relevant partners from public services and business.
  • Management and interpersonal skills including skills in gender and diversity management, inclusion and accessibility in communication; communication and team skills.
  • Participation in public relations.
  • Participation in relevant focus and cooperation programs of the University.
  • Participation in the self-governance of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna.
  • Excellent knowledge of written and spoken German and English or willingness to learn German in the first two years of an appointment.
    For more information about this position, please contact the Deputy-Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Natrual Hazards, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christian Zangerl, phone: +43 1 47654 87211, e-mail: christian.j.zangerl@boku.ac.at
    Please submit your application as single PDF file (LastName_FirstName.pdf) containing the information mentioned below in English via email to the Rectorate of the University of Natural Ressources and Life Sciences Vienna (berufungen@boku.ac.at) no later than 15th November 2024.
    Please include the following documents with your application:
  • Brief explanation of why you believe yourself to be particularly suitable for this position (max. 1 page A4)
  • CV including ORCID and details of professional, teaching and research activities, including a teaching portfolio – further information is available at http://short.boku.ac.at/teachingportfolio
  • Draft concept for research and teaching; presentation of planned research priorities (max. 4 pages A4)
  • List of publications (referenced / not referenced), presentations and projects
  • Copies of 5 recent publications that you consider particularly important
    By submitting the application, you also agree to the participation of an external recruitment consultant in the selection process.
    The BOKU University, Vienna is seeking to increase the number of its female faculty members and therefore, qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply. Women are given priority when qualifications are equal, except in cases where there are outweighing factors concerning another candidate.
    People with disabilities and appropriate qualifications are specifically encouraged to apply.
    Page 3 of 3
    The employment contract is classified as group A1 of the Collective Agreement for University Employees. Minimum gross yearly salary: € 89,075; the actual annual gross salary is subject to negotiation.
    More information on this position and about BOKU and this department can be found on the website: https://boku.ac.at/