Full Professor Artificial Intelligence for Biology

Welcome to Maastricht University! 

The world is rapidly changing, and we’re growing along with it to meet this change. Your work makes a difference here, whether you're exploring the future as a researcher, inspiring students in the classroom, or helping shape everything that makes our education and research possible.  

Full Professor Artificial Intelligence for Biology

• Our goal: At the Maastricht Center for Systems Biology and Bioinformatics (MaCSBio), we are launching a new strategic research theme: Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Biology. To bring this vision to life, we are looking for a Full Professor who dares to push boundaries—an ambitious leader with expertise in applying machine learning and artificial intelligence to unlock the complexity of biological systems. 

• Your colleagues: At MaCSBio, you will be part of the young and dynamic Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) — a community of collaborative, entrepreneurial, and passionate researchers and educators. We are looking for you to shape a strategic vision for AI for Biology and to lead this new research theme with creativity and confidence in a rapidly evolving academic landscape. 

Are you ready to take a leading position in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or Systems Biology? And passionate about developing and applying AI to unravel the complexity and heterogeneity of biological systems? Whether your interest is in micro-organisms, plants, or humans, if you’re bringing bold ideas to AI for Biology, we encourage you to apply.

As Full Professor, you will lead ambitious interdisciplinary research teams, secure external funding, and turn cutting-edge discoveries into tangible innovations. You will also shape the future of education: teaching and coordinating courses within the Faculty of Science and Engineering — especially the 2-year Master’s in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics at MaCSBio — and mentoring the next generation of researchers in this exciting, fast-evolving field. 

What you do 

AI is rapidly transforming the way we analyse biological data. It goes far beyond prediction or classification — it opens the door to capturing the full complexity and diversity of life.  

At MaCSBio, you will be at the heart of this transformation. By combining advanced mathematical and computational methods, we aim to understand, simulate, and even manipulate biological systems. Machine learning and AI will be your key tools, with exciting opportunities to build synergy with the mechanistic modelling approaches already established at MaCSBio. You will: 

- Shape and lead this emerging research theme in close collaboration with colleagues in areas such as Neuro-AI, AI for Medicine, AI for Biodiversity, Systems Biology, and Algorithms. 

- Develop strong links with partners across the Faculty of Science and Engineering — including Advanced Computing Sciences (DACS), Brightlands Future Farming Institute (BFFI), System Earth Science (SES), and Cognitive Neurosciences (CN) — depending on your interests and expertise. 

- Build bridges between AI and experimental data, accelerating breakthroughs that matter for science and society. 

Beyond academia, you will be part of a vibrant ecosystem. MaCSBio is strongly connected to the four Brightlands Campuses, giving you access to state-of-the-art facilities and data in: 

- Agri-food (Brightlands Venlo Campus) 

- Biotechnology (Brightlands Sittard-Geleen Campus) 

- Human health and neuroscience (Brightlands Maastricht Campus) 

- Innovation and societal impact (Brightlands Heerlen Campus) 

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.  

What you bring 

We’re not looking for checkboxes—we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this? 

- PhD and domain expertise. You hold a PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, systems biology, biology, applied mathematics, computer science, or a related field, giving you the foundation to lead cutting-edge AI for Biology research. 

- Ambitious leader. You aim to take a leading position in AI for Biology and inspire others to reach higher alongside you. 

- Research driver. You have a proven track record in securing and managing externally funded projects, turning vision into tangible scientific impact. 

- Scientific achiever. Your publication record demonstrates excellence, rigor, and thought leadership in your field. 

- Connected collaborator. You maintain a strong scientific network and know how to leverage relationships to create new opportunities. 

- Dedicated educator. You bring experience teaching at BSc and MSc levels and hold, or will obtain, the University Teaching Qualification (BKO) within your first two years. 

- Visionary and collaborative personality. You combine ambition, vision, and a collaborative mindset, creating an environment where teams feel challenged and supported. 

- Fluent communicator. You are fully proficient in English and can translate complex ideas into clear, engaging narratives. 

What we offer  

As a Full Professor Artificial Intelligence for Biology at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university of the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:  

- Good employment conditions. The position is in graded in scale H2 with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from € 7202,- to € 10.441,- gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 

- At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 

- As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 

- Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'Recognition and Reward'. 

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. 

Maastricht University  

Why work at Maastricht University?  

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.    

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.  

With over 23,300 students and more than 5,400 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.  

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.    

Faculty of Science and Engineering   

At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development. FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention. The Faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). At FSE, over 450 staff members and almost 3700 students gather to explore exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work! 

Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology and Bioinformatics 

At the Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology and Bioinformatics (MaCSBio) we strive to perform cutting edge research in the interdisciplinary fields of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics. We aim to understand, simulate and manipulate biological systems using advanced mathematical and computational methods that can be data-driven, or biology-based. MaCSBio has been growing steadily since its foundation in 2015 and current research themes include Systems BioMedicine, Computational Neuroscience, and Systems Biology of Plants. We are closely involved in several Bachelor programs and host the 2-year Master in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics. Click here https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/macsbio for more information about MaCSBio. 

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses   

Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen and Venlo, the homes of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening on each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services. 

Curious? 

Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Prof. Ilja Arts (Scientific Director MaCSBio) at ilja.arts@maastrichtuniversity.nlilja.arts@maastrichtuniversity.nl  for more information. Do you have any questions regarding the procedure, please contact Vicky Sterk (Senior Corporate Recruiter) at Vicky.sterk@maastrichtuniversity.nlVicky.sterk@maastrichtuniversity.nl. 

Applying? 

Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new professor? Apply now, no later than October 26 for this position.  

Please upload your CV, motivation letter, research plan and publication list.  

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized. 

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.