Assistant Professor Learning and Reasoning (Career Track)


Assistant Professor Learning and Reasoning (Career Track)
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Workplace	Amsterdam - North Holland - Netherlands
Category	Computer Science \| Economics
Position	Professor
Published	17 March 2026
Assistant Professor Learning and Reasoning (Career Track) Nieuwe Universiteitsgebouw (NU) Amsterdam 0.8 / 1 Faculty of Science Assistant Professor Postdoc Closes on 17-04-2026 Publishing date 17-03-2026 Do you want to contribute to the field of AI by combining learning and reasoning? To study, develop, and apply methods that combine data-driven and knowledge driven approaches? Your function Do you want to contribute to the field of Artificial Intelligence by combining the paradigms of data-driven learning and knowledge-driven reasoning, and to study, develop, and apply such methods? The Learning and Reasoning group treats these terms broadly, combining learning and reasoning methods beyond purely neural and purely symbolic approaches (neuro-symbolic systems). We span the spectrum from theoretical to applied AI, with application areas focusing on human-centric AI in critical domains, in particular medicine, content safety, and scientific innovation. We work with Large Language Models, graph-based machine learning, knowledge graphs, formal reasoners and many other methods. Are you keen to work in close collaboration with colleagues in our Learning and Reasoning group and with other Artificial Intelligence groups at the VU? Then, please apply for this Assistant Professor (career track) position at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). We welcome candidates who fit this broad profile of combining learning and reasoning. We expect candidates to explain how their profile fits within this broad theme. At the same time, the candidates are encouraged to define a specific focus within this broad area and to reflect on their positioning within the broader group focus. Your duties The position includes research, education, and management (40%, 40%, 20%) and contains, among others, the following responsibilities: conducting research in the broader theme of learning and reasoning supervising PhD candidates contributing to and writing research grant proposals teaching in the Artificial Intelligence Bachelor’s and master’s programmes of the Department of Computer Science supervising MSc/BSc student research projects in the AI programs contributing to organizational and management tasks Your profile a PhD degree in Artificial Intelligence or a relevant field, and ideally some years of scientific experience in post-doctoral research expertise that fits the theme of the Learning and Reasoning group an interdisciplinary mindset and a good team player; experience in collaboration across teams, e.g., in large collaborative projects, is a plus ideally, experience in teaching at the BSc and/or MSc level ideally, some experience in co-supervising Bsc/MSc/PhD candidates As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset. 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 to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements. What do we offer? A challenging career track position in a socially engaged organisation from Assistant Professor 2 to Assistant Professor 1. The initial contract will have a duration of 18 months. After a successful evaluation in your 15th month, permanent employment will be granted. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you: a salary of minimum € 4.728,00 (Scale 11) and maximum € 6.433,00 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Asisstant Professor 2. The exact salary depends on your education and experience a position for 0.8 - 1.0 FTE We also offer you 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 About the Computer Science Department The Department has approximately 180 staff members, including 90 PhD candidates. University research and teaching staff is a critical and essential basis for the functioning of the department, providing foundational education that helps determine the future of our students. Currently, we offer programs in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Information Sciences (BSc and MSc), Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (MSc), with a total of around 1000 new students each year. The department explicitly encourages inter- and cross disciplinary research, and expects the successful candidate to be able to collaborate with colleagues in other fields of Computer Science (e.g. Artificial Intelligence and Quantitative Data Analytics, Software and Sustainability, or System Security), as well as with colleagues from other institutes such as CWI and the UvA. A large share of interdisciplinary research with the department is embedded in the Network Institute of Vrije Universiteit, covering disciplines such as Social sciences, Humanities, and Economics. The Department also actively participates in the Amsterdam AI ecosystem, a broad network of knowledge institutions, companies and public organisations, and is a node in the European ELLIS network of excellence in AI. 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 and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. 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. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. 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. Learn more about our codes of conduct We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education. Diversity Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding. We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services. Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community. Interested Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application by 17 April. Vacancy questions If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact: Name: Annette ten Teije Position: Professor E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: +31 20 5987721 Name: Filip Ilievski Position: Asst. Professor E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: +31 20 5987721 Relocation support If you have any questions regarding moving to Amsterdam, and working at VU Amsterdam, you may contact [email protected] . Applications received by e-mail will not be considered. Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated. Your function Do you want to contribute to the field of Artificial Intelligence by combining the paradigms of data-driven learning and knowledge-driven reasoning, and to study, develop, and apply such methods? The Learning and Reasoning group treats these terms broadly, combining learning and reasoning methods beyond purely neural and purely symbolic approaches (neuro-symbolic systems). We span the spectrum from theoretical to applied AI, with application areas focusing on human-centric AI in critical domains, in particular medicine, content safety, and scientific innovation. We work with Large Language Models, graph-based machine learning, knowledge graphs, formal reasoners and many other methods. Are you keen to work in close collaboration with colleagues in our Learning and Reasoning group and with other Artificial Intelligence groups at the VU? Then, please apply for this Assistant Professor (career track) position at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). We welcome candidates who fit this broad profile of combining learning and reasoning. We expect candidates to explain how their profile fits within this broad theme. At the same time, the candidates are encouraged to define a specific focus within this broad area and to reflect on their positioning within the broader group focus. Your duties The position includes research, education, and management (40%, 40%, 20%) and contains, among others, the following responsibilities: conducting research in the broader theme of learning and reasoning supervising PhD candidates contributing to and writing research grant proposals teaching in the Artificial Intelligence Bachelor’s and master’s programmes of the Department of Computer Science supervising MSc/BSc student research projects in the AI programs contributing to organizational and management tasks Your profile a PhD degree in Artificial Intelligence or a relevant field, and ideally some years of scientific experience in post-doctoral research expertise that fits the theme of the Learning and Reasoning group an interdisciplinary mindset and a good team player; experience in collaboration across teams, e.g., in large collaborative projects, is a plus ideally, experience in teaching at the BSc and/or MSc level ideally, some experience in co-supervising Bsc/MSc/PhD candidates As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset. 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 to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements. What do we offer? A challenging career track position in a socially engaged organisation from Assistant Professor 2 to Assistant Professor 1. The initial contract will have a duration of 18 months. After a successful evaluation in your 15th month, permanent employment will be granted. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you: a salary of minimum € 4.728,00 (Scale 11) and maximum € 6.433,00 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Asisstant Professor 2. The exact salary depends on your education and experience a position for 0.8 - 1.0 FTE We also offer you 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 About the Computer Science Department The Department has approximately 180 staff members, including 90 PhD candidates. University research and teaching staff is a critical and essential basis for the functioning of the department, providing foundational education that helps determine the future of our students. Currently, we offer programs in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Information Sciences (BSc and MSc), Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (MSc), with a total of around 1000 new students each year. The department explicitly encourages inter- and cross disciplinary research, and expects the successful candidate to be able to collaborate with colleagues in other fields of Computer Science (e.g. Artificial Intelligence and Quantitative Data Analytics, Software and Sustainability, or System Security), as well as with colleagues from other institutes such as CWI and the UvA. A large share of interdisciplinary research with the department is embedded in the Network Institute of Vrije Universiteit, covering disciplines such as Social sciences, Humanities, and Economics. The Department also actively participates in the Amsterdam AI ecosystem, a broad network of knowledge institutions, companies and public organisations, and is a node in the European ELLIS network of excellence in AI. 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 and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. 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. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. 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. Learn more about our codes of conduct We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education. Diversity Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding. We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services. Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community. Questions about the vacancy? Please contact Annette ten Teije HGL +31 20 5987721 Send an email Interested Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application by 17 April. Vacancy questions If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact: Name: Annette ten Teije Position: Professor E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: +31 20 5987721 Name: Filip Ilievski Position: Asst. Professor E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: +31 20 5987721 Relocation support If you have any questions regarding moving to Amsterdam, and working at VU Amsterdam, you may contact [email protected] . Applications received by e-mail will not be considered. Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated. Questions about the vacancy? 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In your application, please refer to myScience.org and reference JobID 3218726.