New interdisciplinary Centre Interdisciplinary Centre for Environmental Systems

How to participate

Please submit your concept for the Ideas Competition by 1 October 2023 (12pm CET).

Please provide:

  • an outline proposal (max. 10 pages in English) and
  • a curriculum vitae in a tabular or narrative form (max. 3 pages in English)
  • a list of publications, highlighting five major publications or policy documents.

The concept convincingly sets out in particular the following:

  • an ambitious research vision for a centre that excels at both basic research and real-world applications in the field of Environmental Systems Sciences;
  • a concept to attract the best talent from around the world; and
  • an innovative approach to cooperation between science and the public and private sectors, and the wider public.

  • Evaluation criteria

    The concepts will be evaluated along the following criteria:

    • Ambition and realisability to become an international centre of excellence and reference centre in Environmental Systems Sciences, including the interdisciplinary and systemic relevance to a sustainable society and economy;
    • International perspective, collaborative network and long-term relevance of the research topic and the potential for a rapid build-up. A contribution to international initiatives such as the European Green Deal[1].
    • Contribution to higher education and continuing academic education;
    • Integration and contribution to the Luxembourg socio-economic system and its strategy plans (e.g. National Research and Innovation Strategy[2], National Energy and Climate Plan[3], Stratégie pour une économie circulaire[4], Spatial visions for the low-carbon and sustainable future[5] or Luxembourg Stratégie[6] which provides a large list of ongoing national strategies[7]).
    • Collaboration potential within the University of Luxembourg, based on both existing scientific activities (across the fields of STEM and SSH[8] in its Faculties and Interdisciplinary Centers), University’s research infrastructures such as the Facility for High-Performance Computing (HPC) and data science, the University’s Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS) etc. Consideration of the collaboration potential with the Luxembourg Institutes (LIST, LIH, LISER)[9] and other stakeholders involved in environmental sciences in Luxembourg[10].

  • What we expect

    • The applicant is an integrative thinker who combines an outstanding academic record with the strategic ability to think long-term, and beyond her/his own area of expertise.
    • She/he has a proven experience of leadership and team management of academic/research institutions, including the building of organisational structures.
    • She/he has a track record of attracting competitive and collaborative funding for large research projects/programs on the national and international level.
    • Candidates must be compelling in their communication and be quickly able to gain credibility with internal and external stakeholders through their advocacy- and relationship-building skills.

  • Your Profile

    • PhD degree and internationally recognised reputation and expertise based on the quality of her/his research work in international peer-reviewed publications, books or policy papers;
    • Proven experience of leadership and/or management of research institutions;
    • Ability to gather, lead and stimulate a multicultural team with members from inside and outside the University of Luxembourg;
    • Proven experience in acquiring and leading large research projects/programmes;
    • High level international network;
    • Excellent record of funding; fundraising experience and previous interactions with industry or the public sector are assets.
    • In addition to English, a passive command of French – as the language of Luxembourgish law – is required. Holders of positions will be provided a period of two years to learn French if needed. The University will provide a budget for intensive private lessons. Knowledge of Luxembourgish or other languages may be an advantage.

This is a full-time position. The appointment as Director is made by the Board of Governors of the University of Luxembourg for an initial period of five years. The new Director of the IC for Environmental Systems will be given tenured Full Professor status and receive an attractive starting package.

All concepts and curriculum vitae will be evaluated by the Finding Committee composed of eight international and independent experts. A second phase will be dedicated to the actual recruitment process of the founding director.

Read the full documentation for applicants (Strategic research context of Luxembourg)

For further information and detailed application guidelines, please contact environmentalsystems@minervasearch.com.

Please submit your concepts to environmentalsystems@minervasearch.com.

Resources to download

[1] The European Commission adopted a set of proposals to make the EU’s climate, energy, transport, and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. More information on Delivering the European Green Deal.

[2] Sustainable and Responsible Development is one of the four interdisciplinary research priority areas to prepare Luxembourg for the future: https://gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/documents/actualites/2020/02-fevrier/25-mesr-strategie-recherche-innovation/mesr-strategy-research-innovation.pdf

[3] Luxembourg’s Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan for 2021-2030 mandated by the European Union to each of its member states in order for the EU to meet its overall greenhouse gases emissions targets: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/default/files/documents/lu_final_necp_main_en.pdf

[4] Stratégie pour une économie circulaire Luxembourg-2021, reconciling innovation and data driven economy with sustainable use of resources, nutrients and material flow, and climate protection : https://gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/documents/actualites/2021/02-fevrier/08-strategie-economie-circulaire/20210208-Strategie-economie-circulaire-Luxembourg.pdf

[5] Luxembourg in Transition – Spatial visions for the low-carbon and sustainable future of the Luxembourg functional region which aims to gather strategic spatial planning proposals and produce “towards 2050” ecological transition scenarios for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and neighbouring border territories: (https://luxembourgintransition.lu/en/)

[6] Luxembourg Stratégie (https://luxstrategie.gouvernement.lu/fr.html) will broaden and deepen the reflections launched in the context of the third industrial revolution strategic study (https://www.troisiemerevolutionindustrielle.lu) , in order to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and resilient economy and will set up the continuation of the discussions within the framework of an open forum with a holistic and collaborative approach,”

[7] Tableau de suivi des stratégies nationales, Luxembourg Stratégie (Travail en cours), version du 20.07.2022. (https://luxstrategie.gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/documents/tableaux-de-suivi-prospectifs/tableau-strategies-nationales-ls-200722.pdf)

[8] Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) & Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)

[9] Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST, www.list.lu), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH, www.lih.lu), Luxembourg Institute for Socio-Economic Research (LISER, www.liser.lu).

[10] Relevant information on the Luxembourg research and innovation ecosystem: https://www.fnr.lu/research-in-luxembourg/#1461325462687-4024382d-5f20