Scientific Director, Institute of Biology Leiden 

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.

For further details and the full vacancy click here