Professor of Open Science from a Majority World Perspective

You will have a leading role in initiating, coordinating and executing research and education and developing novel scientific methods and approaches in open science from a Majority world perspective. You help develop a holistic, long-term view of open science in the context of the capacity building mission of ITC through engagement with many stakeholders and organizations. You have a professor position at a university in the Majority world with working relationships with ITC. You are an advocate of the transition to Open Science and contribute to a critical analysis of the benefits and potential pitfalls.

The Chair on Open Science from a Majority World Perspective will research such aspects in the context of the digital transition the field of geo-information science and Earth observation is experiencing and how this is reflected in a FAIR proposition to widely adopt and implement Open Science principles.

You are expected to take an active role in the education that aligns with the Open Science direction in the context of ITC’s earth observation and geoinformation field as well as the general curricula and lead focus group discussions on for example geo-ethics in relation to Open Science.

You will take an active role in the Faculty ITC to develop a proposition on Open Science in the context of both the mission as well as the work field of ITC. You will not have formal management tasks of individuals nor teams. You are expected to contribute to the education and research in ITC and to strengthen the national and international profile of the GEO field and visibility of the University of Twente. You will further actively strengthen the national and international embedding in relevant (institutional) networks (e.g., the Open Science Community Twente and the International Network of Open Science Communities), and will actively contribute to an inspiring climate about Open Science at ITC and ITC’s international network.

The specific tasks are:

• Contribute to the ITC educational and research program in various ways.
• Participate in the courses in the MSc and PhD programmes.
• Strengthen the effectiveness of Open Science programmes of ITC within the context of international mission and network of ITC.
• Take a lead role in national and international academic and policy discussions on vision and strategy for Open Science.
• Strengthen the link between the UT and your home university in the Majority World.

• You hold a PhD in a field that relates to Earth observation and geo-information science.
• You are a professor in a university in the Majority World collaborating with ITC.
• Your international network shows a strong affinity with GEO organizations driven by the use of open science for society.
• You have extensive experience with geospatial sciences.
• You have a clear vision on the role of scientific, interdisciplinary research using open science principles in a developing world context.
• You also have demonstrated skills as an enthusiastic and creative teacher and coach to guide and supervise young researchers and students.
• You have affinity with the education, training and capacity development related mission of ITC.

We offer you an inspiring and challenging international and academic environment. You will be employed in a part-time position (maximum 0.2 fte) for a period of four years. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO-NU) of the Dutch Universities.

The position of the new chair (0.2 fte) is externally financed by the ITC Foundation for a period of four years. There is no personnel associated with this Chair nor is there any equipment necessary. Given that the selected candidate will combine this maximum one-day a week appointment with a four day a week appointment in a University on another continent the modus operandi will be that part of the time is in several blocks (weeks) in the Netherlands while some time can be allotted to online activities and time can be spent at the home university by receiving incoming staff and students. Thus costs for travel and accommodation are foreseen.

The Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) of the University of Twente is recognized worldwide for achievements in education, research and capacity development in the field of geo-information science and Earth observation. In the ITC MSc and PhD programs, international students from over 170 countries are educated to be professionals, capable of acquiring knowledge and translating this into practical applications for solving real-world problems. The research and capacity development activities of ITC align with the Sustainable Development Goals, notably Zero Hunger, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Life on Land, Clean Water and Sanitation and Climate Action. The Disaster Risk Reduction research at ITC is closely linked to the Sendai Framework for DRR and includes several research chairs in the fields of Natural Hazard and Disaster Risk Management, Post Disaster Reconstruction and Spatial Planning and Governance for risk reduction.

ITC’s mission is “to empower society through capacity development, particularly in less developed countries, and to co-create geospatial solutions that address global challenges.” Our Vision is a fair and sustainable world where geospatial knowledge and solutions are an integral part of addressing humankind’s complex challenges, and we contribute to this world by co-designing a digital society and a fair society. ITC’s activities are currently transitioning towards a more “open approach” , reflecting our capacity development mission through equal partnerships.

In 2021 ITC celebrated its 70th Anniversary. To commemorate that, the Faculty wishes to appoint a part-time professor from one of our strategic partnering universities in the Majority World. The professor will have a strong track record in geo-information sciences and/or Earth observation with a focus on one or more of the research themes of ITC. The primary focus of this Chair will be to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of Open Science on ITC’s domain from a Majority World Perspective. We offer a part-time professorship at ITC (University of Twente) complementing a professorship the candidate holds in a university in the Majority World preferably in Africa.

This Chair has been made possible by the Stichting ITC Foundation and it is coined to the founding father of ITC: Former Prime Minister Professor Willem Schermerhorn.

About the organization

The Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) provides international postgraduate education, research and project services in the field of geo-information science and earth observation. Our mission is capacity development, where we apply, share and facilitate the effective use of geo-information and earth observation knowledge and tools for tackling global wicked problems. Our purpose is to enable our many partners around the world to track and trace the impact – and the shifting causes and frontiers – of today’s global challenges. Our vision is of a world in which researchers, educators, and students collaborate across disciplinary and geographic divides with governmental and non-governmental organisations, institutes, businesses, and local populations to surmount today’s complex global challenges and to contribute to sustainable, fair, and digital societies.

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