The University of Aruba is a young, dynamic, and growing university that was founded in 1988 and now consists of four faculties, namely the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Accounting, Finance & Marketing, the Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management Studies, and the Faculty of Arts and Science. Our primary activity is to provide high-quality education.

For our SISSTEM (Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, and Engineering (STEM)) program, we are looking for a highly motivated:

Assistant/Associate Professor – Island Sustainability & Multidisciplinary Research

(1,0 fte.)

Your main responsibilities are: 

As an Assistant/Associate Professor, you will:

• Teach and (co-)develop Bachelor and Master level courses within the SISSTEM programs, working closely with other lecturers and (PhD) researchers;
• Supervise and coach student research projects, theses, and internships, including methodological guidance and research quality assurance;
• Contribute to and strengthen SISSTEM’s applied research agenda in island sustainability, including (but not limited to) water–energy–food systems, ecology, circular economy, climate adaptation, coastal/marine solutions, resilient infrastructure, health & well-being, and other data-driven sustainability;
• Work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, collaborating across disciplines (e.g., engineering, environmental science, data science, social sciences, policy, business) and across different entities (government, utilities, NGOs, private sector);
• Engage with local, regional, and international stakeholders to co-create research, field pilots, and/or living-lab type projects relevant to Aruba and other Small Island States;
• Contribute to research outputs (peer-reviewed publications, reports) and to funding proposals and project development;
• Participate in academic service activities and, where relevant, program development tasks within a small university setting.

The ideal candidate:

• Holds a PhD in Sustainability Science, Engineering, Environmental/Climate Sciences, Biology, Data Science, or a closely related field;
• Has proven experience in teaching, student coaching (typically 3+ years), and research;
• Demonstrates research experience relevant to island sustainability, evidenced by at least two of the following:

1. Peer-reviewed publications and/or applied research reports in the context of island sustainability,
2. Participation in island-based pilots/living labs or SIDS-relevant projects,
3. Grant or proposal contributions in island sustainability themes,
4. Stakeholder-engaged research outcomes in island contexts.

• Has documented experience working in multidisciplinary teams, for example, through cross-disciplinary projects, co-authored work across disciplines, or research consortia that combine technical and societal dimensions;
• Has strong supervisory skills, is a team player, but can also work independently;
• Has excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Strongly preferred:

• Experience collaborating with government/industry/community partners in applied sustainability projects;
• Experience with field data collection and analysis in real-world settings (pilot operations, monitoring campaigns, techno-economic or impact assessment);
• A clear research direction that complements and expands SISSTEM’s agenda.

We offer a pleasant working environment within a small university with around 800 students that is in full development. The small scale of our organization means we offer a diverse range of work and roles, from teaching and conducting research to holding administrative positions.

This position involves a 40-hour workweek and a salary in accordance with the University of Aruba's remuneration scheme. The appointment is for a contract period of one (1) to three (3) years with the possibility of a contract extension based on a good performance evaluation and unchanged organization conditions. Part of our secondary employment conditions includes 30 vacation days, 13 ATV days, a vacation allowance, a pension plan, additional health insurance, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Interested? Submit your application through https://careers.portal.ua.aw/ before April 30, 2026. If you need further information regarding the position, please contact us at stem@ua.aw or hrm@ua.aw. One (or more) job interviews, a medical exam, an assessment test, and a certificate of good conduct are required by our application rules and are a standard part of our recruitment and selection procedure.