UvA launches search for new rector magnificus
In three months, Karen Maex will be leaving as rector magnificus of the UvA. Whether there will be a replacement by then is not yet known, but the search has now begun. The application process was initiated with the placement of the advertisement. Candidates can apply as of this week. Deadline: May 3.
‘This person must be a bridge builder who connects the deans, the departments within the UvA and external organizations and companies, someone who recognizes and uses the advantages of a decentralized organization without losing sight of the community, and who has extensive experience in leading complex (improvement) processes in education and research’. It must be someone who values ‘sustainability, justice, equal opportunity and social safety’ and has a demonstrable interest in working with representative advisory bodies.
Impeccable reputation
Of course, it must also be a person with an impeccable reputation in science and administration and who ‘actively contributes to current issues such as housing, student intake and funding problems’. The rector must also ‘know how to inspire and convince people, maintain open communication and be accessible to students and staff.’
Here, in a nutshell, is the profile of the new rector magnificus of the UvA, for whom the search started this week with the posting online of the vacancy left open by the departure of Karen Maex. She is leaving the UvA mid-July and returning to Flanders.
An application committee of six people has been set up, two of whom represent the representative advisory bodies (a student from the student council and an employee from the works council), two represent the Supervisory Board (in any case chairperson Marise Voskens), a member of the Executive Board (chair Geert ten Dam) and a dean. For filling this rector position, the university is working with Chasse executive search in The Hague, who is supervising the selection procedure.
Maximum remuneration
To avoid having to search for two new members of the Executive Board at the same time in two years' time, it makes it easier that Maex is leaving earlier than planned. Her appointment, like that of Board Chair Geert ten Dam, was to end in mid-2024, but on 15 July she will take the train to Leuven for the last time. Whether the new rector will have been found by then, depends in part on the course of the application process.
The intention is for the new rector to start on September 1 or ‘earlier, if possible.’ The salary that the new rector will earn is bound by the Dutch law on the Standards on Numeration, where the ‘general remuneration maximum’ applies. In 2020, the salary of Rector Magnificus Karen Maex was just over €200,000. The rector magnificus is appointed for four years with a possible reappointment for another four years.
Internal candidates
It is common practice at the UvA (and at most universities) for the rector magnificus to be recruited from within the university, as can be seen by looking at the past 25 years: Karen Maex (2016-2022, professor/dean), Dymph van den Boom (2007-2016, professor/dean), Paul van der Heijden (2002-2007/professor), Jaap Franse (1997-2002/professor). Thus, a UvA professor or dean may soon be pulled out of the hat to become rector magnificus.
The rector magnificus forms part of the university board, together with the chair of the board (Geert ten Dam) and a general board member (Jan Lintsen). The three board members divide tasks among themselves, but generally, the rector magnificus is responsible for the content of education and research at the university. You can only become rector magnificus if you are a professor or are eligible to become a professor.
