Professor and Chair to lead the Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group (FNP)

Wageningen University & Research is looking for an inspiring and dynamic 

Professor and Chair to lead the Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group (FNP) (0.8-1.0 fte) 

The Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group (FNP) develops knowledge and expertise, and teaches on forest and nature conservation policies and governance. The Chair Group has a specific focus on 

• Forest and nature conservation governance, including the role of power and knowledge;
• Human-nature interactions, including peoples’ experiences and values of nature;
• Management of forest value chains and markets, including the role of business actors.

As the new chair you will further advance an innovative research and education programme at Wageningen University. You will acquire research funding and teach and supervise students and PhD candidates. You will develop an internationally relevant research programme, drawing on the expertise of the current team. The new chair must therefore be able to and willing to encourage research from different theoretical and methodological research traditions, and stimulate the development of a shared mission and vision.

You will ensure the Group continues to grow into a supportive working environment for young and established academics. You are a successful applicant if you are able to further strengthen the Chair Group’s profile in national and international networks, as well as effectively and constructively lead the Group’s internal processes. 

Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group

The Chair Group Forest and Nature Conservation Policy is composed of 9 tenured and tenure-track scientific staff, 2 lecturers, a research and teaching assistant, 2 support staff and about 30 PhD candidates. FNP is part of the department of Environmental Sciences within our University. The Department provides research and academic education on the environment: nature, landscape, land use, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, water management, and the various competing claims on space.

With its emphasis on forest and nature conservation policy, the Group is well positioned to collaborate with other environmental and social sciences groups. The FNP group participates together with the Environmental Policy Group, the Public Administration and Policy Group, and the Law Group in the Wageningen Centre for Sustainability Governance.

We ask

• you hold a PhD degree in social or political science, or a related discipline;
• you have profound knowledge of forest and nature conservation policies and governance is key
• you are receptive to both the social and natural sciences perspective;
• you have a proven scientific track record with publications of recognised international quality;
• you can share a vision for future research, education and societal impact; 
• you are perfectly able to demonstrate an inspiring, collegial, and unifying leadership style characterized by the passion to develop people, to build teams, and to create synergy;
• you possess a shown capacity of acquiring, leading and managing externally-funded research projects;
• you are an inspiring teacher and supervisor, with the ability to develop courses at Bachelor, Master, and PhD level, and with an interest and capacity to innovate teaching methods;
• you have affinity with transdisciplinary research and with working on policy-relevant issues.

We offer
You will be working for an international organisation with a large number of interdisciplinary projects all over the world. We offer you a challenging position as full professor and Chair of Forest and Nature Conservation Policy. 

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a number of additional benefits, such as an end-of-year- extra month’s salary, a holiday allowance and a pension plan with the Dutch pension fund for government and education. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, by which 30% of their salary is exempt from tax. Have a look on https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Moving-to-the-Netherlands.htm.   For detailed information about the remuneration package feel free to contact Jacqueline Huisman MSc, Sr Recruiter via +31 (0) 621 563413. 

Coming from abroad 
Wageningen is a centre for research and entrepreneurship. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. It is a historic university town of about 36,000 residents in the central Netherlands. The academic community hails from more than 100 countries, giving the town a lively, international feel. 

Our highly qualified team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. A specialised staffing agency will help your partner to find a job. 

The Wageningen University & Research's International Community page (https://www.wur.nl/en/International-students-and-staff.htm) contains practical information about what we do to support international employees and  students coming to Wageningen. 

More information
Further information about the position can be obtained from Professor Dr Katrien Termeer, Chair of the Appointment Advisory Committee, Email: katrien.termeer@wur.nl, Tel: +31 317482907. More detailed information on the profile and the FNP Group is available upon request via Esther Roquas, esther.roquas@wur.nl. 

Application
You are invited to send your complete application via the respond-button on top of this page, or via email to esther.roquas@wur.nl. Please include an application letter with curriculum vitae and a separate list of publications. The deadline for applications is 8 May 2019. 

The Appointment Advisory Committee will interview selected candidates for this position on 2 July 2019. In case you are short-listed for a second day of interviews the Committee will invite you for a trial lecture on 16 October 2019. 

We strongly encourage female candidates to apply.

We are
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus – each and every single day. Within our domain of good and safe food & food production, food security and a healthy living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society – such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don’t do this alone. With us, 5,500 people work on ‘the quality of life’, turning ideas into reality, on a global scale.

A strong dedication to teaching and fundamental research, combined with innovative applied research, builds a rich learning environment. Our students, the innovators of tomorrow, also benefit from first-class research and educational facilities.

Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need. 
The scientific quality of Wageningen University is affirmed by the prominent position we occupy in international rankings and citation indexes. Dutch students have been voting Wageningen University & Research as the best university in the Netherlands for fourteen years in a row.

Equal opportunities employer 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.