Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) Academic Staff Member - Host-Microbe Interactions

Your job

Are you an enthusiastic scientist who wants to lead their own research?  Are you interested in understanding host interactions with the microbiome, or specific microbial species including pathogens? Could your research lead to advances that directly benefit animals or humans? Are you ready for a career in Academia and to be part of our Tenure Track programme? Then we may be looking for you!

The Host-Microbe Interactomics Chair Group at Wageningen University, The Netherlands is seeking a highly motivated Academic Staff Member with a track record of high-quality research in areas connecting to the main themes of the HMI group who will also contribute to effective and engaging education.
This position is part of Wageningen University's commitment to the “Sector Plan for Biology” which aims to further develop the knowledge and educational capacity for this discipline in The Netherlands. Depending on your starting level, you will be appointed as staff scientist or assistant professor, with, pending a one-year evaluation period, opportunities to enter tenure track. 

You will enter a career trajectory called Tenure Track , a career path for scientists who pursue to excel in education and research. We seek to attract scientific talent and to stimulate and support their development.
Your research interests connect with our research lines on the molecular mechanisms of diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria to the interactions between the microbiome and specific symbionts, commensals, or pathobionts and their human or animal hosts. The group combines expertise in various animal models, including the zebra-fish, and maintains state-of-the art expertise in molecular cell biology, including organoid models and stem cell technologies, immunology, as well as molecular microbiology and functional (meta)genomics.

Your qualities

The ideal candidate has:

• a PhD degree in Life Sciences with special interest in host-microbe interactions;
• experience as an independent researcher;
• contributed to proposals for research funding;
• participated in a Bachelor or Master course in English;
• delivered high quality research or translational research;
• disseminated your research outcomes and publish in reputable journals;
• carried out administrative duties related to education and departmental requirements;
• engaged in communication activities about your research;
• fluency in English.

In our international working environment good command of English is a prerequisite, candidates should preferentially have a

C1 language level

. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found

here

.

We encourage female candidates to apply for this position and contribute their unique perspectives to our dynamic team. In case of equal suitability, female candidates will be preferred as part of our commitment to fostering gender diversity and balance in our workplace.

We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will be offered a fixed-term, 7 year contract which, upon positive evaluation based on criteria elaborated in the University's Tenure Track policy, can lead to a permanent employment contract as professor. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 5247,- and € 6737,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours in accordance with the

Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU)

(scale 12).

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. 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.

Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Professor Dr. Jerry Wells, chair holder HMI group, by email:[email protected]
For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas, by email:[email protected]

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 15 April 2024. We will schedule the first round of interviews soon after the closing date.
Applications should include:
1). cover letter;
2). comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a complete list of publications;
3). one-page research statement outlining previous and current research endeavours, as well as ideas for future research;
4). one-page description of teaching experience;
5). contact details of three academic or professional referees who are familiar with the candidates work.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

We are

Wageningen University & Research
TThe mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.