Professor and Chair of Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management

We are looking for an innovative, dynamic and inspiring scholar in the field of Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management (HWM) to join our faculty and lead the HWM chair group at Wageningen University & Research (0.8 – 1.0 fte).

HWM research aims to advance fundamental understanding and prediction of hydrological processes in river basins, aquifers and deltas for sustainable water and sediment management, considering climate and land-use change. This is achieved through the development and application of: (1) novel sensing techniques for hydrological fluxes and states; (2) quantitative, physics-based and conceptual models of surface and subsurface water, sediment and plastic transport processes to examine the terrestrial hydrological system and its component processes; (3) tools for hydrological prediction at a range of spatial and temporal scales, focusing on hydro-climatic extremes (floods and droughts). Furthermore, theoretical developments are tested in a fully equipped water and sediment dynamics laboratory, as well as in river basins, aquifers and deltas worldwide.

HWM teaching and research are closely intertwined. Classroom teaching, tutorials, excursions and practicals based on computer, laboratory and field assignments aim at fundamental understanding of the terrestrial hydrologic system, its component processes and its interactions with the atmosphere, soil and biosphere, including macro and microplastic transport processes. Teaching is rooted in the earth and environmental sciences, has a physical and mathematical focus, and promotes analytical, laboratory, field and computer skills. HWM achieves value creation by developing novel sensing techniques, models, datasets and nature-based solutions that support water managers in the Netherlands and abroad.

As Chair, you will lead the Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management group. You will support the group’s research ambitions by further strengthening its position in national and international networks, by managing its internal processes and relations in a constructive and cooperative way, and by strengthening established research lines, safeguarding coherence in research and bringing in novel ideas. In addition, you may choose to play an active role in education at the undergraduate and graduate level. You will also give new impulses to further develop the contents of courses, teaching methods, and the coherence of the education programmes in which HWM takes part. You will ensure the group provides an encouraging working environment to staff at a range of career levels. Acquisition of external funding for research and attracting PhD candidates are key elements of your responsibility.

• an inspiring long-term vision regarding the development of the scientific field, the research agenda and the teaching profile of the HWM group;
• a broad international network, as well as active involvement and experience with effective interaction with partners and in the societal debate;
• a convincing scientific track record and international research profile;
• a proven capacity as an inspiring teacher and supervisor for students of diverse backgrounds, with proven ability to develop courses at Bachelor, Master, and PhD level, and an interest, vision and capacity to innovate teaching methods;
• a proven record in acquisition of research funds from national and international agencies;
• a doctorate (PhD degree) in the realm of hydrological sciences and a significant period of experience in research and teaching in this disciplinary field;
• a keen interest to work in an interdisciplinary environment;
• experience with the management of professionals, characterized by a shared leadership style fostering the development of people, building teams and create synergy.

You will be working for an inspiring international organisation with a large number of interdisciplinary projects all over the world. The scientific quality of Wageningen University is affirmed by the prominent position we occupy in international rankings and citation indexes. We offer you a challenging position as full professor of the Chair of Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management. Besides a competitive salary, we offer some 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.

Further information about the position can be obtained from professor dr. J Vila-Guerau de Arellano, Chair of the Appointment Advisory Committee (Email: [email protected] Tel: +31 317 485065).

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.

Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, by which 30% of their salary is exempt from tax. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Moreover, when you move to the Netherlands with a partner and/or kids, their well-being will be one of your highest priorities. Depending on the age of the children, there are four main types of organized childcare facilities in the Netherlands: Day care, Host parents, Preschools and After school care.
Children from 4 to 12 years can enrol in a so-called transition class in a regular primary school in Wageningen. In this class they learn Dutch together with other kids coming from abroad. For attending secondary schools, there are three options available. The first option is to enrol in the International Transition Class (in Dutch: “Internationale schakelklas”, ISK). The ISK is meant for all children who come from abroad and need to learn Dutch before going to other types of schools. Secondly, one can start at a regular secondary school, for which mastering the Dutch language at an adequate level is necessary. The third option is an English language international school. The nearest international school is Rivers International School in Arnhem, that offers a variety of classes ranging from preschool to secondary school levels.

Finally, WUR has also a programme for partners of new professors from abroad offering assistance to specific needs, for instance in finding a job, or how and where to attend language courses, etc.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. The following webpages contains (practical) information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen (https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Moving-to-the-Netherlands.htm  and https://www.wur.nl/en/International-students-and-staff.htm ).

Application
You are invited to upload your complete application via the vacancy on our website and address it to Mr. Johan Feenstra, secretary of the Appointment Advisory Committee . Your application should include:
• An application letter with curriculum vitae
• A separate list of publications
• Your vision on research and education in the domain of the Chair (max 2 pages).

The closing date to upload your application is Wednesday 22 June 2022 .

The Appointment Advisory Committee will interview selected candidates for this position on Monday 29 August 2022. The Committee will thereafter invite short-listed candidates for a second interview and a public trial lecture on Monday 3 October 2022.

Equal opportunity employer
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. For more information please go to our inclusivity page . A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University and 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 dom ain of healthy food and living environment.

With its roughly 30 branches, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR

The Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management Group
The present HWM group is a vibrant, collaborative team of young and mid-career researchers who work in the field of Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management (see www.hwm.wur.nl ). The HWM group currently consists of 11 faculty members, 1 special professor, 3 postdocs and 26 PhD candidates supervised by current staff. The HWM group is part of the cluster for Climate, Water and Society (CWS), a new cluster of chair groups within the overarching WIMEK Graduate School (www.wimek.wur.nl ) and the Environmental Sciences Group (ESG).

The group is efficiently organised and supported by dedicated secretarial, financial and HR advisors. The HWM group and student community are largely international and the courses of the group are taught in English.
Education
Classroom teaching, tutorials, excursions and practicals based on computer, laboratory and field assignments aim at fundamental understanding of the terrestrial hydrologic system, its component processes and its interactions with the atmosphere, soil and biosphere. Teaching is rooted in the earth and environmental sciences, has a physical and mathematical focus, and promotes analytical, laboratory, field and computer skills.

The staff members teach courses at BSc and MSc level. The chair group Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management is strongly involved in the BSc programme Soil, Water and Atmosphere (BSW) and the MSc programmes Earth and Environment (MEE) and Climate Studies (MCL). The group supports innovative educational methods to facilitate the transfer of up-to-date knowledge and skills from HWM’s research topics to students. This innovation includes the development of hydrological models, instruction/knowledge clips and the continuous renewal of course manuals, teaching methods and didactical processes.