The Brightlands Future of farming Institute (BFFI) is a research collaboration between Brightlands and the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Maastricht University. It focuses on Natural sciences and technology. At BFFI we cover all aspects of future farming from plant functional genomics and plant environmental genetics to sustainable plant farming systems. A citation that describes BFFI best is: “It’s no longer just about the best tomato; it’s about the optimal combination of technology and genetics.”

Over the course of recent years, we have carefully designed and constructed a state-of-the-art greenhouse, leveraging the latest advancements in technology. We built this greenhouse to facilitate our new research and educational programs. As a Full Professor you will contribute to determining the future course of the institute, your main responsibilities are:

• Setting up your own research line regarding development and optimal use of greenhouse technology to measure plant growth and control growth conditions
• Acquiring funds to finance your research
• Supervising PhD students.
• Setting up a strategic plan to develop improved sustainability of indoor plant growing which could have a big impact on agriculture.
• To collaborate with relevant stakeholders. BFFI is located at the heart of one of the major European high-tech vegetable growing areas, so there is an optimal connection with start-up and scale up companies in the areas.
• Improving collaboration with colleagues from the other Brightlands Campuses.
• Developing our new Bachelor Sustainable Bioscience and Master Crop Biotechnology and Engineering.
• Teaching your research findings to our talented students.

You are a creative person, who has a vision regarding the future of farming and you are not afraid to share this vision with other stakeholders. You are proactive and have an entrepreneurial mind-set, which allows you to work in a new research environment. Besides that:

• You have a PhD in Circular Horticulture systems such as vertical farming, greenhouse engineering, sustainable outdoor farming, advanced sensing and lighting, autonomous growth systems and data science/ AI for growth systems.
• You have a strong track record in research and teaching, within an international competitive environment.
• You have excellent communicating and writing skills in English.
• You foster collaboration at all levels: from working on small-scale projects with direct colleagues, to participating in international research consortia.
• You are enthusiastic to substantially contribute to the development of BFFI.

Although we are searching for a full professor, we also encourage Associate Professors with a strong track record to apply for this position.

What we offer

As Full Professor Sustainable Plant Farming at Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale H2 - H1 according to UFO profile Full Professor, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €6648,00 and €11686,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon proven suitability, the employment contract will be converted to an indefinite contract.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.
  The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University

Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development. FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention. The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.