We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant/Associate Professorship in Molecular Nutrition and Metabolism within the Nutrition, Metabolism, and Genomics group at Wageningen University's Division of Human Nutrition and Health. The group's mission is to deepen our understanding of how dietary nutrients influence human metabolism and health at the molecular level. For this role, you will join a team whose research focuses on the impact of nutrition on metabolic health.

This involves studying metabolic organs, tissues, cells, and the signaling pathways influenced by diet using advanced molecular biology and 'omics' techniques. The goal is to enhance dietary health benefits, particularly through precision nutrition, by investigating individual metabolic differences. The group employs a translational approach, applying insights from animal and cell models to humans, and vice versa. This requires a broad expertise in molecular techniques and high-throughput data analysis across various experimental models.

We have two position available (click HERE to see the other position). For this specific position you will establish a research line on the nutritional regulation of molecular pathways in cellular and animal models, and/or you will pioneer research in new technological advancements applicable to cellular, animal, and human models.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• the development of an internationally competitive research program in the area of molecular nutrition;
• coordinate and teach in courses at the BSc and MSc level in the field of nutrition;
• publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences;
• collaborate with colleagues on interdisciplinary research projects;
• secure external funding through grants and fellowships;
• supervise MSc, PhD students, and Postdoctoral researchers;
• participate in departmental and university meetings and committees.

You will work here:
The research is embedded within the chair Nutrition, Metabolism and Genomics, which is led by Prof. Lydia Afman.

In this challenging career trajectory:

• you acquire, lead and implement innovative and creative(inter-) national research projects in the Nutrition, Metabolism and Genomics group;
• you collaborate with colleagues and supervise PhD students, BSc and MSc theses and you develop and teach courses;
• you contribute to the further development of the Nutrition Metabolism and Genomics group.

Tenure Track is 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.

You exhibit strong written and verbal communication skills. You are able to build effective relationships with students, faculty, and staff. You demonstrate leadership and teamwork capabilities. You contribute to a collegial, open and supportive work environment.

You also possess:

• a completed PhD in nutrition, medical sciences, or a related discipline;
• proven track record of securing grant funding;
• relevant and well-rated teaching experience;
• established publication record in molecular nutrition;
• established proficiency in conducting experiments with animal models or cell cultures and in developing new techniques.

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 € 4332,- and € 5929,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 11).

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.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands 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 for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling.

Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Wageningen University & Research

The 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 this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Lydia Afman, Chairholder, telephone: +31 317 485789 or by e-mail: Lydia.afman@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Rutger Voorrips, corporate recruiter, by e-mail: rutger.voorrips@wur.nl.

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 the 15th of July 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews in the first half of September 2024.

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.