Full Professor and Chair of Applied Statistics

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is seeking a full professor (0.8 - 1.0 fte) to lead the Chair Group Applied Statistics of Wageningen University. This chair group, with approximately 25 FTE personnel, is fully integrated with the Chair Group Applied Mathematics (Wageningen University) and the Business Unit Biometris (Wageningen Research), each counting around 20 FTE. Together these groups form Biometris, an integrative team studying various aspects of mathematics and statistics both at the fundamental and the applied level.

The new professor and chair of Applied Statistics should develop mid/long term plans for the future of applied statistics research and education within the domains of Wageningen University and Research.

About Biometris
The mission of Biometris is “to bring quantitative methods to life”. This implies a high level of collaboration with other groups at WUR, as exemplified by the large number of shared PhD students and joint research projects. Similarly, our teaching portfolio covers the basics of mathematics and statistics for all BSc studies in Wageningen, as well as more advanced courses at the BSc, MSc and PhD level. Furthermore, the chair group is actively involved in the MSc Statistics & Data Science with Leiden University (LU) and Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). The tight link with the Biometris Business Unit leads to many applied projects with external partners, often from industry.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Lead the Applied Statistics group in terms of research and education, and participate in the Biometris management team;
• Cover the field of Applied Statistics for topics related to WUR’s mission, and actively promote the appropriate use of statistics in research and real-world applications;
• Have tangible ideas on how to position statistics in the rapidly changing Data Science and AI landscape;
• Actively promote collaboration with WUR groups in all scientific fields, at both application and methodological levels;
• Actively consolidate, develop and promote statistics education at the BSc and MSc levels within Wageningen as well as in collaboration with other universities (such as LU/LUMC);
• Provide educational leadership and actively pursue new educational methods for transferring knowledge to the current and future generations of students

As a professor and chair group leader, you should have good knowledge on future trends and developments in applied statistics in general and the impact applied statistics can have in domains important for Wageningen, as well as on the relation to the rapidly changing Data Science and AI landscape. You collaborate and involve yourself (inter)nationally in the field of applied statistics, and are able to use this experience in support of acquisition of external funding. You are an experienced and engaging teacher and supervisor of students at different academic levels (i.e., BSc, MSc, PhD candidates), fostering a safe and inclusive work environment for them and others in the group .

Requirements:

• Experience in leading professionals in an academic environment with a supportive and inclusive leadership style that stimulates personal development, collaboration, and team effort. You are a reliable and approachable leader who can listen, guide, coach and build bridges;
• Experience in (scientifically) collaborating with others inside and outside your immediate scientific field.
• An academic track record in applied statistics with scientific publications of recognized international quality;
• Experience and success in attracting funding and competitive research grants and in developing partnerships with industry; and
• Willingness to contribute to and support the continuing ambitions of the chair group to achieve positive societal impact.
• Experience with the supervision of BSc-, MSc- and PhD-theses.

The position of Chairholder of the Chair Group Applied Statistics provides the opportunity to further develop your research track and leadership profile with a diverse team of talented researchers, lectures, and support staff. You will be working for an inspiring international organization actively engaged in a large number of interdisciplinary projects all over the world. The scientific quality of Wageningen University & Research is affirmed by the prominent position we occupy in international rankings and citation indices.

We offer you a position as Full Professor and Chair of Applied Statistics. Besides a competitive salary (maximum gross salary for starting chair holders is € 10,138,- per month, based on appointment as professor 2 (“hoogleraar 2”), 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. International candidates moving to the Netherlands may benefit from a special tax relief, by which a part of their salary is exempt from tax for several years. For further details see: https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Moving-to-the-Netherlands.htm

Working hours can be discussed to optimize the work-life balance (32-38 hours per week).

More information about our research projects, education and publications can be found at the WUR Biometris website. A virtual tour on WUR’s green and sustainable campus can be taken here.

Coming from abroad.
We are a globally leading university in the 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.

The university’s 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. Furthermore, WUR offers a dual career programme for partners to assist your partner in finding a job or starting a business in the Netherlands. Furthermore, we assist you in finding schools for your children and advise you on finding housing in the region or elsewhere in the Netherlands. The Wageningen University & Research (WUR) International Community page contains practical information about what we do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen.

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 the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

Biometris is embedded in the Plant Sciences Group, one of five science groups at Wageningen University & Research, which has state-of-the-art instruments and facilities. The Plant Sciences Group comprises 20 chair groups and 8 applied research units. The Chair Group Applied Statistics is affiliated with the graduate school Production Ecology and Resource Conservation (PE&RC). Reporting to the Managing Director of the Plant Sciences Group, the new chair group leader will contribute constructively to the development and leadership of the science group and the wider collaborative research and impact environment at WUR. You will be working for a diverse internationally-oriented organization with research collaborations all over the world.

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

Further information about the position can be acquired from Prof. Dr. Bas Zwaan, Chair of the Appointment Advisory Committee, email bas.zwaan@wur.nl

More detailed information on the profile, and WUR Applied Statistics, is available upon request via the executive secretary of the Committee, Kasper ter Horst, kasper.terhorst@wur.nl

Application
You are encouraged to upload your complete application via the respond button on top of this page. Please include in separate documents, in Pdf format:

1. an application letter,
2. a curriculum vitae,
3. a list of publications,
4. a statement of research and education interests and intended direction of the chair group of approximately 1,000 words.

Applications can be sent until and March 24th 2025. We intend to use this recruitment to find a candidate who will diversify the current department of Plant Sciences. We therefore especially encourage female candidates, and candidates from abroad, to apply for this position.

The committee will inform you about the status of your application after 17th of April. Selected candidates will be interviewed for this position on Monday 12th of May 2025. The committee will thereafter invite short-listed candidates for a second interview and a public lecture on Thursday 12th of June 2025.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

Further information about the position can be acquired from Prof. Dr. Bas Zwaan, Chair of the Appointment Advisory Committee, email bas.zwaan@wur.nl

More detailed information on the profile, and WUR Applied Statistics, is available upon request via the executive secretary of the Committee, Kasper ter Horst, kasper.terhorst@wur.nl

Application
You are encouraged to upload your complete application via the respond button on top of this page. Please include in separate documents, in Pdf format:

1. an application letter,
2. a curriculum vitae,
3. a list of publications,
4. a statement of research and education interests and intended direction of the chair group of approximately 1,000 words.

Applications can be sent until and March 24th 2025. We intend to use this recruitment to find a candidate who will diversify the current department of Plant Sciences. We therefore especially encourage female candidates, and candidates from abroad, to apply for this position.

The committee will inform you about the status of your application after 17th of April. Selected candidates will be interviewed for this position on Monday 12th of May 2025. The committee will thereafter invite short-listed candidates for a second interview and a public lecture on Thursday 12th of June 2025.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.