Wageningen University is recruiting an inspiring professor to lead the Marketing and Consumer Behaviour chair group.

The Marketing and Consumer Behaviour (MCB) group of Wageningen University is a unique marketing group. Being part of a Life Science university with a strong position in the agricultural and food domain, the MCB group excels in marketing and consumer behaviour in the agricultural, agribusiness, food, and sustainability domains. With its unique blend of people, the group has expertise on all marketing and consumer-focused activities in the value chain, ranging from the farmer to the consumer, and including marketing- and consumer-relevant behaviours of relevant stakeholders (e.g., NGOs, governments) for food and agribusiness. MCB's research examines societally relevant topics such as the roles of markets and consumers in sustainable and healthful (food) production and consumption.

Central to the education and research of MCB is the realisation that (food) systems need to become more sustainable, and the group aims to encourage all stakeholders of the value chain, including consumers, to support and embrace this. The group considers that a thorough understanding of marketing and consumer behaviour is needed to provide solutions for a more sustainable and healthful food system. Consequently, the research is published in the interdisciplinary and applied agri-food (including health, sustainability and sensory) literature domains, in addition to the mainstream marketing and consumer behaviour journals.
The research is theory-driven and aims to provide a deep understanding of (un)sustainable behaviours of all value chain actors, from farmers to consumers. Thereby the group uses state of the art marketing and consumer theories and uses its in-depth knowledge of food- and agribusiness relevant contexts to test and refine theoretical frameworks. The research is positioned at the interface of basic and applied sciences, and it is made to support sustainable and healthy behaviours and market structures – following WURs “science for impact” motto.

The mission of MCB is to develop and share knowledge about marketing and consumer behaviour in inter-, trans-, or -disciplinary manners, that will aid food, agricultural, and agribusiness marketing systems to move towards societally valued goals such as sustainability and healthfulness.

In the teaching of the MCB group, basic and fundamental knowledge are both essential to develop a thorough understanding of all human aspects related to food, sustainability, or health. The MCB group contributes to courses in a broad range of education programmes.

As a chair holder you lead the group in developing a vision on academic research, education and societal engagement and impact, and you are a binding force within the group. You coach academics in different phases of their careers, supervise PhD candidates and represent the group within and outside Wageningen University. You initiate innovative research and education projects and can use your network and leadership skills to acquire funding for these projects.

More information about the group can be found in the profile of the group or at the team’s website.

As a successful candidate you:

• have A PhD in marketing or consumer behaviour,
• have extensive theoretical knowledge of marketing or consumer behaviour and are able to oversee, and create synergies, between research lines within these domains,
• have published in high-level journals in marketing or consumer behaviour, as well as in applied domains related to food and/or sustainability,
• have a substantial track record in attracting external funding,
• have experience in leading externally funded (inter)national projects, with a disciplinary and inter/transdisciplinary configuration,
• have a vision on education in a life sciences university with an agri-food focus and are able to inspire students and young scholars of diverse backgrounds,
• have developed courses at Bachelor, Master, and PhD level, using innovate teaching methods,
• have experience in leading a team of academic professionals, and have proven financial and operational management skills,
• are a people manager with an inclusive leadership style, and are passionate to support staff and students in their academic and individual development, while fostering team collaboration
• have an extensive and well-established (inter)national network, and an ability to strengthen the group’s position in national and international networks, within academia as well as with industry,
• have an inspiring vision for future research, strategy, education, and societal engagement and impact, of the MCB group, and can represent the chair group within, and outside, the university.

If you recognize yourself in the majority of this profile, have demonstrable affinity and relevant experience, and are open to further develop yourself, we invite you to apply.

You will be working for an inspiring international organisation 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 the Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group. Besides a competitive salary (maximum gross salary for starting chair holders is € 9,680 per month), 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.

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

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. Wageningen University, 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. For partners we have a dual career program to help them find work in the Netherlands. Furthermore, we can assist you in finding schools for your children and assist you with finding housing in the region or elsewhere in the Netherlands.

Wageningen University & Research

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, 7,700 employees (7,000 fte), 2,500 PhD and EngD candidates, 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.

Social Sciences Group
Connecting various disciplines and perspectives: that’s the power of the Department of Social Sciences of Wageningen University & Research. This is essentially who we are: over 400 scientists from different disciplines who work together with a broad variety of partners on the transitions that are necessary to achieve a society that is more equal, more sustainable and healthier.

With our research we contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals from the United Nations. These 17 goals address the global challenges the world faces, like inequality, health and climate change. As the Department of Social Sciences we are here to create impact and our work in research and education shows how we have done that. Check out our website to read more.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

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

Further information about the position can be acquired from Prof. Alfons Oude Lansink, Chair of the Appointment Advisory Committee, email alfons.oudelansink@wur.nl, tel: +31317485194 or +31612395145.

More detailed information on the profile and the MCB Group is available upon request via the executive secretary of the Committee, Ir. Coco van der Wolk, coco.vanderwolk@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 (pdf) an (1) application letter, (2) curriculum vitae and a (3) list of publications.

Applications can be sent until and including January 3rd, 2025.

Selected candidates will be interviewed for this position on February 4th, 2025. In case you are short-listed for a second day of interviews the Committee will also invite you for a trial lecture on February 20th, 2025.

WUR’s policy is to increase the number of female professors. Therefore, all female candidates matching the profile are especially invited to apply, and we want at least one of the final candidates to be female.

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.