Are you the forward-thinking and enthusiastic scientist, teacher and teammate, dedicated to research and teaching in biomechanics of soft biological systems, biomimetics, and zoology? Then we are looking for you!

Your role

• Assistant Professor or Associate Professor (Tenure Track) in the field of Biomechanics of Soft Biological Motor and Adhesive Systems, linked to Biomimetics.
• We expect you to develop your own research line within the 4TU consortium 'Soft Robotics', which consist of research groups from Wageningen University, Delft University of Technology, University of Twente, and Eindhoven University of Technology.
• We expect you to attract research funds for this line, to build up a leading international position, and that your work contributes to the development of the next generation bio inspired soft robots for medical and agricultural applications.
• The tenure track position at Wageningen University will focus on the unraveling of neuro-mechanical principles of soft motor and adhesive systems as for instance found in the arms of cephalopods (squid, catfish, octopus) and toe pads of tree frogs.
• You have considerable freedom to develop a highly creative and challenging research line, which complements existing expertise in the Experimental Zoology Group.
• As a teacher, you will coach and motivate your students - both at introductory and more advanced levels - and you will develop new courses in the field of soft robotics and biomimetics.

• a PhD in biology, (bio)physics, mechanical engineering, or comparable discipline;
• knowledge and expertise in any of the following research fields: biomechanics, neuro-mechanics, soft tissue mechanics, biomimetics;
• excellent research achievements with publications in leading journals in the field;
• excellent communication and collaboration skills;
• didactic skills and enthusiasm for teaching and working with students;
• the ambition to develop to personal professor in the Wageningen Tenure Track system;
• enthusiasm for leading complex projects;
• experience with acquisition of research funding, as shown by awarded scholarships or grants.

We offer you a challenging and meaningful career trajectory called Tenure Track within the Experimental Zoology Group. This challenging career path starts at the level of assistant professor, from which you can grow into an associate professor and obtain us promovendi. There is also the possibility to grow to personal professor. Depending on your experience and track record, you can enter at the level of Assistant or Associate Professor. Of course, you will receive training and mentorship and interdisciplinary (international) cooperation is stimulated. As we will only be selecting excellent talent to take part in Tenure Track, this will be a good stepping stone to a further career within Wageningen University & Research or elsewhere.

We offer a temporary contract with the possibility of extension and finally a permanent position.

The salary will depend on expertise and experience. Gross salary for Assistant Professors is from €3,637 to €5,656 per month and for Associate Professors from €5,039 to €6,738 per month based on full time employment.
In addition, we offer

• 8% holiday allowance
• 8.3% fixed-year allowance
• Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may also qualify for a special tax relief, in which 30% of their salary is exempt from tax.
• Excellent training opportunities and secondary working conditions;
• Flexible working hours and vacations in consultation with colleagues is possible so that an optimal balance between work and private is possible;
• An excellent pension scheme via ABP;
• 232 holiday hours, the ability to purchase and good supplementary leave arrangements and an individualized model to compose part of your working conditions and a bicycle plan;
• Make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee

We stimulate internal growth opportunities and mobility with an active and internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a creative learning environment.
In 2019, a post-doc will be appointed within the same research domain. It is expected that you will co-supervise the post-doc. The technicians of the Experimental Zoology Group will provide support in the soft robotics project.

Wageningen University & Research

The Experimental Zoology Group (EZO) is part of the Department of Animal Sciences of Wageningen University and responsible for the research lines described above and a broad range of Zoology courses for students of Biology, Animal Sciences, and Human Nutrition and Health, among others. For more information see http://www.ezo.wur.nl/UK/
The chair group is part of the Department of Animal Sciences of Wageningen University & Research. The Department of Animal Sciences is involved in research and education related to the health and welfare of animals and people. The primary focus is on the functioning of animals, both from a curiosity perspective and in relation to the various functions animals have for people.

Wageningen University & Research
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every single day. Within our domain of good and safe food & food production, food security and a healthy living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society - such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don't do this alone. Every single day, 5000 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale. Could you be one of these people?