Topic: Ecological design of foodscapes:
The Farming Systems Ecology group focuses on the analysis and design of exemplar sustainable farming systems and foodscapes, that deliver multiple benefits to humankind, using natural processes as building blocks. We uniquely combine a strong platform of simulation models with hands-on, empirical assessments of outstanding examples of sustainable multifunctional farms and landscapes in all continents. Our multi-disciplinary team includes expertise in systems analysis, modelling, agro-ecology, agronomy, co-innovation, policy formation and immersive education.

We now seek to strengthen our team with expertise in the ecological design of foodscapes. The successful candidate will develop a research portfolio that focusses on connecting and integrating knowledge and data on food production, ecosystem services, ecological and socio-economic processes at landscape/community level, for a wide range of case-studies around the world, using a variety of modelling tools ranging from conceptual frameworks to simulation models and GIS. This work will contribute to a coherent modelling platform, being developed by the FSE group, which includes the integrated use of Augmented Reality for both research and educational purposes. The models will be used (by both the successful candidate and colleagues) for the analysis and design of exemplar sustainable foodscapes. Crucially, this includes the linking of the models to emperical examples of outstanding foodscapes around the globe, known as the "network of lighthouse farms & foodscapes".

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• develop her/his own research portfolio on the ecological design of sustainable foodscapes;
• over time attract external funding to support the associated research activities;
• publish her/his research in high-ranking scientific journals and through technical and popular communication channels;
• contribute to both existing and new MSc courses delivered by the FSE group;
• supervise Postdocs, PhD candidates, MSc students and internships;
• contribute to operational and outreach activities of the FSE group.

IMPORTANT: Applications are expected to meet ALL of the essential requirements, and at least HALF of the desired requirements specified here:

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Essential: A degree and PhD relating to one of the following multi-disciplinary, integrative subjects: farm system analysis, agro-ecology, landscape ecology, natural resource management, food system analysis. Other disciplines may be taken into consideration, provided that the candidate demonstrates the relevance of the discipline to the description of the position applied for.
Desired: More than two years experience as a post-doctoral researcher or equivalent function.

KNOWLEDGE
Essential: Thorough knowledge (practical, theoretical and contextual) of farming systems in more than one country and/or agro-climatic zone.
Desired: Knowledge of farming systems (practical, theoretical, contextual) in more than one continent.

Essential: Knowledge of the assessment of ecosystem services, ecological intensification, agro-ecology, planetary boundaries, Sustainable Development Goals. Applicants are invited to provide examples of how these concepts have informed and been used in their research.
Desired: Knowledge of interfacing biophysical and social or socio-economic sciences;
Knowledge of Functional Land Management.

SKILLS
Essential: Proven affinity for integrative analysis (qualitative and/or quantitative), with hands-on experience with modelling approaches and methodologies.
Desired: Experience with programming and/or development of model user interfaces.

Essential: Proven scientific writing skills. Applicants are invited to provide examples of their papers.
Desired: Ability to communicate research outcomes succinctly to a variety of non-scientific audiences; applicants are invited to provide examples.

Essential: Proven experience with research funding applications. Applicants are invited to provide examples of their contributions to funding applications.
Desired: Participation in multi-institutional research consortia; Successful research funding applications (provide details).

Essential: Experience with academic teaching and supervision of students and/or interns.
Desired: Has contributed to the design and/or implementation of innovative and/or immersive teaching methodologies.

ATTRIBUTES
Essential: Affinity for the combination of principles that characterise the FSE group:

• Diversity of approaches and outcomes, tailored to local conditions;
• Redesign of foodscapes based on ecological processes
• Equitability and social responsibility;
• Fostering multi-functionality and synergies;
• Engagement, collaboration and reflection.

Applicants are invited to provide examples where she/he has applied these principles in their academic career.

OTHER
Essential: Fluency in English (spoken and written) is essential.
Desired: Ability to communicate in one or more other major languages.

We offer you as a talented scientist a fulltime position as a post-doctoral scientist, with scope towards a challenging career trajectory called Tenure Track, in which you can grow, from the position of Assistant Professor, into a Professor holding a Personal Chair. Of course training and coaching are provided and interdisciplinary (international) cooperation is stimulated. You will also be given the chance to build up your own research line. As we will only be selecting outstanding candidates to take part in Tenure Track, this will be a good stepping stone to a further career within Wageningen UR or elsewhere. We offer you a temporary contract, which, based on performance, can lead to a permanent employment contract. Gross starting salary (scale 10) from € 3.111 to € 4,084 per month, based on full time employment and dependent on expertise and experience; additional benefits may apply.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen UR (University & Research centre)

Wageningen University and Research Centre Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every day. Within our domain, healthy food and 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 day, 6,500 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale. Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need. For further information about working at Wageningen UR, take a look at www.jobsat.wur.nl.

Farming Systems Ecology
The Farming Systems Ecology group focuses on the analysis and design of exemplar sustainable farming systems and foodscapes, that deliver multiple benefits to humankind, using natural processes as our building blocks.

The purpose of these exemplars is to guide the development of food systems towards our vision of a world in which:

all actors are inspired, knowledgeable, and skilled ...
to proactively and jointly develop food systems ...
that are abundant and equitable ...
by enhancing and benefitting from the natural capital...
of our communities, environments and planet.

Within this context, our mission is:
To equip the actors in the food system...
with the keys to unlock, redesign and transition farming systems...
by analysing, experiencing and learning from outstanding examples...
of farms and foodscapes around the world.

We uniquely combine a strong platform of simulation models with hands-on, empirical assessments of outstanding examples of sustainable farms and landscapes in all continents. Our multi-disciplinary team includes expertise in systems modelling, agro-ecology, agronomy, co-innovation, policy formation and immersive education.

In all our activities, we work in collaboration with a very wide and diverse network of research actors and external stakeholders. These include national, European and global research organisations (such as the CGIAR programmes), farmers, NGOs, industry and regional, national and EU policy makers. We lead and participate in a number of European Horizon 2020 projects, as well as numerous national and regional programmes. Our research facilities include field experiments at the university farm, while we are developing a global outdoor laboratory and classroom through the creation of an international network of "lighthouse farms". We are developing Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality methods to bring these farms inside our classrooms and modelling platforms. We develop and deliver a wide range of courses for the WUR Masters in Organic Agriculture, for which we take the IFOAM Organic 3.0 strategy as our guide.