We are looking for an innovative and dynamic scholar to lead the Cultural Geography Group at Wageningen University & Research (0.8 - 1.0 fte).

The Cultural Geography Group (GEO) offers socio-spatial and socio-cultural perspectives on core themes of Wageningen University & Research: the environment, development and well-being. Research and education build on an inter-disciplinary approach and on diverse expertise backgrounds of staff, from social and cultural geography, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, social psychology, gender studies and STS (Science and Technology Studies). This diversity is reflected both in the type of work (theoretical as well as empirical) and in the approaches taken (qualitative as well as quantitative). GEO's current research programme focuses on two themes from multiple theoretical perspectives and empirical points of entry: 1) Space, Place and Landscape, and 2) Tourism, Society and the Environment.

As head of the GEO Group, you will strengthen the Group's innovative research and education programme and you will effectively and constructively manage the Group's internal processes. You will ensure the Group continues to grow into a supportive working environment for a diverse group of young and established academics. Strengthening the acquisition of external funding for research and attracting PhD candidates are key elements of your responsibility. You will further strengthen the profile of the Group in national and international networks, and you will further enhance the groups successes in creating value and producing impact both within and outside academia.

The chair group (11 scientific staff, 19 PhD candidates) is efficiently organised and supported by dedicated secretarial, financial and HR advisors.

As a successful candidate, you:

• Have a proven scientific track record in the field of social, cultural or political geography, or a closely related field, with a vision for future research and education on space, place and landscape, and tourism, society and the environment.
• Demonstrate an ability to lead research in a theoretically and methodologically diverse group and show the potential to produce work of recognised international quality;
• Enjoy managing professionals and demonstrate an inspiring, collegial, and unifying leadership style characterized by the passion to develop people, to build teams, and to create synergy;
• Are an inspiring teacher and supervisor for students of diverse backgrounds, with proven ability to develop courses at Bachelor, Master, and PhD level, and an interest and capacity to innovate teaching methods;
• Have the ability to effectively interact with professionals and societal partners in the development of research and education;
• Hold a PhD degree in human geography or a related discipline;
• Possess a proven capacity of acquiring, leading and managing externally-funded research projects.

You will be working for an inspiring international organisation with a large number of interdisciplinary projects all over the world. The scientific quality of Wageningen University is affirmed by the prominent position we occupy in international rankings and citation indexes.

We offer you a challenging position as full professor of the Chair of Cultural Geography. Besides a competitive salary, 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.

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.

Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, by which 30% of their salary is exempt from tax.

Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. A specialized staffing agency will help your partner to find a job.

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.

Equal opportunities employer
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every 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 day, 5000 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 University & Research, take a look at www.wur.eu/career.