Wageningen University is looking for an innovative, dynamic and inspiring scholar to lead the Geo-Information Science Chair Group (0.8-1.0 fte).

The Geo-Information Science Chair Group leads research and education in Geo-Information Science within the agro-environmental context of Wageningen University and Research. It drives excellent and internationally recognized fundamental research related to geo-data science, big data analytics, and human-space interactions in thematic domains such as agro-environmental applications and/or smart cities. The research is inspired by evolving geo-information technologies, and the need to develop novel data, tools and open-source solutions required to support interdisciplinary cooperation and empowering agro-environmental communities.

As head of the GIS Chair Group, you will strengthen the Chair Group's innovative research and education programme, and effectively and constructively manage the Chair 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 Chair Group in national and international networks, and you will further enhance the groups successes in generating impact both within and outside academia.

GIS Chair Group
Together with the Remote Sensing Chair Group the GIS Chair Group forms the laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing (www.wur.eu/grs). The mission of the laboratory is to improve spatial competences for a sustainable world. The laboratory is co-led by two chair holders in (1) Geo-Information Science (this vacancy) and (2) Remote Sensing. They take advantage of synergy between both fields and operate as one group. The research of the laboratory has a fundamental character and is represented in five themes:

1. Sensing and measuring
2. Modelling and visualization
3. Integrated land monitoring
4. Human-space interactions and
5. Empowering agro-environmental communities.

The laboratory is part of the Department of Environmental Sciences at Wageningen University. The department provides research and academic education on our living environment: nature, landscape, land use, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, water management, and the various competing claims on space.

The chair group (4 scientific staff, 3 postdocs, 4 technical staff and 13 PhD candidates) is efficiently organised and supported by dedicated secretarial, financial and HR advisors.

As a successful candidate, you:

• Have a PhD degree with a proven international scientific track record in the field of geo-information science, or a closely related field;
• Have a clear vision for future research and education on how geo-information science can contribute to sustainability in the agro-environmental context;
• Have proven management and leadership skills with an inspiring, unifying and reflective leadership style that creates synergy and supports people to develop and reach scientific excellence;
• Are an inspiring teacher and supervisor for students of diverse backgrounds, with proven ability to develop courses at BSc, MSc and PhD level, and an interest and capacity to innovate teaching methods;
• Have a strong international scientific network and are able to interact with professionals and societal partners in the development of research and education;
• 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 Geo-Information Science. 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.