Are you a talented, creative engineering scientist who would like to work on the foods of the future? Are you a pioneer who is inspired by surprising solutions for serious societal challenges? Are you ready to set up your own field, supported by and embedded in a world-leading research group? Then we may have just the right Tenure Track position for you.
The foods that we consume and enjoy every day are prepared by mixing the ingredients, and applying different treatments, such as heating, shaping and slicing or cutting. In the future, we may also prepare foods using additive assembly, in which we build up foods for example through 3D printing. This will allow us to make better plant based protein foods (meat analogues), better gluten free bread and other bakery products, and help children or elderly to overcome problems in their food intake. Robotic additive assembly will also help us to make food preparation safer, and better retain freshness.
We look for a motivated and creative assistant / associate professor in mechanical, chemical or food engineering. You have a demonstrably good scientific track record, and now wish to start your own research line. You are able to attract research funding, and set up a strong societal network (including industries). You can attract and manage a group of PhD students, postdocs and others. You inspire BSc and MSc students with your vision and high-quality educational activities.
Your research connects the understanding of complex food materials under processing conditions, with aspects of equipment design, automation and system control. You are interested in using strategies for adaptive control for additive food assembly, using fast coupling between sensor output and system control. Machine-consumer interaction may be a part of this. You are expected to active contribute to education, and will have the freedom to set up your own courses.
You will be an independent researcher with your own team, embedded in a large and growing research group on food processing, who will support you and your team. In turn, you will contribute to this group, with 40% of your time on your research, 40% on education and 20% on management.

Information Tenure track Wageningen University & Research
Wageningen University offers talented young scientists a challenging Tenure Track career trajectory. By introducing this trajectory, our aim is to attract top talent and to stimulate excellence.
From the position of Assistant/Associate Professor, candidates can grow into a Professor position, holding a personal chair in a manner solely determined by personal success. In addition, they will be given the chance to build up their own research line. It goes without saying that candidates will be intensively supervised and coached during the trajectory. Moreover, this transparent career path can lead to a permanent employment contract.

You should have a PhD degree in Food, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, and have a demonstrable scientific track record on your field. We highly appreciate international experience in the relevant field. Relevant experience with food materials and additive assembly is also appreciated. You should be willing to extend your expertise towards other disciplines, to create the next generation additive food assembly.
We will evaluate your application on several criteria:

• Research quality and output;
• Experience in and efforts toward acquiring external research funding;
• International (research) experience;
• Teaching experience and qualifications;
• BSc/MSc thesis and PhD dissertation supervision;
• (International) collaboration;
• management of (interdisciplinary) research projects

The position may be filled as assistant or associate professor, depending on merits and career stage.
This position requires an excellent English language proficiency (a mininum of CEFR C2 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page

The Food Process Engineering Group is a large and vibrant group that is world leading in its field, and offers a unique infrastructure. You will be able to set up your own research team, embedded within this group that will support you and your team with expertise, infrastructure and coaching, and with extra funds that offer you the first steps towards your research team. The position is part of a larger environment, with similar positions in other groups, and very relevant expertise and experience. You will have the freedom and means to develop your own educational program, which can become part of the regular educational program.

You will work within the Wageningen tenure-track system, which provides an excellent opportunity for academic development. It offers support for personal growth in research, acquisition, education (University Teaching Qualification), and leadership. If you fulfil the requirements, you will get tenured as an associate professor after six years of tenure track as an assistant professor. You can continue to grow into the role of personal professor. As the development of a research and education vision and an independent research line are important in this process, you will receive extensive coaching during. If you want to read more on the Wageningen University & Research tenure track, please see https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Why-choose-Wageningen-University-Research/Your-development-in-focus/Tenure-Track.htm

We offer a meaningful job with, depending on your experience, a competitive salary from a minimum of € 3.637,- to a maximum of € 6.738,- for a full working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement. The contract will be for 32-40 hours per week and will initially be temporary, leading to a permanent employment contract if you meet the tenure track criteria.

In addition we offer:

• an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% fixed-year allowance;
• an excellent pension scheme;
• excellent training opportunities and secondary working conditions;
• flexible working hours and vacations (in consultation with colleagues) to optimally balance work and personal life;
• 232 holiday hours, the ability to trade salary for additional holiday hours;
• good supplementary leave arrangements and an individualized model to compose part of your working conditions, including a bicycle plan;
• use of the sports facilities available on campus against a reduced fee.

Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a learning environment.

Wageningen University & Research

The Food Process Engineering Group is a large and growing community of scientists who work together on the next generation methods to produce healthier foods that are more efficient in use of resources. In the last international peer review, the group was found excellent on all three criteria (scientific excellence, societal relevance and viability). With four assistant and associate professors, three full professors, two teachers and 6 technicians, we form a community with around 40 PhD students and 80 - 100 BSc and MSc thesis students. The group strongly benefits from the other four Food Technology groups together offering an infrastructure and expertise on Food Technology that has no equal in the world.

The mission of our University is to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. Within Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With approximately 30 locations, 5,000 employees, and 12,000 students, it is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of 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.

Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need.

Acquisition regarding this vacancy is not appreciated.