Wageningen University & Research is recruiting a full professor (0.8 - 1.0 fte) to lead the Entomology chair group. The chair group studies many aspects of insect life, from molecular signalling mechanisms and evolutionary biology to insect behaviour in ecologically relevant settings. The group works on insects as disease vectors, insect-plant interactions and insect development from different scientific perspectives. It aims to make fundamental contributions to science, but also achieves positive impact in societal challenges such as sustainable food production, reversing biodiversity loss, and adapting farming systems to climate change. The group’s teaching portfolio reflects the breadth of the research: from the molecular to the ecological level, covering basic principles as well as their applications in society.

We are excited to recruit a new professor and group chair who will bring an inspiring vision on the future of entomological research and education within the domains of Wageningen University. The position of chair of the Entomology group provides you with the opportunity to further develop your own research track and your leadership profile with a diverse team of talented researchers, lecturers, and support staff. Together with other staff members, you are responsible for the academic and operational management of this chair group. Of primary importance to Wageningen UR is an inclusive and safe working environment for all employees and students, and the new chair must be willing to foster an inspiring and creative academic climate for the members of the chair group.

More information about our research projects, education and publications can be found at the Entomology website. A virtual tour on WUR’s green and sustainable campus can be taken here.

The Entomology chair group is currently composed of 5 tenured and non-tenured scientific staff, 1 special professor, 3 lecturers, 5 postdoctoral researchers, 41 PhD candidates and 11 support staff. It is embedded in the Plant Sciences Group, one of five science groups at Wageningen University & Research, which has state-of-the-art instruments and facilities. The Plant Sciences Group comprises 19 chair groups and 8 applied research units. The chair group Entomology is affiliated with the graduate schools Experimental Plant Sciences (EPS) and Production Ecology and Resource Conservation (PE&RC). The new chair will contribute constructively to the development and leadership of the science group and the wider collaborative research and impact environment at WUR.

• You have a vision on important future trends and developments in the Entomology field, including your own research area, and you have ideas how these developments could translate into concrete plans for development of the chair group.
• You have experience in leading professionals in an academic environment with a supportive and inclusive leadership style that stimulates personal development, collaboration, and team effort.
• You have ample experience with and were successful in attracting funding and competitive grants.
• You are an experienced and enthusiastic teacher and supervisor of students at different academic levels (i.e., BSc, MSc) with an enthusiastic commitment to train the next-generation entomologists.
• You have concrete ideas how to contribute to and support the continuing ambitions of the chair group to achieve positive societal impact.

You will be working for a diverse internationally-oriented organization with research collaborations all over the world. We offer a position as full professor and chair of the Entomology group. In addition to a competitive salary (maximum gross salary for starting chair holders is € 9.680,- per month), we offer several 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. International candidates moving to the Netherlands may benefit from a special tax relief, by which 30% of their salary is exempt from tax. For further details see: https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Moving-to-the-Netherlands.htm.

The position as chair is also open for candidates who prefer to work 0.8 fte instead of fulltime.Coming from abroadWe are a globally leading university in the 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.

Coming from abroad
We are a globally leading university in the 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.

The university’s highly qualified team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. Furthermore, WUR offers a dual career programme for groups of partners and a specialised organization will further assist your partner in finding a job or starting a business in the Netherlands. Furthermore, we assist you in finding schools for your children and advise you on finding housing in the region or elsewhere in the Netherlands. The Wageningen University & Research's (WUR) International Community page contains practical information about what we do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR


We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.