We are looking for an innovative and dynamic full professor and chair to lead the Operations Research and Logistics (ORL) Group at Wageningen University & Research (permanent position, 0.8 - 1.0 fte), the world leading university in the domain of agri-food and number 64 on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018.

The science area of Operations Research and Logistics at Wageningen University & Research can be characterised as the field of model-based design of effective and efficient logistics systems in agri-food and bio-based supply chains. By developing mathematical models and efficient solution techniques to analyse complex situations, Operations Research enables more effective decisions, more productive and more sustainable supply chains based on comprehensive data analytics, considering all available options, using the latest decision tools and techniques. Better Logistics Management can be realized by closing product-, material- or mineral loops, multimodal transportation and improved fuel use in an efficient transportation network, thus improving the performance of food chains.

Focus: The current strategic research themes of ORL are: (i) Sustainable Supply Chains, (ii) Quality and Waste within Agri-food Supply Chains, (iii) Sustainable Diet Modelling, (iv) Metropolitan Logistics and (v) Logistics in a Circular (Biobased) Economy.

ORL builds upon innovative Management Science concepts, integrating theories, models and methods from e.g. Environmental Science and Food Science. Therefore, ORL acts as a bridging science area between the beta and gamma science fields within Wageningen University, while offering ample opportunities to collaborate with other operations research and logistics disciplines in the Netherlands and worldwide.

As head of the ORL chair 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 provides a supportive working environment to young and senior academics. Further strengthening the acquisition of external funding for research and attracting the best PhD candidates are key elements of your responsibility; for this you can build on the existing scientific and stakeholder networks of the group. You will further strengthen the profile of the group in national and international networks, and you will further enhance the group's scientific and societal impact.

The current group (12 scientific staff, 10 PhD candidates and supporting Secretary and Deputy Administrator) is efficiently organised and supported by dedicated financial and HR advisors. The student community is largely international and the courses of the group are taught in English.

The ORL- chair group is embedded in the sub-department of Business Sciences (BS), consisting of the Business Economics Group (BEC), the Information Technology group (INF), Marketing and Consumer Behaviour (MCB), Business Management and Organisation (BMO), Education and Learning Science (ELS) and ORL. The BS sub-department shares a research and education vision for the students in the Business orientation within the Bachelor Business and Consumer Science (BBC) and the Master Management, Economics and Consumer Studies (MME) education programmes.

As a successful candidate, you:

• Are a scholar with a PhD degree in operations research and/or quantitative logistics (incl. industrial engineering);
• With a proven affinity with the agri-food and/or bio-based field;
• With a proven scientific track record of recognised international quality in the field of operations research and/or quantitative logistics in agri-food and bio-based supply chains;
• Have a vision on future research and education on operations research and logistics in agri-food and bio-based supply chains;
• Have a demonstrated ability to lead disciplinary and interdisciplinary research;
• Have the ability to manage professionals and have an inspiring, collegial, and unifying leadership style characterized by a 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, vision and capacity to innovate teaching methods;
• Possess a proven capacity of acquiring, leading and managing externally-funded research projects;
• Have the ability to effectively interact with professionals and societal partners in the development of research and education.

You will be working in an inspiring international organisation with a large number of interdisciplinary projects all over the world. A strong commitment to teaching and fundamental research, combined with innovative applied research, creates a rich learning environment. Our students - the innovators of tomorrow - also benefit from first-class research and educational facilities.

The scientific quality of Wageningen University & Research is affirmed by our prominent position in international rankings and citation indices. Dutch students have voted Wageningen University & Research as the best university in the Netherlands for fourteen years in a row.

We offer you a challenging position as full professor and Chair of ORL. 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 is a centre for education, research and entrepreneurship. 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. It is a historic university town of about 36,000 residents in the central Netherlands. The academic community hails from more than 100 countries, giving the town a lively, international feel.

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 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. A specialized staffing agency will help your partner to find a job.

The Wageningen University & Research's International Community page (https://www.wur.nl/en/International-students-and-staff.htm) contains practical information about what we 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, 5500 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.nl/career.