Are you the 'tenure track' candidate who want to build your own research group? Do you have a strong interest in gill functioning and are you curious about the interaction between the environment (e.g. water quality) and fish health? Do you approach research questions at cellular and organismal level and use the newest molecular, microbial and (immuno)histological read-outs when relevant? Than you are the colleague we are looking for.

We are looking for a comparative physiologist
The Aquaculture and Fisheries (AFI) group of the Department of Animal Sciences is aims to be leading in academic research and education on sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries, with a focus on society-relevant questions and interactions between aquatic organisms and their environment.
We consider the gills a crucial organ for maintaining fish health. Gills are well-known as the major site for physiological exchanges with the surrounding environment, extremely important for oxygen and carbon dioxide gas exchange but also ion acquisition, acid-base regulation and nitrogenous waste excretion. Gas exchange is structurally facilitated by thin epithelial layers at gill filaments that form the basic functional units with rows of plate-like lamellae, creating a typically large surface area under influence of beneficial but also pathogenic microbes. These characteristics place fish gills central to maintaining fish growth in (recirculating) aquaculture systems but also make fish gills highly vulnerable to water-borne infectious agents, with gill-associated immune tissue playing a defensive role maintaining fish health.

The ideal candidate is characterized by the following;

• You have a PhD in Biology, Animal Sciences, Veterinary Sciences or alike;
• It is preferable that you have some years of post-doctoral experience;
• You are proactive, eager to learn and like to work independent as part of the team;
• You enjoy research as well as teaching.
• 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

We offer ample training and mentorship and stimulate interdisciplinary (international) cooperation. As 'tenure track' candidate, your challenging and meaningful career trajectory will depend on your ambition and expertise.

We will only be selecting the best talent to take part in tenure track. Always within the scientific boundaries set by the chair group, as tenure track candidate you are expected to build your own research group.
Tenure Track is without doubt an excellent stepping stone to further develop yourself and your academic career and most suitable for scientists who can excel in both, education and research. It offers talented scientists a challenging tenure track career trajectory: depending on your experience, you will start as an Assistant Professor and will grow into the position of Associate or Full Professor over a period of six to twelve years. This challenging career path can lead to a permanent position at Wageningen University & Research when you meet the quality criteria, evaluated by independent assessment teams.

We offer a temporary contract (for 7 years) with the possibility of extension and finally a permanent position. Your salary will depend on expertise and experience. Gross salary for Assistant Professors is from €3,637 to €5,656 per month and for Associate Professors from €5,039 to €6,738 per month based on full time employment.

In addition, we offer an attractive benefits package

• 8% holiday allowance;
• 8.3% fixed-year allowance;
• Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may also qualify for a special tax relief, in which 30% of their salary is exempt from tax;
• Excellent training opportunities and secondary working conditions;
• Flexible working hours and vacations in consultation with colleagues is possible so that an optimal balance between work and private is possible;
• An excellent pension scheme via ABP;
• 232 holiday hours, the ability to purchase and good supplementary leave arrangements and an individualized model to compose part of your working conditions and a bicycle plan;
• Make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee.

We stimulate internal growth opportunities and mobility with an active and internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a creative learning environment.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 6,000 employees, and 12,000 students, Wageningen University & Research 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.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at thespecial career site.

The Aquaculture and Fisheries (AFI) group of the Department of Animal Sciences
Our aims is to be leading in academic research and education on sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries, with a focus on society-relevant questions and interactions between aquatic organisms and their environment. Our education offered to BSc, MSc and PhD students is closely aligned with our research. Our aquaculture research is focused on the interaction between fish nutrition, water quality and fish health in aquaculture production systems.

AFI has full access to the University's 1900 m2 aquatic research facility and laboratories. At AFI, our aquaculture experts study the interaction between nutrition, water quality and health in aquaculture production systems, be it recirculating or ponds. We believe that much of the future demand for fish will need to be achieved via understanding of nutritious ponds concepts and land-based recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS).