Do you want to work on a key challenge for the future of the circular economy? Do you have a drive for performing fundamental research that leads to technological innovations? Are you interested in working in an interdisciplinary team on environmental technologies for water, soil, sludges, and other organic wastes?

The department of Environmental Technology is looking for a new tenure tracker to strengthen and expand our research on treatment technologies for removal of organic micropollutants (contaminants of emerging concern; CECs). Specifically, the position focuses on technologies to remove micropollutants from solid phases where sorption processes dominate. The group currently focuses almost exclusively on hydrophilic micropollutants, and the new tenure tracker should help to expand the group's research to include less hydrophilic compounds. The position thus focuses on more hydrophobic micropollutants that remain in organic solid phases in treatment systems, such as activated carbon in water treatment filters, sludges and other organic wastes, and soils and sediments. This entails research on sorption and desorption processes in combination with chemical and biological degradation processes.

The tenure tracker should have a strong background in sorption and desorption mechanisms and have experience with modelling these sorption processes. New knowledge on the principles of adsorption of complex organic chemicals, such as pharmaceutical residues and industrial chemicals such as PFOAs, onto organic and mineral fractions of various solid materials should be built, and on how their desorption can be combined with a subsequent degradation. Furthermore, the tenure tracker should have a background in reactor systems, with the ability to design and execute research with novel solid phase based reactors for removal of micropollutants combining sorption and degradation. The sorption, degradation and treatment knowledge will be generated and used by you in research MSc and PhD projects and in education on circular economy and pollution prevention approaches, with the objective to reuse solid materials without ecological or human health risks related to adsorbing chemicals.

In this challenging career trajectory as Assistant Professor in the field of Treating Micropollutants in Solid Phases:
You will:

• be responsible for the organization, implementation and coordination of new research activities in the field of micropollutant treatment technologies;
• you will be building up a leading international position;
• you have an affinity with teaching and inspiring BSc, MSc and PhD students, both in class and individually;
• you will develop new teaching courses on Environmental Technology and specifically the field of micropollutant treatment technologies.

Tenure Track is a career path for hardworking scientists who pursue to excel in education and research. We seek to attract scientific talent and to stimulate and support their development.

You are as an Assistant Professor an ambitious and enthusiastic scientist and a team player, devoted to research and education in Environmental Technology.

You have:

• a successfully completed academic study (MSc level; recognised in The Netherlands) in a field related to Environmental Sciences or Environmental Engineering;
• a PhD in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Biobased Sciences or similar;
• knowledge and expertise in micropollutant treatment technologies;
• affinity with translating fundamental research into technological innovation;
• international experience, preferable through PhD or post-doc abroad;
• you have experience in modelling processes;
• ample experience with management of complex projects;
• experience in acquisition of independent research funding;
• excellent communication skills;
• enthusiasm for teaching and didactic qualities for working with ( under ) graduate students.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will be offered a fixed-term, 7 year contract which, upon positive evaluation based on criteria elaborated in the University's Tenure Track policy, can lead to a permanent employment contract as professor. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3821,- and € 5230,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 11).

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the "Best University" in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

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, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

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. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Wageningen University & Research

Environmental Technology (part of AFSG) develops and evaluates innovative environmental technologies and concepts based on processes from nature, to recover and reuse essential components and maintain and recreate a viable environment. Our education inspires students to develop their talents. We impact society by innovation through top science and focus on applicability.

The Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group (AFSG) is part of Wageningen University & Research where fundamental and applied sciences complement each other. As an important international player, we carry out top-level research and work alongside authoritative partners within the international business world as well as the government on "Healthy food in a biobased society". We have a crucial role in innovations within the market. Entrepreneurship and professionalism are what define us. In short, we are an interesting, international employer of stature.

The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. 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.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

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