The Rural Sociology Group of Wageningen University seeks a candidate for the position of assistant professor (tenure track; 0.8 - 1.0 fte) in agrarian sociology, with a focus on the domain of critical agrarian and rural studies. You will undertake independent research and participate in (international) research projects, focusing on topics such as inclusive agricultural and rural development, rural-urban transformations, agri-food system dynamics, international comparison of agrarian change, the practices and politics of agroecology, or the role of agriculture in circular economies. You will teach and coordinate one or more courses for the Bachelor and Master programs International Development Studies, the Master program Organic Agriculture, and the Gastronomy specialization of the Master program Food Technology. You will also supervise Bachelor and Master thesis students for these programs. Other aspects of the job include project acquisition, training and supervision of PhD students and participation in research or education committees.
Approximately 40-45% of your time will be spent on research, 40- 45% on education and 10-20% on management and service activities. Candidates with research experience in the global south are particularly encouraged to apply.

We are looking for candidates that have

• A PhD degree in agrarian or rural sociology, human geography, anthropology, or related social science discipline;
• An inspiring vision on agrarian sociology and the future challenges and priorities of farming and agriculture from a critical perspective;
• Evidence of high quality research in agrarian/rural sociology, preferably proven by the ability to publish in leading scientific journals or with top academic publishers;
• A relevant international academic network, combined with good connections with grassroots networks and policymakers (at different levels);
• Ample empirical research experience in different geographical settings (at least partly in the global South), allowing for a comparative perspective;
• Ability to develop high-quality research proposals and to be(come) successful in the acquisition of externally funded research grants;
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary and international teams;
• Good didactic qualities and the capacity to motivate and inspire students;
• Teaching competences that comply with the Learning and Teaching in Higher Education Program (LTHEP, in Dutch referred to as BKO, a system adopted by all Dutch universities) or willingness to follow the LTHEP;
• Strong communicative and interpersonal skills and a flexible and collaborative attitude.
• Fluency in English and willingness to learn Dutch.

We offer talented scholars a challenging career trajectory called Tenure Track. You will be given the opportunity to build up your own research line. From the position of Assistant Professor you can grow into the position of a Professor holding a Personal Chair in twelve years. Training and coaching are provided and interdisciplinary (international) cooperation is stimulated.

The Tenure Track starts with a temporary contract for 0.8 to 1.0 fte, with the possibility of extension, and should lead to a permanent employment contract. The gross salary for an Assistant Professor ranges from € 3.545 to € 4.852 per month based on full time employment and depending on qualifications and experience. In addition we offer an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end- of-year bonus (8.3%), the ABP Pension scheme and training and career development. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may also qualify for a temporary special tax relief, in which 30% of their salary is exempt from tax.

For more information about Tenure Track within Wageningen UR look at www.wageningenur.nl/en/Jobs/Your-development-in-focus/Tenure-Track.htm

Wageningen University & Research

Central to the research program of the Rural Sociology is a relational and place-based approach to transformation processes, explored from the perspective of the everyday life of people, and with a focus on food provisioning, territorial development and reconstructing rurality. These processes are studied from an range of critical perspectives (e.g. interpretative/constructivist and micro-sociological perspective, cultural political economy, or governmentality studies). We actively engage in interdisciplinary (including collaborations with natural scientists), multi-method and multi-stakeholder approaches. A common denominator in our research is the focus on actors, agency, institutionalization of practices, differential development paths, and political organization.
Our mission is to contribute to the development of sustainable and socially acceptable modes of food provisioning, which foster social justice and rural resilience. Through our research we attempt to un-familiarize the familiar and undertake critical analyses, but, importantly, also be transformative by engaging in the exploration of new practices and by showing a diversity of credible options beyond dominant understandings and constellations. A key characteristic of our research program is its threefold relevance: it should contribute to the scientific development of our field and scientific discipline(s), inform policymaking and provide support for practitioners.

The Rural Sociology Group is embedded in the sub-department Space, Place & Society (SPS) together with three other chair groups: Health & Society (HSO), Sociology of Consumption and Households (SCH), and Sociology of Development and Change (SDC). Within SPS the groups share administrative support and collaborate in education. Together with the Cultural Geography group the sub-department Space, Place and Society has founded the Centre for Space, Place and Society (CSPS), which aims to advance critical-constructive scholarship within the social sciences with a particular focus on issues of socio-spatial