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Vacancy: full professor Green Urban Planning and Design

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February 22, 2013

The full professor (1.0 / 0.8 fte) is responsible for the scientific development of interdisciplinary research and education in the field of Green Urban Planning and Design (GUPD) in close cooperation with some current staff members of the Landscape Architecture (LAR) and Land Use Planning (LUP) groups.

The chair Green Urban Planning and Design will focus on the development of new planning and design principles and concepts for dealing with the functioning of the urban metabolism, including creating sustainable spatial green and blue solutions for flows of energy, water and materials (or cycles) in the urban environment.

Vacancy code WU-2013-HL003
Location Wageningen
Format type Hoogleraren / Professors
End date Mo. 1 April 2013
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We ask

The successful candidate is a dynamic person, a recognised authority in the scientific field and an inspiring team leader. S/he holds a PhD degree in the field of Green Urban Planning and Design or comparable field. S/he has excellent academic and practical experience in this field as shown in an internationally strong publication record, good international networks in the field and an active involvement in societal debates. S/he has extensive international project/research experience and a proven record in raising research/project funding.

The candidate is able to initiate and realise scientific synergies; both across the research themes within the group, other WU chair groups and with partners outside WU. S/he has an inspiring long term vision on the development of the scientific GUPD field and a clear view on its scientific and societal impact. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a passion for teaching at all academic levels and the ability to inspire students of diverse cultural backgrounds.

We offer

We offer a full-time permanent position as full professor, participating in an enthusiastic, diverse and creative team and a growing group of PhD students. Gross monthly salary dependent on expertise and experience of up to € 7142.- for full time employment of 38 hours per week. We offer flexible working conditions to support a good work – life balance of our employees.

Informal inquiries should be addressed to the chair of the Selection Committee,

Prof.dr. Bert Holtslag at Bert.Holtslag@wur.nl or telephone: +31 317 485519.

Application

Wageningen University strives for a better gender balance to improve the quality of our organisation. Therefore we explicitly invite female candidates to apply.

Applications should include (a) a motivational letter, (b) a 1000-word statement of research and education interests and intended direction, (c) curriculum vitae, (d) list of publications and (e) name, affiliation, telephone number and email of three referees. Please send your application to Mr Johan Feenstra, e-mail: Johan.Feenstra@wur.nl , or send it to PO Box 47, 6700AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

The closing date for applications is 8 March 2013. Job interviews will be held on 9 April 2013. Selected candidates will be required to present a public trial lecture on 22 May 2013. This lecture should show (1) the candidates’ excellence in teaching and (2) their vision on intended research and education and its realization, considering the group’s expertise.

We are

The Landscape Architecture group is an enthusiastic, diverse and creative team, currently consisting of 12 scientific staff members (full, associate, assistant professors and lecturers), 3 assistants and 6 PhD candidates (see www.lar.wur.nl/uk). The GUPD chair is embedded in the LAR chair group at the overarching Environmental Sciences Group (ESG), one of five sciences groups at Wageningen University.

Wageningen University and Research Centre
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus – each and every day. Within our domain, healthy food and 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, 6,500 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 UR, take a look at www.jobsat.wur.nl.


Full Professor Green Urban Planning and Design (GUPD)

The full professor (1.0 / 0.8 fte) will be embedded into the Landscape Architecture (LAR) chair group at the overarching Environmental Systems Group (ESG).

The chair GUPD is responsible for the scientific development of interdisciplinary research and education in the field of Green Urban Planning and Design in close cooperation with some current staff members of the Landscape Architecture (LAR) and Land Use Planning (LUP) groups. The chair Green Urban Planning and Design will focus on the development of new planning and design principles and concepts for dealing with the functioning of the urban metabolism, including creating sustainable spatial green and blue solutions for flows of energy, water and materials (or cycles) in the urban environment.

The successful candidate:

  • is a dynamic person, a recognised authority in the scientific field and an inspiring team leader,
  • is able to lead and be a member of an enthusiastic, diverse and creative team, including a group of PhD candidates,
  • is able to facilitate and forge scientific synergies; both across the research themes within the group, other Wageningen UR research groups and with partners outside Wageningen UR,
  • is able to co-operate with researchers from other scientific disciplines, both from the natural and from the social sciences,
  • has a distinctive scientific profile and associated network,
  • is able to inspire colleagues and students.

Therefore the candidate should:

  • hold a PhD degree in the field of Green Urban Planning and Design or a comparable field,
  • have excellent academic and practical experience in the field of Green Urban Planning and Design as shown in an internationally strong publication record, good international networks in the field, and an active involvement in societal debates,
  • have an inspiring long term vision on the development of the scientific GUPD field and a clear view on the scientific and societal impact of the scientific field,
  • have extensive (inter)national project/research experience; a proven record in raising research/project funding; excellent research management capacities and a commitment to group development and student support,
  • be able to communicate the vision of the group’s research and teaching, both within Wageningen University as within new and existing long-term networks of international partner universities and organisations,
  • have demonstrable good didactic and communication skills and is an inspiring teacher.

Profile

The full professor Green Urban Planning and Design focuses on the development of new concepts for sustainable urban planning and design with special attention to urban metabolism, urban ecology, and the translation of the circular economy concept in urban planning and design.

In the context of Wageningen University, the city is interpreted as a complex system of urban and natural processes. These processes have to be analysed in their site-specific context, on multiple scales and through different time periods. To understand the functioning of the city, a holistic view is needed which focuses on processes and interrelationships.

Recent global developments, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, the energy crisis and the threatening shortage of natural resources, as well as local problems, such as fast growing megacities, poverty, food supply & distribution, and environmental pollution, pose new challenges in the planning & design of the urban realm. In cities, the concept of metabolism is expanded by Tansley (1935) from living cells to encompass material and energetic flows in urban systems. This so-called “urban metabolism” is a framework for modelling complex urban systems, material and energy flows as if the city were an ecosystem.

Against this background research of the chair Green Urban Planning and Design will focus on the development of new planning and design principles and concepts for dealing with the functioning of the urban metabolism, including creating sustainable spatial green and blue solutions for flows of energy, water and materials (or cycles) in the urban environment.

Research

The research is oriented on the urban environments of the future and focuses on:

  • The role and importance of urban greening in public well-being, and economic and ecological viability.
  • Sustainable game changing designs based on a deepened understanding of urban metabolism.
  • Adaptation of the spatial functioning of cities & urban structures in the light of challenges for water, climate, energy, food, and mobility.
  • Translation of the circular economy concept in urban planning, design and management, enhancing urban resilience to climate and resource change in the future.
  • The city as part of the ecosystem: the role of green and blue spaces for the ecological functioning of cities; creating connecting areas between green and blue (public) spaces and the rural environment. 

Education

The professor Green Urban Planning and Design will contribute to the BSc programmes “Landscape Architecture and Planning” and the MSc programmes “Urban Environmental Management” and “Landscape Architecture and Planning”.

Context

The full professor will be embedded into the Landscape Architecture (LAR) chair group at the overarching Environmental Systems Group (ESG). It is our intention to give this professorship the opportunity to grow into a full chair group in the future, if the development of this new research field is successful.

The professor Green Urban Planning and Design will contribute to the improvement of the broader research field Sustainable Urban Development in close cooperation with the chair groups Land Use Planning / LUP (integrating ecosystem services in urban regional planning), Environmental Technology / ETE (development and implementation of sustainable water and energy technology); Environmental Policy / ENP (policy, governance and transition management) and Public Administration and Policy / PAP (governance of adaptation), Environmental Systems Analysis (systems analysis), Rural Sociology / RSO (urban agriculture; food supply system), Earth System Science (adaptation to climate proofing cities), Meteorology and Air Quality (urban climate) and the spatial planning and ecology research group at the research institute Alterra, part of Wageningen UR.



Acquisition regarding this vacancy is not appreciated.