Full Professor and Chair of the Marine Animal Ecology Group

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is recruiting a full professor to lead the Marine Animal Ecology chair group (MAE). As Chair, you are responsible for the group’s research, education, and operational management, including finances and human resources.

The primary research and education focus of the chair group MAE is on the adaptation of marine animals to their abiotic and biotic environmental context. This understanding contributes to four societal themes: (1) biodiversity monitoring, including using state-of-the-art techniques, (2) climate change, including the eco-physiological understanding of resilience and functioning of species; (3) the effects of local stressors, including (bycatch in) fisheries, and the influence of substances such as ammonia to be used in ship fuels; and (4) nature-based solutions, including eco-based reef restoration, coastal protection, and the development of biobased and bio-inspired materials. All four themes align with the overarching research focus on biodiversity, ranging from the molecular (genetic) level to ecosystem-level. The current research increasingly contributes to supporting ecologically sustainable marine developments related to energy, food, and nature transitions.

MAE invests in science-driven teaching and contributes extensively to several bachelor and master programs within WUR. Our teaching for example includes state-of-the-art underwater biodiversity monitoring techniques and scientific diving. Of particular focus is the Bachelor Marine Sciences, which started with 100+ students in 2023, and the newly initiated Shared Marine underwater Research Facility (SMuRF), where chair groups collaboratively work on a variety of research topics together with students. The new Bachelor and the development of facilities to accommodate student research will remain a major focus for the group in the coming years. 

• You are a scholar with a PhD degree and an internationally proven scientific track record in the field of marine ecology (such as marine molecular ecology, marine animal eco-physiology, ecological (field) research).

• You have the experience and skills to develop long-term strategic ideas into concrete plans - for example, in understanding and supporting national and international developments, particularly in ecosystem transitions.

• You are an approachable and empathetic mentor and an effective communicator. You have experience in providing motivating and inclusive leadership in a multidisciplinary team, fostering collaboration, scientific cohesion, and synergy while supporting the professional development and well-being of team members. You see value in generating trust and collaboration in a team and stimulating a healthy life-work balance.

• You have proven experience and success in attracting funding for scientific research in an (inter)national context.

• You have and are able to further develop and maintain a broad (inter)national network with different partners (e.g., academic institutes, societal organizations, policymakers, private sector). You foster collaboration between the team and the network.

• You have a passion for, and ample experience in, BSc, MSc and PhD education in an international context, and in the individual supervision of students and PhD candidates. You have long-term strategic ideas on education and concrete plans for the further development and innovation of MAE education.   

• You have experience in representing and communicating research subject areas to the wider community and in contributing to the societal debate, for example through appearances in the media.

Your team

MAE comprises over 50 members working full time or part time from diverse international backgrounds, including 24 scientific and educational staff members, 24 PhD candidates, and 2 research assistants. MAE is part of the graduate school Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences (WIAS) and one of the 12 chair groups within the department of Animal Sciences (ASG) of WUR.

The marine aquaculture facilities in CARUS enables the chair group to conduct high-end eco-physiological research on marine animals bred there in the vicinity of on-campus research facilities. Furthermore, MAE occupies the leading role in developing larger-scale modular Shared Marine underwater Research Facilities (SMuRF) within CARUS and facilitating collaborations herein between chair groups. Additionally, MAE maintains a shared molecular laboratory where we conduct DNA and RNA analyses to study marine life and ecosystems. Our research focuses on environmental DNA (eDNA)-based biodiversity assessments, whole-genome sequencing, DNA methylation, and transcriptomic analyses. Lastly, MAE has access to international field locations in Kenya, Saba, Croatia and on Svalbard, and collaborations with scientists in the Bahamas. Within the field locations we perform monitoring and restoration projects also using scientific diving.

MAE is part of a cluster with the chair groups Animal Breeding and Genomics (ABG) and Infectious Disease Epidemiology (IDE), where collaboration is strengthened through joint PhD projects and shared administrative support. MAE maintains active collaborations with chair groups across the science groups, including Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management (AEW), Environmental Policy (ENP), Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter (PCC), Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing (GRS), Cultural Geography (GEO), and Aquaculture Biology and Fisheries Ecology (AFI).  MAE also maintains strong ties with Wageningen Marine Research (WMR), strengthened through joint appointments. Moreover, the MAE group collaborates nationally and internally with other universities and research institutes (such as NIOZ, Wetsus, Van Hall Larenstein, Naturalis, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology and University of Twente).

More information on the group can be found on the link to site Chairgroup: Marine Animal Ecology Group | WUR.

You will be working for an inspiring international organization actively engaged in a large number of interdisciplinary projects all over the world. The scientific quality of Wageningen University & Research is affirmed by the prominent position we occupy in international rankings and citation indices.

We offer you a position as Full Professor and chair of the Marine Animal Ecology chair group. Besides a competitive salary (maximum gross salary for starting chair holders is € 10,441.- per month), 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. International candidates moving to the Netherlands may benefit from a special tax relief, by which a part of their salary is exempt from tax for several years. 

Working hours can be discussed to optimize the work-life balance (32-38 hours per week).

We are a globally leading university in the life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world. Therefore, Wageningen has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. 

The university’s 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. Furthermore, WUR offers a dual career programme for partners to assist your partner in finding a job or starting a business in the Netherlands. Furthermore, we assist you in finding schools for your children and advise you on finding housing in the region or elsewhere in the Netherlands. The Wageningen University & Research (WUR) International Community Page contains practical information about what we do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen.

Further information about the position can be acquired from Prof. dr. Geert Wiegertjes, chair of the Appointment Advisory Committee (AAC). Email: geert.wiegertjes@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, contact Emma van Dijk, Secretary of the Appointment Advisory Committee (AAC). Email: emma.vandijk@wur.nl.

Application

You are invited to address your application to Emma van Dijk and upload it via our website. The application should include (as pdf documents):

• An application letter with curriculum vitae.

• A separate list of publications.

• Your vision on research and education in the domain of the chair (Max 2 pages).

• A statement on your leadership style and experience (Max 2 pages).

The closing date for applications is May 8, 2026. Selected candidates for this position will be invited for an interview to be held on June 2 or 3. The committee will thereafter invite short-listed candidates for a second interview and a public lecture on June 25 or 26. 

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

​The mission of Wageningen University & 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, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below 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.

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