Full Professor and Chair of the Soil Physics and Land Management group

The Soil Physics and Land Management chair group of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has an outstanding international reputation in scientific research and education and develops fundamental and applied knowledge of soil physical processes in relation to soil and land management, while also contributing to the academic training of future scientists and other professionals. A vacancy has become available for a full professor and chair of the Soil Physics and Land Management (SLM) chair group.

The SLM group advances understanding of soil physical processes and their role in supporting soil functions and addresses sustainable soil and land management to support global societal challenges of climate, water and food security. SLM’s research focuses on soil physical processes including distribution and transport of particles, heat, water and solutes over the soil surface and through soils and groundwater, in interaction with soil management and land restoration across various spatio-temporal scales.

Together with fellow staff members, you will be responsible for the academic and operational management, including education and research quality, finances and HR, of this chair group. In collaboration, you will define the research strategy and lead the team of academic and support staff in an inclusive and motivating way. You will use your scientific expertise and network to support and strengthen academic development, to maintain the international visibility of the group’s research and its societal impact, (co)create new research directions, collaborate with other disciplines and develop externally funded research programs. You will also contribute to the development, innovation and execution of education in BSc, MSc and PhD courses and programs, to maintain and strengthen the excellent reputation and position of WUR in national, European and international higher education. You will be working for an inspiring international organisation 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 Soil Physiscs and Land Management chair group. Besides a competitive salary (maximum gross salary for starting chair holders is € 10.138,- 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).

Coming from abroad
We are a globally leading university in the 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.

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. The chair group Soil Physics and Land Management (SLM).

This diverse and international group consists of about 90 colleagues, including a full professor, a special professor, 6 associate professors, 5 assistant professors, 5 permanent researchers, 5 lecturers, 8 postdocs, around 60 PhD candidates, and 14 technical/support staff members. The group is one of the 17 chair groups in the Department of Environmental Sciences (ESG).

The SLM chair group research centres around three research lines:

• Soil physical processes: physical soil characteristics and transport of particles, heat, water, and solutes over the soil surface and through the soil profile and groundwater;
• Soil-plant-water interactions: soil physical processes in the root zone, water movement, and ecohydrological interactions and interventions that influence plant growth;
• Soil management and land restoration: measures and approaches to address degradation, conservation, and restoration of physical soil quality.

Education is a core activity of the group. The SLM chair group plays a leading role in the BSc and MSc International land and water management as well as in the BSc Soil, Water, Atmosphereand MSc program Earth and Environment of Wageningen University and teaches a variety of BSc and MSc courses, ranging from soil physics and groundwater modelling courses to courses on impact assessment and policy aspects of sustainable land management.
The group’s research is embedded in the graduate school programmes of the Wageningen Institute for Environment and Climate Research (WIMEK) and Production Ecology & Resource Conservation (PE&RC). Together with three other soil chair groups, i.e Soil Biology, Soil Chemistry, and Soil Geography and Landscape, the SLM group forms the Wageningen Soil Cluster which has a strong international reputation in soil science.

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

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

• You have a PhD degree and a strong internationally proven scientific track record in the field of soil physics, also in relation to soil and land management;
• You are an experienced leader with a supportive and inclusive leadership style that stimulates personal development, collaboration and team effort and can lead the group’s further development. You stimulate creativity, ambition, innovation and cohesion of the group;
• you have excellent didactic qualities, proven record of education innovation and experience with inspiring and supervising BSc, MSc and PhD students with diverse backgrounds; you value education and research equally;
• you have a strong track record in securing funding and competitive grants;
• you have an inspiring vision on strengthening the role and position of the group, and the group’s research and education within WUR, nationally and internationally.

Further information about the position can be acquired from Prof. dr. Arthur Mol, chair of the Appointment Advisory Committee (AAC). Email: arthur.mol@wur.nl

For more information about the procedure you can contact Dr. Koen Wetser, Secretary of the Appointment Advisory Committee. Email: koen.wetser@wur.nl

Application
You are encouraged to upload your complete application and address this to Dr. Koen Wetser. The application should include (as pdf documents):

• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
• A curriculum vitae including the names of 4 references (in total max. 4 pages)
• A separate list of publications
• Your vision on research and education in the domain of the Chair (max. 2 pages).

The closing date of the vacancy is September 8th 2025

The Committee will interview selected candidates for this position on Thursday October 30. The Committee will thereafter invite short-listed candidates for a second interview and a public lecture on Wednesday November 26.

An assessment can be part of the selection procedure.

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.