Key Skills

Job Description

Your job The Laboratory of Phytopathology offers two new positions for Associate Professors with ambition to grow who will help shape the future of phytopathology through innovative research on disease resilience, pathogen adaptation, quantitative disease biology, predictive modelling, or mechanistic understanding of plant-pathogen interactions. As an Associate Professor in the Laboratory of Phytopathology, you will contribute to working on the frontier of phytopathology. You enjoy and have experience in developing novel concepts in plant-pathogen interactions on different scales (individual plant, population, ecosystem). You are a team player and able to connect to researchers in other chair groups at Wageningen University and establish an (inter)national network. You contribute to teaching and to mentoring colleagues in the team. You have the ambition to contribute to positioning the group in a competitive (funding) landscape. Specific topics that are complementary to the current research group are: theoretical phytopathology; predictive modelling / Bioinformatics; quantitative disease immunity; structural biology. However, researchers working on other cutting-edge theories/approaches in phytopathology are also encouraged to apply. Your Duties And Responsibilities Include develop novel concepts in plant-pathogen interactions; contribute to the funding of the group; contribute to (coordination and innovation of) teaching and supervision of PhD students and postdocs; develop (inter)national network and collaborations; mentoring and coaching of scientific staff. Your team You will work in a highly interdisciplinary and international research environment within the Laboratory of Phytopathology at Wageningen University. Currently, the permanent staff of the group consists of 5 researchers, 2 teachers, and 6 support staff. You will work here Laboratory of Phytopathology (https://www.wur.nl/en/chair-groups/laboratory-of-phytopathology) at Wageningen University. Your qualities You are an experienced and innovative researcher in phytopathology at the Associate Professor level and have the ambition to further develop your own position as well as the position of the Laboratory of Phytopathology. You are dedicated to teaching students. You are experienced in navigating the (inter)national funding landscape. You Also Possess vision on how to operate at the frontier of international phytopathology research; strong communication/mentoring skills, potential to act as an ambassador of the group; track record in initiating/participating in large consortia and Public-Private Partnerships; proven networking skills; feeling for translating research and connecting with industries and society, e.g. by working on (model) crops. In our international working environment, there is an increasing amount of English-language communication. For this position, it is essential to have excellent English language skills. We offer Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/conditions-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; 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 year-end bonus of 8.3%; excellent pension scheme. In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a gross salary of between € 6,764.- and € 8,992.- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/en/collective-labour-agreement-of-dutch-universities) (scale 13/14). Additionally, a contract for 32 to 38 hours can be discussed. We initially offer a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the organisation’s financial situation. If you are an internal employee, your current contract is the starting point. Ask your HR Business Partner about your situation specifically. We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy (https://wur.service-now.com/esc?id=kb_article&sysparm_article=KB0012172) sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. 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. Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center (https://wcfv.nl/en/home/global/our-services/happy-landing-and-living/). This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job. Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/expats-new-international-staff) page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands. Important information For more information about the position, please contact Willem Jan de Kogel, hiring manager, via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, Corporate Recruiter, via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Ready to apply? Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered. You can apply up to and including Saturday October 10th, 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before Saturday September 19th, 2026. Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date. Procedure As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the 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. We are 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 (https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Why-choose-WUR.htm) 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.

Core Responsibilities

Develop novel concepts in plant-pathogen interactions and contribute to the group's research, funding, and international network. Additionally, coordinate teaching activities, supervise PhD students and postdocs, and mentor scientific staff.

Requirements

Candidates must be experienced researchers at the Associate Professor level with a strong track record in phytopathology and international funding. Excellent English communication skills and a vision for innovative research at the frontier of the field are essential.

Benefits

• Sabbatical leave
• Study leave
• Partially paid parental leave
• Flexible working hours
• Sports facilities
• Fixed year-end bonus
• Pension scheme
• Visa application support
• Dual career program
• Tax exemption