Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) – Environmental Economics and Natural Resource Group (ENR) – Wageningen University

We are looking for

The Environmental Economics and Natural Resource (ENR) Group at Wageningen University and Research (WUR) is part of the Section Economics of the Department of Social Sciences. It is affiliated with two graduate schools, the Wageningen School of Social Sciences (WASS) and the Wageningen Institute for Environmental and Climate Research (WIMEK).

The goal of the ENR Group is to contribute to the construction of a sustainable and circular economy, operating in a low-carbon, climate resilient, and nature positive system. Our vision is to become a top team in Europe applying the concepts and principles of environmental and natural resource economics to produce concrete and viable solutions to our planet’s most pressing challenges. If you join our team, you will find yourself among highly motivated scientists in a multicultural academic culture, and will be part of an engaging and fun team.  

You will be expected to contribute to at least one of our current research themes, namely: (i) The economics of energy transitions, climate policy and the cost of action/inaction, (ii) The role of behavioural and economic policy instruments in the transition to sustainable and healthy production and consumption, (iii) The economics of resilient and sustainable social-ecological systems.

At the ENR Group we would expect you to:

1) conduct research that contributes to finding solutions to societal or scientific problems, and suitable for publication in high quality general science journals, and top field and general economics journals;
2) contribute to education in economics through lectures, tutorials, and supervision of BSc and MSc theses;
3) participate in processes to increase the quality of our education;
4) participate in national and international academic networks, and national and international debates;
5) assume a central role in the preparation of grant proposals;
6) successfully supervise PhD students.
Progress on these 6 areas will be measured at both individual and ENR Group level. At the individual level, there will be a strong recognition of diversity in career paths.

We ask

The ENR chair group seeks to fill a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in the area of environmental economics. A focus on the link between environment and development economics is welcomed, and we strongly encourage applicants from other economic backgrounds (e.g., applied micro) yet with an affinity to environmental challenges. A research interest in climate policy is also appreciated. 

Candidates must have completed a PhD in economics. In terms of training, we have a preference for strong quantitative empirical skills (e.g., spatial econometrics, policy evaluation, analysis of cross sectional data, causal inference, design and analysis of experimental data). As mentioned, previous work on energy or climate policy is a plus.  
In summary, we search for a candidate with:
– a PhD in economics, preferably with strong empirical quantitative skills;
– a keen interest to conduct academic research that is linked to real-world problems, and that can create societal and academic impact;
– knowledge of, and affinity with environmental / development / climate economics;
– proven ability to write papers that can lead to good publications (a track-record is best);
– experience in empirical research;
– team spirit that is willing to contribute to the wider interests of the group;
– willingness to write research proposals; proven experience is even better;
– experience in teaching and supervision of MSc / BSc students.

Your application should include your CV, a letter of motivation, 2 references (names and contact information only) and 2 examples of written work.

We offer

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms 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;

  • the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;

  • 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 December bonus of 8.3%;

  • excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will be offered a fixed-term, 7 year contract which, upon positive evaluation based on criteria elaborated in the University’s Tenure Track policy, can lead to a permanent employment contract as professor. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3.974,- and € 5.439,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 11).

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 18th consecutive time.

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.

Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research’s International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling. For instance under the “30% rule”, certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.

 

More information

For more information about this position you can contact Prof. Francisco Alpizar at Francisco.Alpizar[at]wur.nl  

For more information about the procedure you can contact Jeanine van ‘t Veer, Corporate recruiter via recruitment.ssg[at]wur.nl.

Do you want to apply?

This can be done directly via the application button at the vacancy on our website so that we can process your personal data with your permission.
Your application should include your CV, a letter of motivation, 2 references (names and contact information only) and 2 examples of written work.

This vacancy is open up to and including March 15th, 12.00 CET, 2023. We want to plan the first job interviews as soon as possible after the closing date. The preferred start date is May 1st.

Equal opportunities employer
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

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, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 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 this video 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.

Apply now