Vacancy Endowed Chair Turfgrass Ecology (F/M; 0.2 fte)

Specific objectives of the chair are to:

*   Develop theoretical knowledge regarding the ecology, (eco)physiology, agronomy and plant pathology of sports turf in order to analyse belowground and aboveground processes at the level of the individual plant and vegetation and their underlying interactions.

*   Develop PhD projects, and recruit and supervise PhD candidates working on scientific topics relevant to the practice of sustainable management of sports turf.

*   Teach in the field of ecology, (eco)physiology, agronomy and plant pathology of sports turf (to students as well as professionals)

Requirements

The candidate has the theoretical knowledge required to realize sustainable management and use of sports lawns of high quality, high efficiency of resources used and minimum impact on the environment. S/he must have a vision on how to explore and actively invest in new potential scientific developments related to the ecology, (eco)physiology, agronomy and plant pathology of sports turf. The candidate is a charismatic and highly competent teacher who inspires students and develops new teaching activities in this field. The candidate is communicative and able to inspire and connect people from different backgrounds based on a mutual interest in Turfgrass Ecology. S/he will position Wageningen University and Research Centre within the field of Turfgrass sciences and create strategic alliances and collaboration with partners inside and outside the Netherlands. The endowed chair will be part of the Centre for Crop Systems Analysis. The chair will closely collaborate with other research groups at Wageningen University and Research Centre, in particular the chair group Soil Physics and Land Management, and relevant institutes and organizations inside and outside the Netherlands.

Qualifications

• A track record in research of Turfgrass Ecology with high-profile publications (also in international key journals), commensurate with her/his career stage and present activities.
• Active (preferably leading) in relevant (inter)national networks. A record of successful securing research funding relevant to the practice of sustainable management of sports turf is highly desirable.
• Didactically proficient and the capacity to inspire students and develop new undergraduate teaching activities at BSc and MSc level.
• Experience with supervision of PhD candidates.
• Excellent skills to:
• work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary way;
• create synergy among scientific domains;
• transfer scientific knowledge to practitioners;
• act with leadership.
• A PhD degree in a field relevant to Turfgrass Ecology.

Conditions

• An 0.2 position for an initial period of 5 year with resources provided by the Dutch Turfgrass Research Foundation (DTRF).
• The activities of the chair will mainly focus on the practice of sustainable management of sports turf in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg and Northern France.

Contact information

Further information about the position can be obtained from:

Prof. Dr. Martin van Ittersum, Chair of the Appointment Advice Committee

Tel: +31 317 482382

E-mail: Martin.vanIttersum@wur.nl

Or

Dr. Theo Jetten, Secretary of the Appointment Advice Committee

Tel: +31 317 483687

Email: Theo.Jetten@wur.nl

Additional information can also be obtained through the following links:

• about the organisation: www.wur.nl

• view the Profile of the Endowed Chair Turfgrass Ecology

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

Are you interested? Please send your application, including your detailed Curriculum Vitae, references and list of publications, before September 8,  2014 to:

Theo Jetten
Secretary of the Appointment Advice Committee
Graduate School Production Ecology & Resource Conservation

Droevendaalsesteeg 3a

6708 PB Wageningen
preferably in digital form to Theo.Jetten@wur.nl

Please, note that the date on which the interviews will take place is October 9, 2014

Selected candidates will be invited to present their research and education interests and intended direction.

One or more candidates will be asked to give a public lecture on November 17, 2014  as part of the selection process. This lecture should show (1) the candidate’s excellence in teaching and (2) their vision on research and education.

Organisation

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.wur.nl/career.

For the vacancy see also www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Vacancies