Full Professor and Chair of Bioinformatics Wageningen • Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research is looking for a full professor (0.8-1.0 fte) to lead the Bioinformatics chair group.

The Bioinformatics Group develops and applies novel computational methods to represent, analyse and integrate biological data, with a focus on the green life sciences. Our computational work empowers life scientists to understand how the interplay of genomes, transcripts, proteins and metabolites results in the phenotypic complexity observed in living systems. In applications in the life sciences, often in collaborations with partners in academia and industry, we unlock, understand and use genomic and biochemical diversity and thereby contribute to sustainable food and agriculture. As a group, we contribute to multiple BSc and MSc programmes. We educate new generations of biologists, bioinformaticians and data scientists, providing them with the knowledge and skills required to not only solve the problems of today, but to master the technologies that can address the challenges of tomorrow. 

We are excited to recruit a new professor and group chair who will bring an inspiring vision on the future of bioinformatics research and education within the domains of Wageningen University, also in the context of developments in AI. The position of chair of the Bioinformatics Group offers you the opportunity to further develop your research lines in synergy with the group’s scientific focus, while also further developing your academic leadership profile. In your role as chair group leader, you will lead the academic and operational management of the group, in close connection with your staff. Your responsibilities will include setting the research strategy, guiding a diverse team of talented scientists, lecturers, and support staff, and further strengthening the group’s national and international standing. Of primary importance to Wageningen UR is an inclusive and safe working environment for all employees and students, and the new chair must be willing to foster an inspiring and creative academic climate for all members of the chair group.

The new chair of the Bioinformatics Group should bring deep expertise in software/algorithm development and multi-omics data integration, combined with applications in the domain of Wageningen University & Research. Connecting the diverse research lines across the group requires stimulating, inclusive and visionary leadership. The Bioinformatics Group values collaboration and advocates for open science. We aim to continue and innovate our education portfolio, from fundamental bioinformatics to new technological developments and applications to data-driven biology. 

More information about our research projects, education and publications can be found at the website. A virtual tour on WUR’s green and sustainable campus can be taken here.

The Bioinformatics chair group is currently composed of ten (8.2 FTE) permanent staff members (seven tenured and non-tenured scientific staff, one lecturer, one research software engineer, one researcher) and approximately 10 postdocs and 25 PhDs. The Bioinformatics chair group is embedded in the Plant Sciences Group, one of five science groups at Wageningen University & Research, which has state-of-the-art instruments and facilities. The Plant Sciences Group comprises 20 chair groups and one institute, Wageningen Plant Research. The chair group Bioinformatics is affiliated with the graduate school Experimental Plant Sciences (EPS) and closely linked to the Netherlands Bioinformatics and Systems Biology research school (BioSB). The new chair will contribute constructively to the development and leadership of the science group and the wider collaborative research and impact environment at WUR.

As a candidate professor and chair:

• You are a scholar with a PhD degree and an internationally proven scientific track record in the field of Bioinformatics.
• You have a vision on important future trends and developments in the field of Bioinformatics, including your own research area, and you can translate these to strategic decisions for the chair group and contribute to a distinct and recognizable group identity for Bioinformatics at WUR and beyond.
• You have experience in leading professionals in an academic environment with a supportive and inclusive leadership style that stimulates personal growth and development, collaboration, and team effort.
• You are an effective manager, who leads with integrity, long-term vision, and clear communication, to keep the group financially healthy and internationally competitive.
• You have ample experience and success with attracting funding and competitive grants, and you will support shared opportunities across the team.
• You are an experienced and enthusiastic educator and supervisor of students at different academic levels (i.e., BSc, MSc), with an enthusiastic commitment to train the next generation of bioinformaticians.
• You have well-formed ideas about how to contribute to and support the continuing ambitions of the chair group to achieve a positive societal impact.
• You can create new connections and foster collaboration with academic and industrial partners, locally, nationally and internationally.

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 Bioinformatics 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).
Coming from abroadWe are a globally leading university in the life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and 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 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 finding housing in the region or elsewhere in the Netherlands. The Wageningen University & Research's (WUR) InternationalCommunity 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. Ronald Pierik, Chair of the Appointment Advisory Committee, email via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

More detailed information on the procedure and the profile and the Bioinformatics chair group is available upon request via the executive secretary of the Committee, Annemarie Baaijens, via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

ApplicationYou are encouraged to upload your complete application via the respond button on top of this page on the WUR website.
Please include in separate pdf documents

1. an application letter;
2. a curriculum vitae;
3. a list of publications;
4. a 1000-word (max) statement of research and education interests and intended direction.

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.