We have another exciting Tenure Track vacancy for a (senior) Assistant Professor in Agrarian Sociology and Rural Development at our Sociology of Development and Change (SDC) group at Wageningen University (next to yet another similar position at our sister group, the Rural Sociology group (RSO)!).

The SDC vacancy: https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Vacancies/Show/Assistant-Professor-of-Agrarian-Sociology-and-Rural-Development-Tenure-Track-.htm

The RSO vacancy: https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Vacancies/Show/Assistant-Professor-in-Agrarian-Sociology-chair-group-RSO-Tenure-Track-.htm

Assistant Professor of Agrarian Sociology and Rural Development (Tenure Track)

We are looking for
The Sociology of Development and Change Group (SDC) at Wageningen University seeks a candidate for an assistant professor position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE, Tenure Track position) in agrarian sociology, with links to rural development studies and political ecology. Candidates with a background in relevant social sciences (e.g. anthropology, geography, sociology, political science) will be considered, especially candidates with expertise in the broad areas of rural (smallholder) dynamics and agrarian change, social and environmental justice and livelihoods, land and water politics, and gender. Experience with interdisciplinary research, methodology and critical (development) theory will be an advantage. Your responsibilities include teaching courses at undergraduate and graduate levels (BSc, MSc and PhD) for development studies and other students, student supervision, developing and performing original research within our domain and publishing the results, participating in management or service activities, and generating external financial support for an innovative research agenda.
Approximately 40-45% of your time will be spent on research, 40- 45% on education and 10-20% on management and service activities. Candidates from and/or with research experience in the global south are particularly encouraged to apply.
We ask
As assistant professor in agrarian sociology and rural development you have:

• a (recent or nearly completed) PhD in anthropology, sociology, geography, politics or a related field;
• proven ability to publish in high-quality academic journals and with top academic publishers;
• ability to work in interdisciplinary and international research teams;
• excellent communication and writing skills;
• ample research experience in different geographical settings (especially in the global south);
• affinity with ethnographic and other qualitative research methods;
• very good didactic qualities and enthusiasm for teaching and working with students from various disciplines and backgrounds;
• ability to develop high-quality research proposals and to be(come) competitive in terms of acquiring external funding for research;
• fluency in English and willingness to learn Dutch.

We offer
We offer talented scholars a challenging career trajectory called Tenure Track. You will be given the opportunity to build up your own research line. From the position of Assistant Professor you can grow into the position of a Professor holding a Personal Chair in twelve years. Training and coaching are provided and interdisciplinary (international) cooperation is stimulated.

The Tenure Track starts with a temporary contract for 0.8 to 1.0 fte, with the possibility of extension, and should lead to a permanent employment contract. The gross salary for an Assistant Professor ranges from € 3.545 to € 4.852 per month based on full time employment and depending on qualifications and experience. In addition we offer an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end- of-year bonus (8.3%), the ABP Pension scheme and training and career development. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may also qualify for a temporary special tax relief, in which 30% of their salary is exempt from tax.

For more information about Tenure Track within Wageningen UR look at http://www.wageningenur.nl/en/Jobs/Your-development-in-focus/Tenure-Track.htm

More information

Contact info
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from the chair of the Sociology of Development and Change Group: Prof Dr Bram Büscher (bram.buscher@wur.nl or +31 317 48 2015 or 2075)

Information about Wageningen University, the Sociology of Development and Change Group, the sub-department SADE and CSPS can be obtained through one of the following links.

• Wageningen University
• Sociology of Development and Change Group
• Sociology of Development and Change Facebook page
• Sub-department Space, Place and Society
• Centre for Space, Place and Society (CSPS)

Application
To apply, please upload the following via our online application button on the Wageningen UR vacancies webpage (http://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Vacancies.htm)before 14 November 2018:

• Letter of motivation
• A current Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications
• Names and contact details of two referees
• One selected publication
• A teaching dossier or statement of teaching interests and experience (including teaching outlines and evaluations if available)

You will receive an automatic e-mail confirmation within 24 hours. Please note that only applications sent through the online application button can be taken into consideration.

Job interviews will be held on 20 or 21 November 2018. A second interview including a (public) lecture will be held on 18, 19 or 20 December 2018. Candidates invited for a second interview will also be asked to submit a written statement on their research vision of the advertised position and its relation to the research domain of the Sociology of Development and Change Group and of the Centre for Space, Place & Society (1000 words max).

We are

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.

The Sociology of Development and Change Group (SDC)
SDC focuses on the structures and practices of development and change with a particular scientific interest in inequality, marginalization and political agency. The group’s vision is to be a world-leading, politically engaged and interdisciplinary research and educational centre in development studies, political ecology, anthropology of law and crisis and disaster studies. Our mission is to gain and communicate a deeper understanding of inequality and marginalisation generated by global and local structures of power and political-economy and so contribute to social and environmental justice. At the same time, we study how actors generate forms of agency and practices that enable them to deal with these dynamics and create new opportunities. Together with the Rural Sociology, Cultural Geography, Health and Society and the Sociology of Consumers and Household groups, the SDC group is a member of the WUR Centre for Space, Place and Society (see  https://centreforspaceplacesociety.wordpress.com/).