The department of Terrestrial Ecology investigates interactions between plants, microbes, and (in)vertebrates, in the soil and aboveground to understand, predict, and mitigate effects of climate change, biodiversity loss and land use change in land-based ecosystems. The approach is conceptual-experimental, and ranges from evolutionary adaptation to community interactions and ecosystem processes.

The department’s aim is to enhance fundamental understanding of interactions and processes in nature in order to learn how to promote sustainability of life on Planet Earth. To achieve this, the research of Terrestrial Ecology combines controlled laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments with long-term and large-scale sampling campaigns. This allows to unravel mechanisms underlying species interactions, to study drivers of change in ecological communities and identify leverage points for sustainable land management.

The department of Terrestrial Ecology has a strong national and international position and a diversity of research lines and systems. This allows the department to remain flexible and involved in new research developments. The department consists of five senior scientists, five research assistants and a large and dynamic group of post-docs, PhD candidates, temporary technicians and students. The department has access to excellent facilities, ranging from biochemical and molecular laboratories to high quality indoor and outdoor growth facilities, soil ecotrons, long-term databases and experimental field sites, and a broad range of experimental systems.

NIOO aims to have equal representation of woman and men within each functional group at NIOO. Given the current representation, we particularly encourage women to apply.

What you will be doing

As the new head, you will lead the department of Terrestrial Ecology within NIOO and also have your own line of research. You will be part of an enthusiastic team looking for a leader who brings people together in a transparent, inclusive and inspiring way. You will also be member of the NIOO Management team, which requires a broad view of all aspects of NIOO’s activities. NIOO wishes to work closely with ecological research groups at universities and research institutes in the Netherlands and abroad. At NIOO, all heads of department hold a special professorship at a Dutch university.

For your own research, you will further develop your experimental-fundamental research line in a way that is well connected to the departmental research fields and NIOO’s research themes. You will achieve this by initiating, conducting and coordinating independent research, acquiring research funding, publishing in scientific journals, and reaching out to a wider audience. In your role, you will keep sight of making scientific and societal impact with your work.

Within the Terrestrial Ecology department, we strive for variety in research backgrounds, both at the group and on an individual level. We value collaboration and stimulate each other to share and connect knowledge and research within the team, within NIOO, and in connection to the national and international research landscape. You will play an active role in fostering this way of working.

What you will be contributing

With your strong social skills and your ability to lead and inspire the members of your department, you will contribute to the development of the department as a whole. Your dedication to contribute to a safe and inclusive working environment will result in positive collaborations with colleagues and partners. In short, we expect you to identify with the core values that are central to NIOO: collaborative, impactful, innovative, responsible and inclusive.

You are an internationally acknowledged scientist (midcareer or established) in the field of Terrestrial Ecology with a strong scientific track record. You have a broad overview of research in Terrestrial Ecology and beyond, and a clear vision on the future of the field. Your future research will have a basis in the Netherlands, with an international perspective, and will contribute to the department’s long-term research lines and activities. You have a proven track record in raising research funding for your own research and for broad thematic research programs in ecology, for which you are willing to use your network in the Netherlands, Europe, and globally. You know how to make scientific and societal impact. It will be essential that you are, or will be, embedded in the Dutch research field of ecology. We expect you to learn Dutch within two years.

What do we offer?

We offer a permanent position after a temporary contract for one year. The Netherlands Institute of Ecology, established in 1954, has over 250 staff and guest researchers and is located in Wageningen.

Application procedure

To apply, please submit a CV and a covering letter summarizing your motivation and experience, via the button below. As part of the subsequent procedure, we will ask for the names of two professional referees. The closing date for applications is 6 October 2024. The first round of interviews is planned on 16 October. An (external) assessment can be part of the procedure. Information: For more information, please contact Professor Dr M.E. Visser, chair of the search committee via tel.: +31 6-51392453.

About NIOO

The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO) is a national research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). NIOO performs leading ecological research on biodiversity, climate change and sustainable use of land and water, stimulates ecological research of the Netherlands and shares its ecological knowledge with society. Based on our core values, NIOO strives to be a collaborative, inclusive, innovative, impactful, and responsible organization.

Terms of employment

Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is €6.538,- and the maximum salary is €8.322,- gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 14 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: Work for the Academy.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion

The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.