Career at WUR
About Us
- Plenty of variety and challenges
- Pleasant working atmosphere
- Time for personal development
- Proper work-life balance
- Internationally leading
Your job
Do you want to develop impactful research, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and inspire students through engaging consumer behaviour education in relation to food science?We are looking for an ambitious Assistant/Associate Professor Consumer Science of Food Products.
The Food Quality and Design (FQD) group, part of the Food Technology cluster at Wageningen University and Research (WUR), is looking for an ambitious Assistant/Associate Professor with expertise in qualitative consumer research methods to strengthen our research and teaching portfolio. Research and education in our team evolve around understanding the consumer and user when interacting with food products and services in the context of daily life household practices. The aim is to facilitate user representation in interdisciplinary teams working on development, quality and use of consumer products by gaining in-depth consumer insights.
The new colleague will set up and conduct research to understand contemporary consumer challenges. This requires research approaches that capture the complexity of consumers’ lived experiences and everyday practices. We therefore value qualitative consumer research using creative and participatory methods, such as visual methods, co-creation, and participatory design, to generate deep insights and develop impactful knowledge for societal challenges.
Moreover, you will teach courses in consumer usage behavior, consumer product interaction, and qualitative research methods at the undergraduate and graduate levels, supervise Bachelor, Master, and PhD students, and contribute to curriculum development.
We are looking for a collaborative candidate with a strong commitment to academic research, innovative teaching, and societal impact, who is eager to engage with colleagues across disciplines, with the research and education being performed in the framework of the food science and quality management research at FQD.
Your Duties And Responsibilities Include
- you are expected to build your own research line within the research area described above;
- you are expected to actively seek research partners in The Netherlands and abroad, and create your own, recognizable field of expertise;
- you will contribute to the educational programme in consumer behavior, qualitative research methods, and related fields at undergraduate and graduate levels.
This position is part of the Academic Career Framework (ACF) at Wageningen University & Research. One of the 3 career paths is the Professor Career Path. The aim of this ACF is to achieve a new balance in recognizing and valuing academics where both team collaboration and the unique talent of individual scientists are seen, by creating more differentiation in career paths, putting the emphasis on the quality of work and less on quantitative results, doing justice to the individual qualities and ambitions of academics as much as to team performance, promoting all aspects of open science and encouraging high-quality leadership in the academy.
You will work here
The position will be at the “Food Quality and Design ” chair group, led by Prof. Vincenzo Fogliano and Prof. Kasper Hettinga . The mission of this chair group is to optimize food quality throughout the food chain by designing better foods to improve health and pleasure of the consumer and focus on the sustainability of food production systems.
In This Challenging Career Trajectory
- you acquire, lead and implement innovative and creative (inter-)national research projects in the Food Quality and Design group;
- you collaborate with colleagues and supervise PhD students, BSc and MSc theses;
- you (co-)develop and teach courses in the field of consumer research;
- you contribute to the further development of the Food Quality and Design group.
Your qualities
- you have a PhD degree in consumer or behavioural research or related field;
- your previous research and/or work experience is related to the field of food science;
- you are committed to societal relevance and impactful consumer research;
- you have a strong research background in qualitative consumer research, with expertise in creative and/or participatory research methods;
- you have proven ability to publish high-impact scientific work;
- you have proficiency in written and spoken English (C1 level) and preferably Dutch (C1 level).
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;
- 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 year-end bonus of 8.3%;
- excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will be offered a fixed-term, 18 months contract which, upon positive evaluation, can lead to a permanent employment contract. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 4.925,- and € 6.682,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 11). For candidates with a more senior track record and relevant experience, scale 12 is negotiable.
If you are an internal employee, your current contract is the starting point. Ask your HR Business Partner about your situation specifically. We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.
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.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands 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 for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
Important information
For more information about the position, please contact prof. Kasper Hettinga, via email:
[email protected].
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Evelien Janssen , Corporate Recruiter, via email:
[email protected].
Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
You can apply up to and including 7 September 2026.
Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 14 August 2026.
Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
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, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 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 the video below 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.
Locations
Wageningen
Professional field
Research & Science (incl. postdoc)
Educational level
Doctorate
Apply before
8-9-2026
Salary range
€4925 - €6682
Hours
32 - 38