Two assistant professors on artificial intelligence for scientific discoveries

Your job

We are looking for two exceptional scholars with passion for artificial intelligence (AI) research and education, who aspire to advance AI methods for scientific discoveries to address global challenges.
We are inviting candidates with a strong research track record in areas, including, but not limited to: data-centric AI, graph-based processing, self-supervised learning, neuro-symbolic AI, physics-informed and causal machine learning. Further fields of interest include natural language processing, generative AI, large language models, computer vision, explainable AI, and human-centric AI.

Experience with impactful scientific applications in the broad green life sciences, as for example agriculture, food science, sustainability, climate change or biodiversity is considered a plus. Candidates with strong motivation for impactful AI applications in such domains are encouraged to apply.

As an assistant professor at WUR you will:

• perform research actively: write scientific publications, present and peer review for top AI venues, such as NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, IJCAI, AAAI, ECMLPKDD, CVPR, ECCV, ICCV, ISWC, ESWC, as well as high profile AI conferences and journals;
• teach, organise, and innovate courses in collaboration with colleagues related to artificial intelligence and data science at PhD, MSc and BSc levels, both in technical and more applied programs (lectures, tutorials, practicals);
• supervise PhD students, BSc and MSc theses on topics related to your research;
• acquire, lead, and implement innovative and creative (inter-) national research projects in artificial intelligence. This involves working with colleagues to build consortia and apply for funding from EU or Dutch government, or write proposals for personal grants;
• actively  contribute and shape the further development of the Artificial Intelligence group at Wageningen University.

For your research and teaching you will have access to our in-house high-performance computer (Annuna) and national computational facilities (SURF). To support you as a teacher, you will join the Learning and Teaching in Higher Education Program that is adopted by all universities in the Netherlands.

You will join the professor career path within our new academic career framework, which is a trajectory for scientists who pursue to excel in education and research. We seek to attract top scientific talent and offer you an environment to further grow to more senior functions. Promotion is based on an evaluation of research, teaching and project acquisition, and societal outreach and service to the university and scientific community are also recognized and rewarded. You'll be offered an 18-month fixed-term contract with the potential to convert to a permanent professor position.

Your qualities

You have:

• a PhD in machine learning, artificial intelligence, computer science, applied mathematics, engineering,  or other relevant fields; applicants with PhDs in domain sciences need to have a very strong record on high-quality research contributions to the AI community;
• an inspiring vision on current research opportunities on artificial intelligence for science;
• dedication and commitment to conduct high-quality academic research reflected in demonstratable outputs;
• motivated to teach, contribute to teaching processes, and to develop excellent teaching skills, including explaining AI concepts to students with different backgrounds;
• energetic and pro-active mindset (someone who is not afraid to take initiative);
• ability to work both as a team player and independently;
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English;

You will work here
You will join the Artificial Intelligence (AIN) group, a newly established chairgroup within Wageningen University that aspires to advance artificial intelligence methods for addressing global challenges in a responsible way. With three faculty and more than 20 postdocs and PhDs, the Artificial Intelligence group is an emerging community of AI researchers aiming to advance methods and conduct applied research in close cooperation with domain experts in the environmental, social and life sciences. We are active in both fundamental and use-inspired research, currently supported with several grants from national and European donors, as NWO, Horizon Europe, but also industry, NGOs and major international donors. The AIN group offers courses that are included in the new BSc in Data Science for Global Challenges, the MSc in Data Science for Food and Health and domain-centered programs like MSc in Biosystems Engineering, Plant Sciences and Geoinformation Science.

We offer a diverse, collaborative work environment with ample opportunities for personal and professional growth in the Most Sustainable University in the World (UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2023)

We offer you

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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December 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 will lead to a permanent employment contract. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 4.492,- and € 6.148,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 11).
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

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.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Ioannis Athanasiadis, ioannis.athanasiadis@wur.nl

For more information about the procedure, please contact vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.  Please include a motivation letter and a research (vision) statement with your CV.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 6 January  2025. We hope to schedule the first job interviews second half of January.

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.