Assistant professor (Tenure Track) in Communication Science with an interest in life science

Your job

Are you highly motivated to understand communication in an increasingly digital society? Are you focused on addressing societal challenges in dynamic and polarized media environments? Are you interested in how communication with a focus on life science can contribute to a more sustainable world?

The Strategic Communication (COM) group is looking for an ambitious assistant professor (Tenure Track) in Communication Science with a focus on or interest in life science. As an assistant professor, you are well acquainted with the communication science discipline. As such, you feel comfortable with a wide range of perspectives from communication science as well as neighboring disciplines. In this position, you are responsible for the coordination, organization, and implementation of new research activities that strengthen the research profile of the COM group. We expect you to generate external financial support for an innovative research agenda. You are interested in (global) challenges in life science domains (e.g., public health, climate change, and sustainable consumption) and will be contributing to at least one of our research themes, namely (1) sustainability communication, (2) science communication, (3) digitalization and society, and (4) polarization and dialogue. As our new colleague, you will critically explore and contribute to the understanding of how communication can impact and contribute to broader individual and collective shifts in the life science domains. Your research should focus on topics such as:

• studying communication in (online) media, especially with regard to understanding (digital) communication mechanisms and persuasive effects;
• evaluating the reach, content, and impact of (digital) communication campaigns in life science contexts and how those can contribute to behavioral change;
• developing communication strategies to address issues such as climate change and sustainable lifestyles.

You prefer inter- or transdisciplinary approaches, and you have an international orientation. To address current problems and solutions, societal engagement (e.g., with consumers, governments, media, societal actors, and researchers) is both a topic for analysis, as well as an approach to work with society in teaching and research projects.

Furthermore, we challenge you to motivate and teach students, and to be involved in the innovation of our education. Teaching duties include courses in the bachelor and master communication science programs, as well as communication courses in other programs, such as consumer studies or life science programs. You are expected to work with students from those various programs, supervise them in the use of communication science methods, and support them in executing coherent research projects.

All in all, Tenure Track is a career path for hardworking scientists who pursue to excel in education and research. We seek to attract scientific talent and to stimulate and support their development. We provide you with training and mentoring to accomplish all of this.

Your qualities

You are an ambitious scientist and a standout colleague, dedicated to research and education within our broad field of expertise. To further strengthen our group, you:

• hold a PhD in communication science or a related discipline (e.g., sociology, psychology, political science);
• are an inspiring teacher and student supervisor with enthusiasm for teaching and working with students in an international setting;
• have experience with communication research on (online) media, including social media;
• have a proven interest in using innovative methods, including computational approaches such as automated content analysis or digital tracing and/or;
• experience with qualitative research approaches, including, but not limited to in-depth interviews, focus groups and online journaling;
• have a strong international and interdisciplinary orientation;
• have an excellent publication record relative to your stage of career;
• possess the capacity or potential of acquiring, leading, and managing externally-funded research projects;
• are committed to achieving impact in relation to important societal challenges;
• enjoy working together with your colleagues and possess good management skills;
• adhere (or have the willingness to adhere) to the principles of Open Science.

This position requires excellent English language proficiency (a minimum of CEFR C2 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair Strategic Communication (https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-communication-chair-group).

In this challenging career trajectory:

• you acquire, lead and implement innovative and creative (inter-)national research projects in Strategic Communication;
• you collaborate with colleagues and supervise PhD students, BSc and MSc theses and you develop and teach courses;
• you contribute to the further development of the Strategic Communication.

Tenure Track is a career path for scientists who pursue to excel in education and research. We seek to attract scientific talent and to stimulate and support their development.

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, 7 year contract which, upon positive evaluation based on criteria elaborated in the University's Tenure Track policy, can lead to a permanent employment contract as professor. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 4332 and € 5929 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 dr Sophie Boerman, associate professor Strategic Communication, telephone +31 (0)317 486 856 or by e-mail Sophie.boerman@wur.nl

For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas, corporate recruiter noorien.abbas@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.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 11 November 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on 14 November 2024.

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.