Future Food Utrecht is looking for 2 new Ambassadors
Financial compensation of 0,2 fte
Future Food Utrecht is looking for two highly motivated ambassadors for its themes ‘Nature-Inclusive Agriculture’ and ‘Inclusive Transformation of Food Systems’ themes.
Our Future Food scientists and scholars cover a wide spectrum of disciplines needed to understand food-related challenges. Whether it’s unravelling the role of regulatory genes in plants, studying molecules in human milk, exploring governance related issues in agricultural transitions, determining the psychological and cultural underpinnings of producers’, retailers’ or consumers behaviour and decisions, or analysing the power of institutionalized systems; the research of Future Food Utrecht has the ambition to operate at the scientific forefront and develop innovative and sustainable food concepts for the next generations.
Ambassador ‘Inclusive Transformation of Food Systems’
There is a growing understanding that our current food system (both production and consumption) has harmful long-lasting effects on humans, animals and the environment. Yet the necessary transition of the food system - certainly in Europe - is proceeding far too slowly and the consequences of the globalisation of our unsustainable food system (i.e. climate change, poor nutrition, malnutrition) are not distributed evenly.
Research needs to be conducted on the factors that continue to impede a food system transition, but also on factors that can accelerate the transformation to a sustainable food system that is inclusive to all.
Within Future Food, we want to further stimulate innovative research focusing on this question. We want to create productive and long-lasting inter- and transdisciplinary collaborations with public and/or private stakeholders related to research addressing the Inclusive Transformation of Food Systems. The Future Food ambassador we are looking for, will play a key role in bringing researchers from different disciplines and stakeholders together around this topic. We are looking for someone with an interdisciplinary background in for example the Social Sciences, Humanities, International Development, Law, Economics and/or Governance.
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Ambassador ‘Nature-Inclusive Agriculture’
Our current agricultural system prioritizes high production at low costs, often overlooking long-term consequences for the environment and society. Nature-inclusive agriculture offers a sustainable alternative, emphasizing innovative food production methods and systems that work with, and positively contribute to, nature and biodiversity. Future Food researchers take an interdisciplinary approach on this topic, focusing on questions such as regenerative agriculture, circular agriculture, biodiversity recovery, One Health implications for humans and animals, and crop resilience.
Within Future Food, we want to further stimulate innovative research focusing on this question. We want to create productive and long-lasting inter- and transdisciplinary collaborations with public and/or private stakeholders related to research addressing Nature-Inclusive Agriculture. The Future Food ambassador we are looking for, will play a key role in bringing researchers from different disciplines and stakeholders together around this topic. We are looking for a someone with an interdisciplinary background in for example Biology, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Veterinary Medicine and/or Governance.
Click on downloads (left menu) to read the vacancy
What is expected from the FFU Ambassadors?
• Acting as a scientific link between researchers and stakeholders within topics related to Nature-Inclusive Agriculture.
• Increasing the awareness of Utrecht University’s food related research and activities, both inside and outside UU.
• Brokering opportunities for starting research projects with external parties.
• Strengthening the food literacy of Future Food researchers. Understanding food literacy here as a broad knowledge related to topical food issues.
What do we offer?
• Financial compensation of 0,2 fte of the salary costs, effective immediately. We are preferably looking for a candidate who is able and willing to commit to Future Food for at least 2 years.
• Exposure to invaluable professional networks as UU/FFU representative.
• Engagement in challenging, varied and interesting work.
• Involvement in de Future Food Utrecht’s decision-making process through active participation in the FFU Board.
• Enhancement of your leadership skills.
What do we ask?
The FFU Ambassador has a strong affinity with inter- and transdisciplinary research and education, and excellent networking skills. Preferably, the ambassador has at least 3 years of post-Ph.D. experience. The position is open to both tenured and non-tenured staff of Utrecht University.
Interested? Questions?
You can apply for these positions until Friday 15 March 2024 (17:00). Please send your motivational letter and a (short) CV to futurefood@uu.nl. Please indicate clearly for which ambassador position you are applying: Nature-Inclusive Agriculture or Inclusive Transformation of Food Systems.
If you have any questions or would like to get more information about this position, please contact Simone Pekelsma, Managing Director of Future Food Utrecht s.a.pekelsma@uu.nl