Established in 1977, the Centre for World Food Studies (Dutch acronym SOW-VU) is a research institute at the VU University in Amsterdam that studies a broad range of development-oriented issues. Current public debate on the food crisis calls for a thorough scientific analysis of the underlying causes and the effects on the poor. The Centres multidisciplinary approach, where economics, soil science, hydrology and nutritional science are combined, is better suited than ever to address present issues. In addition, the Centre operates within a wide international network of counterparts that includes the Chinese Academy of Science, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria, the International Food Policy Research Institute, Joint Research Centre of the EU, and several United Nations organizations, under which the World Food Programme in Rome. The Centre has also provided policy advice to several Ministries in The Netherlands as well as to international organizations such as the World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the European Commission.
The current portfolio of activities includes the development of a food atlas for Sub-Saharan Africa (with the World Food Programme), the modeling and analysis of the food and agriculture economy of China (EU-funded project with five international counterparts), an investigation of the pressure on the pastoralist way of life in Ethiopia, based on actual satellite-monitoring of the routes of the herders, a water management project in the Incomati River Basin, and the consequences and design of agricultural policy reform in the EU. Projects oriented towards policy support at national level are underway for the Ukraine and Burkina Faso.
To implement its research plans for the coming years, the Centre seeks creative and highly motivated new staff to fulfill existing vacancies as well as new positions.
More information on the Centre and its research activities can be found at http://www.sow.vu.nl.
Job requirements
The job openings are for economists with a strong background in economic theory or quantitative methods. The candidates should have a PhD in economics or econometrics, preferably with publications in international journals. Experience in programming is considered an asset.
Tasks will include project acquisition and the execution and coordination of externally funded projects, while the performance of educational tasks is limited to projects that have a capacity building component. In addition to project-related activities, a reservation of 30% of total working hours is made for research that falls within the Centres mandate but is not linked to projects.
The Candidates will enroll in the tenure track system of the Centre for World Food Studies for two years, with the intention of extending the contract by a fixed period of four years. After this fixed period tenure will be offered in case of a positive evaluation.
Depending on the level of seniority, gross salaries are in the range of 2916 to 4868 per month.
Application procedure
Applicants should send a CV, cover letter with motivation and recent research publications and/or working papers before July 5th, 2008 to Prof. M.A. Keyzer, Director of the Centre for World Food Studies, VU University, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands, or by email to pmsow.vu.nl.
Org Name The Centre for World Food Studies of the VU University
Contact Person Prof. M.A. Keyzer
Tel +31 20 598 9321
Fax +31 20 598 9325
E-Mail pmsow.vu.nl
City Amsterdam
State/Province N
Country The Netherlands
Please quote 10 Academic Resources Daily in your application to this opportunity!
If you want to receive academic resources in your e-mail on daily basis, please subscribe to 10resources-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
