University of Twente

Jobid: 645792216555855880 (0.0506)

The University of Twente (UT) is recognised as one of Europe’s leading entrepreneurial universities, where entrepreneurship is understood as a university-wide way of thinking and working that creates societal value through socio-technical innovation. Guided by its Institutional Plan, The Entrepreneurial University: Stronger Together, the University brings together engineering, business, behavioural and social sciences to address complex societal challenges through interdisciplinary research, education and close collaboration with public and private partners. This ambition is reflected in the University’s four impact domains — Health, Climate, Safety & Security, and Chip Technologies — and provides the context for internationally leading research and education across the University.

Within this environment, the University invites applications for a Full Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Department of High Tech Business and Entrepreneurship (HBE) of the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS). Building on the strong international foundation of the Chair of Entrepreneurship, the new Professor will lead its next phase of development. The appointment combines continuity with renewal: strengthening an established research and education programme while expanding its contribution to interdisciplinary collaboration, entrepreneurial ecosystems and societal value creation.

Entrepreneurship is central to the University of Twente’s identity and to its ambition to create sustainable economic and societal value. At the University of Twente, entrepreneurship extends beyond venture creation. It concerns how socio-technical innovation is developed, translated and scaled through organisations, markets and ecosystems to address complex societal challenges.

The Chair of Entrepreneurship provides intellectual leadership in advancing this ambition through internationally recognised research, educational innovation and strong engagement with entrepreneurial ecosystems. By integrating perspectives from engineering, business, behavioural and social sciences, the Chair strengthens entrepreneurship as a distinctive academic domain and contributes to the University’s strategic ambitions in research, education and societal engagement.

The successful candidate will further develop internationally recognised research and education in entrepreneurship and strengthen UT’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. You will advance understanding of entrepreneurial processes, organisations and ecosystems; contribute to the responsible development and societal embedding of socio-technical innovation; and foster entrepreneurial mindsets and capabilities among students, researchers and partners.As a senior academic leader, you will further establish Entrepreneurship as a distinctive academic domain at UT. You will provide intellectual and strategic leadership across research, education and societal engagement; lead and inspire the Entrepreneurship researchers; and strengthen collaboration across disciplines, faculties and external stakeholders.Through this role, you will enhance the national and international visibility of Entrepreneurship at UT and contribute to the University’s ambitions in its four impact domains: health, climate, safety and security, and chip technology.

Research and Impact

You will:

Develop and lead an internationally recognized research programme on entrepreneurship, socio-technical innovation, responsible societal implementation, and socio-technical transformation.

Secure research funding from national and international sources (e.g., NWO, ERC, Horizon Europe, industry, and public-sector partners).

Lead and inspire the Entrepreneurship group, including assistant professors, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD candidates.

Strengthen Entrepreneurship as an interdisciplinary theme across the university and contribute to evidence-informed innovation and ecosystem development.

Promote Open Science and engage in impactful collaborations with industry, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and societal partners.

Particular expertise is welcomed in areas such as:

High-Tech Transformation of Industry (e.g., AI, robotics, quantum technologies, advanced materials, and cleantech innovation).

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Regional Development, including digital platforms, data-driven innovation, and inclusive entrepreneurship.

Responsible and Sustainable Entrepreneurship, focusing on sustainable business models, circularity, and the role of emerging technologies in societal transitions.

Leadership and Collaboration

The Professor will provide inspiring academic leadership within the department, the faculty and the wider University. The role combines intellectual leadership, strategic vision and collegial engagement to strengthen the University’s international reputation and interdisciplinary profile. You will:

Build and expand strategic collaborations with academic, governmental, and industry partners in the Netherlands and internationally.

Strengthen existing partnerships with organizations such as Novel-T, Saxion, Windesheim, and the 4TU federation.

Foster interdisciplinary collaborations across the BMS faculty and the wider University of Twente, including colleagues in engineering, technology, health, governance, and data science.

Mentor junior colleagues and contribute to an inclusive, collaborative, and ambitious academic culture.

Play a leading role in the strategic development of the department, faculty, and university.

Education

The Professor will provide academic leadership in Entrepreneurship education across Bachelor’s, Master’s, Executive and PhD education. The successful candidate will contribute to innovative, research-informed education that prepares graduates to address complex socio-technical challenges in an international environment. You will:

Educate students across a range of programmes, such as (International) Business Administration, Creative Technology, and Advanced Technology.

Further develop entrepreneurship education, challenge-based learning, and entrepreneurial skills throughout the curriculum.

Contribute to innovative educational initiatives, including new programmes, professional learning opportunities, and entrepreneurship education in engineering and health domains.

Inspire students and staff to create societal impact through entrepreneurial thinking and action.

Your profile

The successful candidate demonstrates a clear vision on the role of entrepreneurship in addressing societal challenges through socio-technical innovation, and:

Holds a PhD in Entrepreneurship, Management, Innovation Studies, Organization Studies, Economics, or a related field.

Has an internationally recognized research profile and a convincing publication record.

Demonstrates a compelling vision on the future development of entrepreneurship research and education.

Has a strong strategy for and record of acquiring substantial external research funding and leading large-scale collaborative projects.

Demonstrates the ability to conduct interdisciplinary research in multidisciplinary environments.

Possesses leadership, communication, and team-building skills.

Has a proven ability to further develop and innovate attractive educational programmes, and is passionate about teaching and mentoring students at all levels.

Has an excellent command of English, both written and spoken, at C2 level or equivalent.

Our offer

We offer an exciting opportunity to shape the future of entrepreneurship research, education, and impact within one of Europe’s most entrepreneurial universities.

The position includes:

A full-time appointment as Professor of Entrepreneurship.

A competitive salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

A dynamic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial working environment with highly motivated colleagues.

Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure, including the BMS Lab and new industry-oriented experimental facilities.

Extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across faculties and external partners.

An annual holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

A solid pension scheme.

A minimum of 29 vacation days per year based on full-time employment.

Opportunities to accumulate leave for sabbatical periods.

Professional and personal development opportunities.

A family-friendly environment, including support for dual-career opportunities and international relocation.

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Deel deze vacature:

Full Professor of Entrepreneurship (1.0 fte)

University of Twente