Farm-to-table chef-designer-researcher

The Research, Education and Action Lab into Collective and Circular Transformation (REACCT) is looking for an experienced chef with a strong interest in research, farm-to-table experimental practices, and building design (two year part-time position).

Job Description
We offer a unique setting with a residency on an organic farm in Riemst (BE) with experience supplying high-end kitchens, as well as on a pioneering Dutch producer of bio-polymers and building materials in Groningen (NL). The project is facilitated and coordinated by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) of Maastricht University.

REACCT is a regenerative design research project focused on growing, cooking, and building in ways that create thoughtful and more sustainable ways of being, in relation to our bodies, our buildings, and our landscapes. We are convinced that to be truly transformative, dining experiences must blur the boundaries between food, the plate it’s on and the environments in which it is eaten. Therefore, we reconstruct and test historical and emerging value chains within agriculture, biochemical industries, and material culture. 

The project materializes in two temporary research labs, each serving as a curated space where farming, cooking, and building practices are not only studied but actively designed, performed, and tested. Within these labs, curation extends beyond the selection of objects or artifacts; it becomes a process of knowledge-making that bridges disciplines, reconfigures material flows, and fosters new social and ecological relationships. The chef-designer-researcher will be responsible for developing a strong and unique story and a collaborative methodology towards prototyping farm-to-table practices. 

REACCT is a collaboration between the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) of Maastricht University (UM), Huis Veendam-Dynaplak, a design and biochemical company that produces, recycles and designs with renewable materials, and Goutte, an organic vegetable farm based in the Maastricht area. Research partners include the Maastricht Experimental Research In and through the Arts Network (MERIAN), the Jan van Eyk Future Material  and the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) of UM’s Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE). REACCT is funded through a CLICK NL PPP grant (2024-2027). 

Requirements
Have you worked on food and fiber as a chef, designer or researcher (or any of these combinations!)? Have you collaborated on tools and structures that contribute to positive social-ecological transformations? Are you driven by curiosity, do you have a demonstrated experience with an interdisciplinary work setting, and an interest in (academic) research? Are you willing to travel between agriculture and biochemistry, and between Groningen and Maastricht? Do you want to work towards more regenerative modes of living and production? Then this might be an interesting position for you.
 

What we offer
As a Farm to table ‘chef-designer-researcher’ at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 11 according to UFO profile Researcher 3, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4537,00 and €6209,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 24 months with a scope of 0,6 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 
   

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences FASoS is a close-knit community of approximately 250 staff members and 2100 students. During breaks and before meetings, you can often find us at our favourite local coffee spot Bandito Espresso.  
 

Communication lines within our faculty are short and colleagues are always ready to assist each other. FASoS consists of a highly international student population and a significant part of our staff comes from abroad. Our faculty offers four bachelor programs, eight masters programs and two research master programs that are all characterized by their interdisciplinary approach.
 

Our research institute studies societies and cultures as they have developed in the modern and contemporary periods. We adopt a radically interdisciplinary approach, analysing the interconnections between Europeanization, globalization, scientific and technological advancement, political change, and cultural innovation. 
 

In addition to teaching and research, our colleagues enjoy expressing themselves creatively. They create podcasts, write poetry as well as fiction. 
 

Working at FASoS means working in a challenging yet informal environment. We believe in crafting your own career path and are always ready to help you in making the most of your job. For more information about FASoS, you can visit our website FASoS
 

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Claartje Rasterhoff at c.rasterhoff@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. 

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Farm to table ‘chef-designer-researcher’? Apply now, no later than 23 May 2025, for this position.

Please upload your CV (max 3 pages), motivation letter (max 2 pages), portfolio (selection; max 5 pages).

The first interviews will take place in the week of June 2nd, possibly online.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.