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 Entrepreneurial University: Stronger Together | Service Portal | University of Twente 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.
Information and application
For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Dr. T. (Tanya) Bondarouk, Chair of the Appointment Committee.
To apply, please submit:
- Motivation letter;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Research vision statement (maximum 3 pages);
- Leadership and educational vision statement (maximum 2 pages);
- A selection of key publications;
- Contact details of three references.
Applications can be submitted until December 1, 2026 through the online application system.
Candidates are kindly requested to take into account that the first-round interviews will be held on 7 December, 2026.
About the department
The Department of High Tech Business and Entrepreneurship (HBE) Department HBE and its sections | Department HBE | Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social sciences (BMS) is an internationally recognised department within the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences. HBE develops knowledge at the intersection of technology, business, organisations and entrepreneurship, combining disciplinary excellence with interdisciplinary collaboration. Its research and education contribute to understanding and shaping socio-technical innovation, responsible organisations and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The department offers a collaborative and internationally oriented academic environment, with strong connections to engineering disciplines, public and private partners, and regional, national and international innovation ecosystems. HBE is committed to high-quality research, excellent education, Open Science, and creating sustainable economic and societal value.
About the organisation
At the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS), we unite the worlds of people and technology to address today’s complex societal challenges. We are passionate about understanding human behaviour, fostering responsible innovation, and designing solutions that create societal value. Our educational programmes span disciplines such as Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences, and Health Sciences. Through our bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Professional Learning & Development programmes, and interdisciplinary research themes – including Emerging Technologies & Societal Transformations, Resilience, Smart Industry, Learning, and Health – we empower students and researchers to make a positive societal impact.
At BMS, we combine critical thinking with practical action. From advancing sustainable mobility with innovations like the world’s most efficient hydrogen car to shaping policies that promote digital inclusion, our work contributes to a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable future. Whether it’s exploring how technology influences human behaviour or leveraging data and innovation to transform industries and communities, we ensure that technology serves people – and not the other way around.
As an employer, BMS offers a vibrant, inclusive, and entrepreneurial environment where you can thrive personally and professionally. Join us and become part of a forward-thinking community that equips you to shape the future – for yourself and society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact.
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