Ronald van Dijk Appointed Professor of Practice in Investment Management and Asset Pricing

The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ronald van Dijk as Professor of Practice in Investment Management and Asset Pricing. The position is embedded within the Department of Economics, Econometrics and Finance (EEF).

In this role, Van Dijk will contribute to both academic scholarship and professional practice by focusing on investment management and the factors influencing asset pricing. His expertise is particularly relevant to understanding the structure and functioning of capital markets and the strategic role of institutional investors—including banks, pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, and asset managers—within investment and fund management.

Serving as a bridge between academic theory and industry practice, Van Dijk will promote the integration of rigorous research with real-world investment decision-making. His work will highlight the practical implications of academic insights for fund management, institutional portfolio strategy, and asset valuation. In addition to his research, Van Dijk will be actively involved in teaching. He will co-lead an elective course on investment management in the MSc Finance program and supervise MSc theses, offering students guidance informed by both scholarly depth and industry experience.

The investment management industry has evolved rapidly in recent decades, introducing new complexities and opportunities for finance professionals. Preparing students to address these changes is critical. Van Dijk’s teaching will deepen students’ understanding of portfolio construction, asset pricing models, and the evolving role of institutional investors in global markets. Van Dijk: “In a world that’s changing fast, financial markets and investments have become powerful tools to tackle real-world challenges—from boosting European growth and securing good pensions, to fighting climate change and housing problems. In times like these, we need more than just market instincts; we need informed decisions and future-focused education. I am proud to step into this role and to work in this capacity with students interested in finance.”

Professional in investment practice

Next to his academic role, Van Dijk will continue to serve as Executive Board Member and Chief Investment Officer at Pension Fund Rail & OV, where he contributes to the board’s decision-making and the translation of board-level mandates into actionable investment strategies. The fund manages over €25 billion in assets on behalf of participants from the rail and public transport sector.

From 2010 to 2024, Van Dijk was a member of the global investment leadership team at APG Asset Management. His focus was on equities, fixed income and commodity investments. Prior to his tenure at APG, Van Dijk held senior positions at ING Investment Management, where he served as Head of Quantitative Investment Strategies and was a member of the Equities Management Team.

Van Dijk holds a PhD in Econometrics from Erasmus University Rotterdam, where his research developed and applied advanced econometric techniques to test corporate finance and stakeholder theories using longitudinal data.