Laboratory Technician / Assistant Researcher in Shellfish

Are you passionate about marine ecology and experimental research? Do you want to work at a leading research institute? Do you hold a Bachelor's degreefrom a universityof applied sciences? Do you live in or near Zeeland? Then we are looking for you!

As a laboratory/research assistant at Wageningen Marine Research in Yerseke, you will independently and collaboratively contribute to a wide range of research projects. The work mainly takes place in the laboratory and experimental facilities, with occasional fieldwork (particularly in the Zeeland Delta).

At our Yerseke location, you will play an important role in our experiments and activities related to shellfish, algae, seaweeds, and fish. Your tasks will include identifying and processing samples of phytoplankton and shellfish larvae. Additionally, you will be responsible for setting up and conducting experiments and managing the laboratory, climate rooms, and research equipment. You will also contribute to processing and analyzing data and reporting on it. You will work largely independently, ensuring the quality assurance of the collected data. In the lab, you will be the eyes and ears of the project leader.

Your tasks and responsibilities as a laboratory/research assistant are:

• proper management of laboratories, climate rooms, mesocosms, and research equipment;
• as lab manager, being the first point of contact for the quality assurance of the laboratories;
• (co-)organizing and planning the tasks to be performed and consulting with project leaders about progress;
• (co-)contributing to the innovation of analytical methods and techniques;
• reporting data and outcomes to the project leader;
• ensuring the traceability of research data, measurement methods, resources, and samples during identification/analyses, following protocols;
• occasionally performing fieldwork and contributing to (other) experimental research;
• preferably, you will also join our emergency response (BHV) team.

Where you will work
Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) is a leading marine ecological research institute with approximately 190 employees. We operate from three locations: IJmuiden, Den Helder, and Yerseke. WMR conducts field research, theoretical research, experimental research, data management, and modeling. The institute boasts modern research facilities and is ISO 9001 certified. The chemical and benthos laboratories are also ISO 17025 accredited. WMR is a part of Wageningen University & Research. For more information about Wageningen Marine Research, visit our website .

You are enterprising, decisive, proactive, and communicatively strong. You work accurately, are practical, proactive, and solution-oriented.

You also possess:

• a Bachelor's degree from a university of applied sciences in a relevant field, preferably in biology and/or ecology;
• experience, or at least a demonstrable affinity, with marine ecology and experimental research, preferably in a laboratory setting;
• technical insight and practical skills;
• experience working with microscopes. Knowledge of advanced analysis equipment such as a flow cytometer is a plus;
• basic species knowledge of phytoplankton and shellfish larvae is preferred;
• ability to perform basic analyses in MS Excel;
• flexibility in your working hours due to weekend shifts for some experiments and occasional fieldwork;
• preferably, you live in Zeeland or within a commutable distance from Yerseke;
• a basic level of communication skills in English. For non-Dutch speakers, a sufficient command of the Dutch language is required;
• finally, a driving license B. A driving license BE and forklift certificate are a plus, or you are willing to obtain them.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality;
• a fixed December bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between €2.695,- and €3.551,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 7). You will initially receive a one-year contract, which will be extended to an open-ended contract upon in mutual enthusiasm. 

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

For more information about this position, please contact Eric Visser, Coordinator Research Support, [email protected]

For more information about the procedure, please contact Dax Teunissen, corporate recruiter , [email protected]

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including July 29, 2024

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.