Assistant Researcher Advanced Cultivation Systems

Are you the creative and entrepreneurial researcher on the application of physiological knowledge in greenhouse horticulture? Would you like to contribute to the development of sustainable, circular, innovative and competitive greenhouse cultivation systems? Then we have an interesting position for you at Wageningen University & Research! We are looking for you!

We are looking for a colleague with knowledge of plant physiology, cultivation systems and advanced plant and light measurements. You will conduct research projects in the design of optimal environmental conditions in greenhouses for plant growth, development and production. You will work together with our specialists in the fields of greenhouse climate, sensors, crop modelling, nutrients and crop protection, to contribute to the development of a sustainable and innovative greenhouse sector.

As an assistant researcher advanced cultivation systems you will be responsible for the following:

• You will execute projects in the field of greenhouse horticulture, aimed at optimizing environmental conditions for crop growth, development and production
• You will be involved in experimental work in advanced cultivation systems in greenhouses such as the Innovation and Demonstration Centre LED Lighting and in Vertical Farms
• You will translate research questions into experimental designs and protocols for advanced measurements such as photosynthesis, transpiration, light interception, spectral composition of the light, etc.
• You will process and analyse the experimental data, describe the results in reports and present them.
• You will cooperate with colleagues from different expertise within and outside the Business Unit.
• You will consider opportunities for new projects and be involved in acquisition.
• You will maintain contact with clients, (local) governments, greenhouse suppliers, growers and other (international) knowledge institutions.

As researcher physiology and lighting you will be working in the research team on Physiology and Product Quality. In this team, we work together on understanding and improving production systems and harvestable products in greenhouse horticulture. We investigate the effects of greenhouse climate and cultivation systems on crop development, production and product quality, including the underlying plant processes such as photosynthesis and transpiration. We do experimental research in greenhouses and vertical farms, and develop sensory systems for quality assessment. We develop and use crop growth models to analyse the data, we work on the design and use of intelligent sensors and data-driven cultivation systems, and on the design of cultivation systems for new greenhouse crops. In this, we closely cooperate with the other research teams.

For an enthusiastic and ambitious assistant researcher at our research location in Bleiswijk, with:

• Relevant education at BSc or MSc level in plant sciences, applied biology or another relevant education;
• Experience in the design and execution of greenhouse trials, data processing and reporting
• Knowledge of physiological and morphological processes, its interaction with greenhouse climate, and the technical design of cultivation systems;
• Knowledge of light, (LED) lighting and advanced (plant) measurements such as spectral composition of the light, photosynthesis, light interception, etc.
• Interest in sensors and crop monitoring;
• Preferably knowledge of and experience in greenhouse horticulture;
• Interest to work in project teams with colleagues and stakeholders, such as growers, horticultural supply companies or government;
• Affinity with working in a contract research organization;
• Fluent in Dutch and English;
• A driver’s license B;
• Good communicative skills, team spirit, client oriented and tolerant to stress.

Do you feel enthusiastic about this position, but do you not meet all criteria? Convince us that you are able to master lacking knowledge and skills in a short time. We would like to get in contact with you.

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, up to 40 hours per week;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 4%;
• 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 salary of between € 2.800,= to maximum € 4.317,= for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 8/9).

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.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 18th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling. For instance under the "30% rule", certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.

For more information about this function, please contact Anne Elings, team leader of Physiology and Product Quality, [email protected]  tel. +31 6 53711095 or Anja Dieleman, senior researcher crop physiology, [email protected] , phone +31 317 483203.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Ine van’t Land, recruiter by email [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 Monday 5 January 2023.

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. For more information please go to our inclusivity page . A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

Wageningen University & Research
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, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 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 this video to get an idea of our green campus!

Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture
The Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture  of Wageningen University & Research is a well-established international contract research organisation, working on innovative solutions for protected cultivation. Together with companies, government and research organisations, we work on research questions on  greenhouse design, cultivation systems and crop protection, and translate these to applied and strategic research projects. The business unit Greenhouse Horticulture and Flower bulbs has approximately 150 employees working at two locations, viz., Wageningen and Bleiswijk.
Check this video for an impression of our work: 

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