European Forest Researcher

Are you challenged by the role of forests and forest management towards a sustainable future? Would you like to use your knowledge on forests to improve our understanding of climate smart forest management within Europe? Are you interested to find solutions for the challenges in the chain of wooden products? Then we might be looking for you!

The Vegetation, Forest and Landscape ecology Team (VBL) is an enthusiastic team of about 40 colleagues working on options for conservation, restoration, development and sustainable use of vegetation, forests and landscapes from an ecological perspective. We focus on the way in which policy, management and climate affect ecological processes and what their consequences are for climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and restoration, delivery of ecosystem services and other specific policy goals.

An important element of our work is the development and application of European forest simulation models . Such models help to understand and visualize the role that European forests play for biodiversity, climate, renewable resources, and the environment and how Climate-Smart Forest management can contribute to optimize this role. With these models, we help managers and various authorities (local, regional, national and European) to evaluate and further shape forest and climate policies.

We are looking for a researcher that can help us to further integrate spatially explicit concepts and data into our research and simulation models and to link the model work with remote sensing products. You will also be responsible for the exchange of information (providing forest inventory data, receiving remote sensing products) with project partners.

Besides this, you will also orientate yourself on developments in related (forest) ecological disciplines. In the team and within projects, you contribute to simulation model development, research, editing and interpreting research results together with a senior researcher or project leader. You will also contribute to the acquisition of externally funded scientific research on Dutch and European forests in the context of (climate) policy and management studies. Also contributing to lectures, reports and publications as well as supervision of junior researchers will be part of your work.

To strengthen our team we are looking for a researcher with a background and interest in forest modelling, with a strong focus on handling and integrating spatial forest information and remote sensing. We prefer at least 5 years of working experience in these fields, but will also consider candidates with less working experience but with an excellent track record.

• At least an MSc degree with specialization in Forest and Nature management or similar
• Demonstrable experience and knowledge in forest and forest management modelling
• Demonstrable understanding of spatial data analysis and/or applying remote sensing within a forest (management) context
• Knowledge of ecological processes in forests
• Strong communication skills; fluency in oral and written English;
• Preferred experience: R, Python or Java
• Key competences: pro-active, collaborative, flexible, result oriented

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 gross salary of between € 2,949,- and €5,479,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10-11). This is a full-time position for a period of 1 year, a part-time contract for 32 hours per week is negotiable. When functioning properly and with good business results, the position can be extended.

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.

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 position, please contact Eric Arets, co-team leader of the forest section, via [email protected] , or 0317-487052
For more information about the procedure contact Edgar Tijhuis, 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 April 3rd  2023. We will schedule the interviews soon afterwards.

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!

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