(Senior) Researcher Environmental Risk Assessment

We are looking for

Are you an eco (-toxico) logist with interest in supporting a transition towards a biodiverse agricultural environment? Do you like to acquire funding and develop new research lines in integrative chemical environmental risk assessment, focusing on predicting the behaviour and effects of organic contaminants in the environment? Do you like to collaborate with colleagues inside and outside Wageningen Environmental Research? Then this vacancy might be of interest to you!

For our Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) team at the research institute Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR), we are looking for a (Senior) Researcher (32-36 hours a week)
The Environmental Risk Assessment team focuses on providing science based answers and solutions for integrative assessment and management of a biodiverse agricultural environment. We are a leading center of expertise for the assessment of environmental risks in the area of pesticides, and other emerging chemicals. We take pride in our highly qualified staff (~25 employees) and advanced laboratories, including outstanding outdoor test facilities ( www.sinderhoeve.org ). For our clients (government agencies, EU, NGOs, and industries) we develop models and conduct experimental (GLP-compliant) research, to predict the behaviour of contaminants in water, soil and air, and to determine their effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and focal organisms (e.g. bees). Furthermore, we offer consultancy and training on sustainable pesticide management in upcoming economies.
As a (senior) Researcher you will be involved in the following:

• Contributing and managing as a researcher to a number of projects, including field and laboratory experiments carried out under quality management systems such as GLP,  with a variety of clients in close collaboration with other colleagues within and outside ERA team. In this role, not only you ensure scientific quality of the research, but also make sure that the planned financial results and deadlines are met.
• Publishing the results of research in scientific journals and present them at international conferences
• Acquiring research projects and building up and maintaining an (inter)national network.
• Being a reliable linking pin between the organisation and the clients.
• Contributing to a long-term vision in support of national and international research agendas.
• Further strengthening and enlarging the research field based on your expertise, together with the team.

We ask

• A PhD degree in environmental sciences, chemistry, biology or a related science (having additional experience and relevant existing network would be an advantage);
• A creative thinker and initiator with the energy to move projects in a positive and constructive way and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously;
• Preferably experience with acquisition of new projects;
• Capacity to work with quality management systems such as Good Laboratory Practice (GLP);
• Good interpersonal skills in taking care of a variety of customers & being a pleasant team player;
• At least C1 level of communication skills (writing and speaking) in English. Knowledge of the Dutch language or willingness to learn it is a prerequisite. Strong international candidates will be offered an intensive language course to help them achieve the required level of Dutch 

We offer

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 monthly gross salary of between €2949,- and €5479,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the 

CLA Wageningen Research

 (scale 10-11). Additionally, a contract for 32 hours is also an option.

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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief , known as the 30% ruling. 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 housing, schooling, and other issues. Finally a specialized organization  will assist your partner one on one in finding a job or starting a business in the Netherlands, and besides that WUR offers a dual career program that helps partners through a group based program.

More information

For more information about the content of this position, please contact Sara Ahrari, Team Leader, phone: + 317 480 089, e-mail: [email protected]  

For any other questions on the procedure you can contact Edgar Tijhuis, recruiter, e-mail: [email protected]

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly by uploading your CV and motivation letter 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 September 26th 2022. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on 3 and/or 10 October 2022.

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 .

We are

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 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.