Two Research Managers (MT members)

For one of the Institutes of WUR, Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (WFBR ) including 300 professionals, we are looking for:

Two Research Managers (MT members)

Are you a dedicated people manager seeking socially meaningful work with a positive impact on the environment?

Do you have a talent for creating an innovative culture that combines science and entrepreneurship?

We are looking for two Research Managers, each to lead a department of impassioned researchers, working with world-class research facilities. 

As part of our Sustainable Chemistry & Technology department (45 professionals) you will work on the development of renewable, biobased chemicals and (bio)plastic products, supporting the transition towards a fossil-free society.

In the Bioconversion department  (30 professionals) you will focus on biotechnological innovations and fermentation technology for application in the agro, food, nutrition and chemical applications as well as circular water systems.  

WFBR aims to create societal impact through science-based projects and services using world-class facilities and multi-disciplinary expertise’s. WFBR is a research institute where employees love to work together within an innovative, inclusive and open culture. Our collaborations with the industry aim to achieve a position as preferred research partner in our domain, so that we contribute to the transition to a low-carbon economy.

You act as line manager of all group members, focusing on development of our employees, whereby collaboration (also with different departments) is stimulated and the highest standards on quality are functional.  In addition, you are responsible for ensuring that the group defines and implements a strategy for research.

As Research Manager you will:

• encourage, stimulate and manage your team members in their personal and competence development;
• supervise researchers and project leaders (matrix organisation) and ensure that research projects run smoothly;
• manage the laboratories and large research facilities (financially, capacity, maintenance, safety, quality etc.)
• translate the latest developments in the work area into concrete actions;
• be responsible for managing the team capacity to carry out innovative great-quality research;
• play a stimulating role in the Management Team and act as a bridge builder, promoting collaboration, and implementing a strategy for research.

The MT is cooperatively responsible for all practical and strategical matters. The challenges for WFBR in the coming years lie in the area of further business-oriented positioning towards existing and new clients, a boosted focus on creating societal impact with our work and cooperation with different WUR institutes and external stakeholders.

You have:

• demonstrably efficacious experience in leading a unit of high-educated professionals, within an (applied-) research or academic organisation;
• a correlated beta, technical or life science academic education preferably in a relevant  research area whereby a PhD-degree is preferred;
• team builder ability, with attention to the (development of) employees. You are an empathetic role model for professionals regarding working in applied science;
• excellent communication skills;
• a current Dutch language proficiency at least at B2 level.

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 feasible work-life balance. A contract for 32 hours can be discussed;
• 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;
• 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.

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 invited also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's terms of employment 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, or schooling. For instance under the "30% rule", distinct categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.

For more information about this position, please contact Gerhard de Ruiter, business unit manager, tel. +31 317-489150.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Paul Snijder, senior 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 May1st, 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 .

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 about 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 unequaled Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

You will work here:
Within WFBR, approximately 300 experts develop technological and organisational solutions for optimal use of bioresources, to supply high-quality food products and biobased materials that are affordable and appreciated by consumers, thereby enabling the transition to an economical viable, circular, biobased and healthy society.
If you're ready to accelerate necessary transitions and make a difference for future generations, we'd love to have you join us in this exciting scientific environment!

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.