Do you want to be part of a challenging research environment and work on solutions for a biodiverse and sustainable environment? Are you a researcher in hydrology and/or solute transport modelling in surface water, and are you interested in the use and further development of simulation models? Do you want to do applied research in societally relevant topics such as the impact of and other stressors in the environment and sustainable food production? Then this could be your ideal next job!

The Environmental Risk Assessment team at Wageningen University and Research is looking for a new colleague to strengthen the team, with a background in modelling of water flows, hydrology, system analysis and/or environmental science. You will contribute to the further development, application and testing of our surface water transport model TOXSWA, which is applied on local and on catchment scale. You will take the role of researcher in some projects and, when applicable, lead relevant projects with a variety of clients (government agencies, NGOs, and industries).

Together with colleagues, you will set out, reshape, acquire necessary funding and implement strategic development lines. You will work in an enthusiastic, multidisciplinary, multi-national team including researchers working with environmental fate models such as (geo) PEARL, ecological effect models, and their integration, as well as researchers working on environmental chemistry, aquatic eco(toxico)logy and environmental risks to bees or arthropods.

You will work here
The Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) team at the research institute Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) which this challenging position is part of, focuses on providing science-based answers and solutions to assess and regulate the environmental risks of chemicals and other stressors, contributing to a biodiverse and sustainable environment. We take pride in our highly qualified staff (>30 employees) and advanced laboratories, including outstanding outdoor test facilities. For our clients (government agencies, EU, NGOs, and industries) we develop models, support their use by third parties in the NL and EU (pesticide) authorization procedure and conduct experimental research. Furthermore, we offer consultancy and training on sustainable pesticide management in upcoming economies.

• a PhD in (hydrological) system analysis, environmental hydraulics, or similar;
• affinity or knowledge of processes controlling environmental fate of chemicals in surface water, such as transport, volatilisation, sorption, and degradation, as well as understanding the pathways of chemicals’ entries in surface water;
• experience with development of numerical models using e.g. Fortran, Python, MATLAB or C;
• ability to work in a project-driven environment, balancing scientific quality versus meeting financial results and deadlines, and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously;
• capability to be a conceptually strong, proactive, motivated, and committed team player who can collaborate across disciplines;
• sufficient proficiency in Dutch or being prepared to learn Dutch via an intensive course;

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position a minimally language level C1 is required.

You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So, if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.

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, 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 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 €3,245,- and €5,737,- 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 can be discussed. You will initially receive a one-year contract, which will be extended to an open-ended contract upon 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.

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. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

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, 7,600 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.

For more information about the content of this position, please contact Ms. Sara Ahrari, Team Leader, e-mail: sara.ahrari@wur.nl

For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas, or Edgar Tijhuis, Corporate Recruiters, by email: noorien.abbas@wur.nl & edgar.tijhuis@wur.nl.

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 3 June 2024. We hope to schedule the first job 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. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.