We are looking for a fisheries scientist who can actively contribute to management advice on sustainable fisheries operating on an economically viable basis in balance with the marine ecosystem. Wageningen Marine Research carries out applied research on this societal issue and in doing so, works closely with policy makers, the fishing industry, and other stakeholders. How can science contribute to improving selectivity in the fishery? What is needed for a more ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management? What could fisheries management advice look like in the context of socio-ecological interactions? How do we make optimal use of fisheries knowledge and data collected on-board vessels in answering these questions? We are looking for a fisheries scientist who wants to take up these challenges and is keen on taking up a large diversity of topics our fisheries research team and with specific focus on fish stock assessments. This means you will translate questions from the Dutch government, fishing industry and NGOs into research questions, participate in field and desk studies and report on main findings in clear recommendations to managers and stakeholders. You will work in a team on these topics, often with colleagues from different locations of WMR, other scientific disciplines and other international institutes. As part of this, you are expected to travel abroad to international meetings on a regular basis.

An ambitious researcher with an academic qualification in fisheries biology, marine ecology or mathematics. You have a keen interest in populations dynamics and fisheries research. You have at least three years of relevant work experience in fisheries research. You enjoy collaborating with fishermen in science projects and actively contribute to bringing fisheries, policy and science close together. Having an understanding of, or working experience with fish stock assessments is desired. You are expected to be proactive in designing innovative research projects together with the fishing industry and managers that should contribute to innovation in fisheries management. You are a team player, but also able to work independently and to take initiatives. Your people and communication skills are excellent, you are a good networker and you are able to perform well in stressful situations. You have experience in presenting scientific results, preparing reports and making presentations to communicate with both specialist and non-specialist audiences. You have ample experience with statistics, R and data analyses. Your English language skills are excellent. Proficiency in Dutch is welcome. You will be expected to learn Dutch in order to effectively communicate with stakeholders.
You are flexible in your working hours as this job involves being away for a number of weeks throughout the year. You will attend meetings with the industry outside of office working hours, as well as taking part in international meetings. You are expected to spend some time at sea on research surveys or commercial vessels. You are expected to publish your applied research in relevant peer reviewed journals.

We offer an interesting and challenging job (36 hours per week) with ample space for bringing in your own initiatives. Wageningen Marine Research has an explicit personal development policy. You will be part of a highly motivated group of colleagues who want to work with you on projects to achieve good end results. Depending on the role you can play and experience, the function level will be Researcher 2 or Researcher 3 maximum € 5,509,00 per month based on a 36 hour work week). You will be based in IJmuiden.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen Marine Research is a leading, independent research institute that focuses on strategic and applied marine ecological research. The institute was established in 2006. Products and services are executed on a project basis (more than 400 research projects) and are diverse in nature: field research, experiments on a realistic scale, exploratory studies on lab scale, data management and modelling. The institute has modern research facilities and is ISO 9001 certified. Wageningen Marine Research is an organisational part of Wageningen University and Research.