We are looking for an experienced stock assessment 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 we deal with interspecies dynamics in the context of achieving maximum sustainable yield? 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? We are looking for a senior fisheries scientist who wants to take up these challenges and is keen on playing a pivotal role in our stock assessment team. As an informal leader you will take the lead in scientific discussions within our institute on these subjects and will take responsibility for the quality of the work and publications of the fisheries assessment team. You will actively participate in international discussions on stock assessment and advice and will work closely with European and other international marine science institutes in order to formulate research proposals. You will develop a research strategy to keep Wageningen Marine Research on the forefront of fisheries and ecosystem assessment methodologies and marine governance. You will actively combine the expertise of our assessment team with expertise found elsewhere within our institute and from this, go beyond traditional assessment work.

An ambitious researcher with an academic postgraduate qualification in fisheries biology, marine ecology or mathematics and an international profile. You have a keen interest in populations dynamics and fisheries research. You have at least eight years of relevant work experience in fisheries assessments and/or fisheries modelling and management strategy evaluation. While you have strong theoretical background you find it a challenge to work on applied research questions, some of which have to be addressed in short time intervals. You find it a challenge to work both nationally and internationally with the fishing industry and researchers from other scientific disciplines on joint projects. 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 a proven success rate in acquiring research grants and/or contracts from industry and government. You have experience in presenting scientific results, preparing reports and making presentations to communicate with both specialist and non-specialist audiences. 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 have a proven peer-reviewed publication track record. Publishing your applied research in relevant peer reviewed journals is a must.

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 (scale 11/12, maximum € 5,406,00 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.