The candidate:

• Executes projects in the field of advanced automated production systems with a focus on agro-robotics and mechatronic systems for (glass) horticultural applications.
• Develops new prototypes of mechatronic systems for the application area, often in close interaction with industrial partners.
• Develops new accompanying control software for various robotics systems, such as harvest robots, sorting systems for horticultural products, detection systems for fruit or flower yield, quality determination of fresh products and crops and other automation issues.
• Is responsible for the design of specialised mechatronic components, such as end-effectors of robotis or inspection modules.
• Translates the design to practical solutions for customers; takes care of the realisation of proof-of-principles and prototypes.
• Leads and works in projects together with other academic and industrial partners.
• Conducts applied scientific research within the projects.
• Communicates relevant research results to science and practise.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious researcher agro-robotics, with:

• Academic working and thinking on the field of mechatronics, study in e.g. mechanical engineering, mechatronics, robotics.
• Knowledge of mechatronic systems and experience with prototype design.
• Experience with 3D drawing and calculation software, such as SolidWorks.
• Knowledge of material properties analysis and simulation is an advantage.
• Knowledge of machine vision hardware (cameras, optics, light) is an advantage.
• Experience with Linux, ROS and different programming languages is an advantage.
• Experience with the application of mechatronic systems in the green environment and willingness to learn the challenges of horticulture.
• Is creative, thinks as a designer; combines theoretical knowledge with practical setups and implementation.
• Experience with project-based work and project leadership.
• Excellent knowledge of Dutch and English language.
• Driving License B.
• Is an enthusiastic independent researcher with good communication skills and team spirit.
• Is customer- and quality-oriented and stress tolerant.

A challenging position with, depending on your education and experience, a competitive salary up to a maximum of € 4.438 gross per month for a full working week of 36 hours in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Wageningen Research (scale 10). At WUR you work in a (inter-) national leading organization in the field of research and education. This is a position for a duration of one year with the prospect of permanent employment if our cooperation is mutually satisfactory.
In addition, we offer:

• 8% holiday allowance;
• a fixed end-of-year bonus of 3%;
• excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions;
• flexible working hours and vacations can be determined in consultation with colleagues in such a way that an optimal balance between work and private life is possible;
• excellent pension plan through ABP;
• 171 vacation hours, the possibility to purchase extra and good supplementary leave schemes;
• a choice model to put together part of your employment conditions yourself, such as a bicycle plan;
• make use of the sports facilities on campus for a small fee.

Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with an active internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a learning environment. We offer a versatile job in an international environment with varied activities in a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 6,000 employees, and 12,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at thespecial career site.

Wageningen University & Research, business unit Greenhouse Horticulture, is the internationally leading contract research institute for greenhouse horticulture. We focus on innovations in the greenhouse horticulture sector. Together with industry, science and government, questions on greenhouse design, crop management and cultivation are analyzed and translated into application-oriented research and innovation processes.
The business unit Greenhouse Horticulture has about 110 employees and four research teams:

• Crop health, water and growing medium
• Crop physiology
• Crop management and quality
• Greenhouse Technology

The function described here is part of the Greenhouse Technology research team. Research is conducted to develop sustainable greenhouse and indoor farming production systems in the Netherlands and various regions in the world. Experts in the field of crop physiology, crop protection, greenhouse climate, water, energy, modelling, data science, computer vision, sensors and robotics work together in a multi-disciplinary approach. They do this together with experts from science and business. For more information, take a look at https://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Research-Institutes/plant-research/greenhouse-horticulture.htm

Programme Agro Food Robotics
In the field of Agro Food Robotics research and development, Wageningen University & Research is worldwide the most experienced and innovative organisation More than 40 engineers and researchers work together with academic and industrial partners on new robotic systems for agri and food.
We design agricultural robotic systems for open field, indoor horticulture, livestock, fresh chains and food, together with many experts on these application fields within Wageningen. The research topics are:

• Precision farming (computer vision and robotics parts thereof).
• Robotic harvesting and plant manipulation.
• Non-destructive measurements.
• Automated quality assessment.
• Automated vision guided phenotyping.
• 3D reconstruction & hyperspectral imaging.
• Quality phenomics (computer vision and robotics parts thereof).

For further information about, take a look at http://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Projects-and-programmes/Agro-Food-Robotics.htm