Are you a passionate plant researcher who wants to work in greenhouse horticulture? Do you want to investigate how you can use our knowledge and all the technological possibilities that greenhouse horticulture offers, to get the maximum out of the plant for a circular, innovative and competitive greenhouse horticulture? Then we are looking for you!

We are looking for a colleague who conducts research about the reactions of the horticultural crops to, for example, the greenhouse climate, (LED) lighting, who integrates this knowledge in sustainable and innovative cultivation strategies together with a.o. plant nutrition and crop health aspects.

In the "crop management and cultivation" team, 26 researchers work on all kinds of aspects of the cultivation of glasshouse horticultural crops and flower bulbs. Important research topics include understanding and controlling crop growth and production with energy-efficient (LED) lighting, (fossil-free) heating and limited CO2 dosing; the development of integral sustainable cultivation systems in terms of energy use, water use, and crop health; developing cultivation protocols for various 'new' greenhouse crops; and researching crop response in innovative cultivation systems such as vertical farming and digital (autonomous) cultivation control. For our research we have state-of-the-art greenhouse facilities available, vertical farm units, laboratories and advanced measuring equipment.

The researcher we are looking for, will work on various research projects, especially in the floriculture field. Sometimes as a project leader, but also as a researcher who contributes relevant knowledge and competencies to colleagues' projects. We are looking for someone who stays in close contact with companies and organizations in the sector, who knows what is going on and who can respond to questions that arise. But also someone who has an eye for new developments, including through contacts with experts in our own organization, and who is able to translate these into opportunities for the relevant (ornamental) crops. We are looking for someone who can initiate and acquire research projects (often together with colleagues), conduct and report them.

• Knowledge at academic level;
• Relevant education and/or experience in, for example, plant sciences or biology;
• Minimum 5 years of work experience;
• Good knowledge of plant physiological processes;
• Knowledge and experience in research areas such as photosynthesis, plant development, plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress; capability to implement this in innovative developments like digital crop management;
• Knowledge of research methods, measurement methods and (statistical) data processing in the relevant research areas;
• Experience with networking and acquisition;
• Experience with project management of (research) projects, organizational qualities;
• Knowledge of and network in the greenhouse horticulture sector is an advantage, especially floriculture (cut flowers and pot plants);
• Affinity with working in a contract research organization;
• Good command of the Dutch and English language;
• Driving license B.

This position requires an excellent English language proficiency (a mininum of CEFR C1 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.

We would be happy to get in touch with you if you recognize yourself in most of the criteria and if you can convince us that you can master the others within a short period of time.

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, up to 40 hours 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 4%;
• 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 a maximum of € 5.268,-- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11). Additionally, a contract for 32 hours a week can be discussed.

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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. 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, and other issues.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen's unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

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.