Do you have a passion for food supply chain research that contributes to a better world? We at Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (WFBR, part of Wageningen University and Research - WUR) are creating sustainable solutions to feed the growing population of the world with sufficient, healthy, nutritional, and high quality food. Are you interested in a position as Food Supply Chain Researcher? Join us!

What are you going to do?
We are looking for a new researcher who can unravel complexities within food systems; design, implement and interpret data-driven, multi-criteria hotspot analysis; as well as translate findings into appropriate solutions tackling food waste & loss, climate change and challenges within the circular bio-economy. Basically we look at the supply chain of fresh food. Where can we improve based on costs and durability? Ways to improve are by using technology, but also by changing consumer behaviour and the behaviour of other stakeholders in the chain.

As researcher in our team, you could be working on a project in Bangladesh where you do a field study and interviews with stakeholders. Your aim is to discover how crop can be better distributed so the quality and quantity in the market is better than it is now. What is the real problem and what interventions can we offer to improve the situation?

Another example is that you run a Public-Private Partnership project together with Dutch companies to optimize the supply chain by making use of Internet of Things (IoT) to prolong the shelf life and maintain the product quality of perishables.

As a researcher you are comfortable with both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and enjoy working on the crossroads of multiple scientific disciplines and organisations.

• you have an MSc and 3-4 years working experience or a PhD degree in the field of logistics, business management or agri-food;
• you have experience with quantitative as well as qualitative methodologies;
• you enjoy combining knowledge from several domains into solutions;
• you enjoy working in a contract research environment;
• you are pro-active, creative, and an independent thinker with team spirit and a social personality;
• you have good language skills in Dutch (at least B2) and English (at least C1). Spanish language skills are a benefit;
• you have a willingness to travel abroad occasionally (EU / international).

In addition to these skills, we are looking for the following competences:

• you can further complement our supply chain research by scientific knowledge in the field of innovation, transitions for circular economy, logistics, operations research and/or food products;
• you can write down the research results accurately and concisely in a report or journal paper;
• you can create a conceptual project proposal for acquisition purposes and translate it into practical solutions with customer value;
• you are able to lead a diverse project team while maintaining close contact to the customer (now or in the future);
• you are able to create your own network within and outside the Wageningen University & Research community.

We understand that we ask a lot. We also understand that you might think that you are good, but you are missing a few things. No worries! Let's discuss if we can bridge the gap together. Don't hesitate to apply if you don't tick all the boxes (but most of them would be very nice).

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 between €2950,- and €4811,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10). 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.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the "Best University" in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

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

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.

Who are we?
The expertise team "Supply Chain Development" consists of 11 colleagues and focuses on data-driven monitoring and decision support for businesses, governments and development organisations. The aim is to advice on (re)designing and optimizing (fresh) food supply chains and networks. We are scientifically contributing to Net Zero food waste, circular and sustainable solutions to address complex problems in the agri-food system. The necessary multi-disciplinary / multi-actor solutions will require new ways of doing business, new roles for stakeholders to collaborate and new policies that support and incentivise the implementation of innovations, on local, national, European and international level. The Supply Chain Development team offers an informal working environment, with freedom to organise your work and the expectation that you take pro-active responsibility in reaching the customers, organisations and your own goals.
In the future, we expect you to lead projects as well.

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.