Are you an ecological modeller who can develop, apply, and adapt ecological and ecotoxicological models for use in the assessment of environmental risks of chemicals, following the paradigms of good modelling practice? Do you like to collaborate with colleagues within and outside the team who have varying areas of expertise, including analytical chemistry, environmental fate of chemicals, ecology and ecotoxicology, statistics and computer science? Are you the motor for the implementation of ecological models and are interested in delivering high quality for the clients (government agencies, EU, NGOs, and industries) we work for? Then this vacancy might be of interest to you!

For the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) team at the research institute Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR), we are looking for a (senior) Ecological Modeller (32 to 36 hours per week).
The ERA team focuses on providing science based answers and solutions for integrative assessment and management of a biodiverse agricultural environment. We are a leading center of expertise for the assessment of environmental risks in the area of pesticides, and other emerging chemicals. We take pride in our highly qualified staff (~25 employees) and advanced laboratories, including outstanding outdoor test facilities (www.sinderhoeve.org ). For our clients we develop models and conduct experimental (GLP-compliant) research, to predict the behaviour of contaminants in water, soil and air, and to determine their effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and focal organisms (e.g. bees). Furthermore, we offer consultancy and training on sustainable pesticide management in upcoming economies.
As a (senior) ecological modeller you will be involved in the following:

• Acting as the researcher/modeller for a number of projects, with variety of clients (government agencies, EU, NGOs, and industries) in close collaboration with other colleagues within and outside ERA team. In this role, not only you ensure scientific quality of the work, but also make sure that the planned financial results and deadlines are met.
• Publishing the results in scientific journals and present them at international conferences
• Acquiring projects and building up and maintaining an (inter)national network.
• Contributing to a long-term vision in support of national and international research agendas.
• Being a reliable linking pin between the organisation and the clients.
• Further strengthening and enlarging the research field based on your expertise, together with the team.

• MSc or PhD degree in computer science, mathematics, environmental sciences, geo-ecology, biology or other relevant field ;
• Affinity with the field of ecotoxicology;
• Preferably 2 - 5 year experience in development and implementation of ecological models; ideally in a high-performance computing environment.
• Good programming skills (R, Python, MATLAB, NetLogo, etc.);
• Experience and affinity with data wrangling and data analysis;
• Experience and affinity with computer model quality assurance procedures, like Good Modelling Practice, and version control software;
• Preferably experience with acquisition of new projects;
• Good interpersonal skills in taking care of a variety of customers & being a pleasant team player;
• At least C1 level of communication skills (writing and speaking) in English. Knowledge of the Dutch language or willingness to learn it is a prerequisite. Strong international candidates will be offered an intensive language course to help them achieve the required level of Dutch

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 monthly gross salary of between €2949,- and €5479,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10-11). Additionally, a contract for 32 hours is also an option.

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 housing, schooling, and other issues. Finally a specialized organization will assist your partner one on one in finding a job or starting a business in the Netherlands, and besides that WUR offers a dual career program that helps partners through a group based program.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & 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, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR's Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

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.