Are you excited about research related to food systems that contribute to a better world?
If so, we are looking for an impassioned researcher to lead and participate in projects related to the food chain.

At WFBR, we create sustainable solutions to provide a growing population with sufficient, healthy, nutritious, and high-quality food. Our Supply Chain Development applied research group supports industry, government agencies, public bodies, and development organizations in designing and redesigning food chains and systems by combining data with knowledge of technical and logistical innovations.

As an example, we're currently helping to integrate sustainable food supply systems in Bangladesh. The aim there is to reduce food loss and improving food security. Also, we're testing how sensor data can monitor the loss of quality of fresh produce in the European supply chain. We investigate how this data can be leveraged (with IoT) to improve product quality and sustainability.

The Role:

• you lead and participate in research projects with a multidisciplinary team of skilful professionals and maintain close contact with the client;
• you collect, organize, and analyse data to provide advice on supply chain and food systems for clients;
• you translate supply chain research into practical solutions for clients;
• you write reports for clients, scientific papers for high-impact journals, and research proposals for funding purposes.

Key Qualities of the Researcher in food systems & logistics:

• possess an MSc degree or PhD;
• have minimally four years of work experience in agro-logistics/economics, quantitative market analysis, or agri-food, preferably in or with the private sector;
• have scientific knowledge of logistics, operations research, supply chain management, or a related field, preferably in the field of agri and food;
• adopt an organised and solution-oriented approach, and think and act proactively and independently;
• possess good writing skills to report research results clearly, promptly, and accurately, and to write concise and engaging research proposals for funding purposes;
• have a good command of Dutch, minimally at B2 level.

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 € 3527,-, and € 5479,-. for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11).
Additionally, a contract for 0.8 FTE can be discussed. You will initially receive a one-year contract, which will be extended to an open-ended contract upon in mutual enthusiasm.
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.

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.