Are you looking for an opportunity to contribute to exciting plant molecular research or tissue culture? Do you enjoy being involved in different research lines and teaching (practical) classes? And do you want to work in a dynamic and multicultural academic environment?

The cluster of Plant Developmental Biology is looking for two enthusiastic lab technicians to support our plant molecular biology and tissue culture research. We study molecular and cellular aspects of plant development and plasticity.

For the vacancy of the molecular biology technician, the work may involve a wide variety of approaches, including gene-editing, cloning and transformations, gene expression, protein chemistry and microscopy.

For the vacancy of the tissue culture technician, we are looking for a person that fits in an international team that strives for innovation in cassava transformation.

Your tasks and responsibilities as a lab technician include:

• support the projects of PhD candidates and postdocs;
• perform independent lab experiments;
• perform lab management tasks;
• assist in teaching (BSc and MSc level courses).

You will work here
The cluster of Plant Developmental Biology integrates the chair groups Molecular Biology (led by Ronald Pierik) and Cell and Developmental Biology (led by Viola Willemsen) that share facilities and collaborate intensively in teaching and research. We are an enthusiastic, international team of researchers who investigate a diversity of plant science topics.

You are:

• a motivated researcher in the field of plant molecular biology or tissue culture and plant transformation;
• an efficient and proactive worker;
• a proficient team player with experience in multicultural organizations;
• strong at organization and project management skills.

You also possess:

• an HBO bachelor, MSc or PhD diploma in the field of molecular (plant) biology, or related field;
• extensive hands-on experience in molecular biology tools or tissue culture;
• a willingness to contribute to teaching of MSc and BSc students;
• strong communication skills and excited to work in a large and diverse team;
• the drive to contribute to an open and inclusive atmosphere;
• excellent English language proficiency (a minimum of CEFR C2 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our language page

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• 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 / holiday hours by working more, per week;
• 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 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3.072 and € 4.103 for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 8). Additionally, a contract for 0.8 FTE can be discussed. Initially, we offer you a one-year contract, and there can be possibilities for extension if there is mutual enthusiasm. Of course, we would be happy to discuss this with you if you have any questions.

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 unique 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 19th 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.
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 for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

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, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 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.