As a researcher at Wageningen Marine Research in Yerseke, you will independently and collaboratively contribute to a wide range of research projects. The work primarily takes place in the laboratory and experimental facilities, and occasionally in the field (particularly in the Zeeland Delta and the North Sea).

Your main responsibilities as a researcher include processing and identifying samples of phytoplankton and shellfish larvae. You will also be responsible for designing and conducting experiments on shellfish, algae, seaweed, and fish. Additionally, you will contribute to the setup and maintenance of laboratory equipment for experimental research, as well as data processing, analysis, and reporting. You will work largely independently and ensure the quality assurance of the collected data. In the lab, you will act as the eyes and ears of the project leader and maintain contact with shellfish farmers and fishery officials.

Your tasks and responsibilities as a researcher include:

• ensuring the traceability of research data, measurement methods, materials, and samples during identification/analyses according to protocols;
• reporting data and results to the project leader;
• contributing to the organization and planning of the work to be performed and discussing progress with the project leaders;
• as a lab manager, being the first point of contact for laboratory quality assurance;
• contributing to the innovation of analytical methods and techniques;
• occasionally performing fieldwork and contributing to (other) experimental research.

Where You Will Work
Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) is a leading marine ecological research institute with approximately 190 employees. We operate from three locations: IJmuiden, Den Helder, and Yerseke. Within WMR, work is conducted in field research, theoretical research, experimental research, data management, and modeling. The institute has modern research facilities and is ISO 9001 certified. The chemical and benthos laboratories are also ISO 17025 accredited. WMR is a part of Wageningen University & Research. For more information about Wageningen Marine Research, visit our website.

You are entrepreneurial, decisive, proactive, and have strong communication skills. You work accurately, are practical, proactive, and solution-oriented.

You also possess:

• a completed HBO-level education in a relevant field, preferably in biology and/or ecology;
• experience, or at least a demonstrable affinity, with marine ecology and experimental research;
• the ability to perform basic analyses in MS Excel. Knowledge of working with advanced analytical equipment such as a flow cytometer is a plus;
• flexibility in your working hours due to weekend shifts for some experiments and occasional fieldwork;
• preferably, basic species knowledge of phytoplankton and shellfish larvae;
• a basic level of communication skills in English. For non-native speakers, sufficient proficiency in the Dutch language is required;
• a BE driver's license.

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;
• 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 8,3%;
• 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 €2.695,- and €3.551,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 7). 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, 7,600 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 the video below 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.