We are looking for a Research Computing System Administrator to contribute to the research and teaching mission of the Experimental Zoology group (EZO). Within the technicians’ team, you will be jointly responsible for our computational facilities and workstations at EZO. This includes providing direct support to staff and students on Linux, MacOS and Windows systems. We offer you a position of 0,8 FTE. You will work in a dynamic environment with a diversity of computer systems, from dedicated workstations for numerical simulations to lab computers for data collection.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• managing and installing operating systems and research software on dedicated PCs (Linux, MacOS, Windows);
• generating and maintaining documentations about these systems;
• researching and purchasing specialized hardware and software;
• providing advice in FAIR software & data management (e.g., version control, data back-ups, and a documentation level appropriate for each project to enable long-term maintainability and sustainability).

You will work here
You will work with the researchers, teachers, students, and technicians at the Experimental Zoology group. You will work in the Zodiac building at Wageningen Campus. Most notably, you will work in close contact with the lab’s PhD candidates, postdocs and experimental research technicians to jointly align measurement output and data processing in order to optimize each specific experimental system. The technician team consists of 5 people who work together as a team by combining each other’s expertise.

The Experimental Zoology Group (EZO) is part of the Department of Animal Sciences of Wageningen University & Research. EZO studies how moving animals function in their complex natural environment, the four main research lines are Biomechanics of moving animals, Bioinspired design, Developmental zoology and Evolution. EZO is also responsible and involved in a broad range of Zoology courses for students of Biology, Animal Sciences, and Human Nutrition and Health, among others.

The Department of Animal Sciences is involved in research and education related to the health and welfare of animals and people. The primary focus is on the functioning of animals, both from a curiosity perspective and in relation to the various functions animals have for people.

You are an IT specialist with excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a dynamic environment. You have strong communication and collaborative skills. You enjoy helping others and like to advise on best practices.

You also possess:

• BSc/MSc degree in IT or a similar field;
• excellent programming skills in Python, experience in C, C++;
• ability to learn new concepts and technologies beyond the area of core knowledge.

In our international working environment, there is an increasing amount of communication in English. Therefore we require a C2 level for English and B2 for Dutch.

You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. Therefore, if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, we would also like to invite you to apply. We also invite fresh graduates to apply.

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). The position we offer is based on 0,8 FTE (30,4 hours). Additionally, a contract for 1 FTE can be discussed (38 hours). Initially, we offer you a one-year contract, which will then be extended to an open-ended contract 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 center 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.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands 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

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.