Livestock & Environment is the largest department of Wageningen Livestock Research and comprises almost 50 employees, including senior and junior scientists and support staff.
The department is working in the multidisciplinary field of quantifying environmental impacts (emissions, nutrient cycling, biodiversity) at farm, chain and system level. We do this partly by measurements and experiments while understanding the underlying processes and partly by model calculations at farm, chain and system level. In our research projects, we closely cooperate with other departments within Wageningen Livestock Research and other WUR research institutes, but also with third parties, like government, sector organisations, NGO's and - of course - farmers. The aim is to promote the ecological sustainability (planet) of livestock and farming systems within the context of the agrifood system. Our research translates the societal demand for sustainable livestock production into feasible solutions for livestock farms and agrifood systems, with a useful and appreciated role for livestock.
We work actively on the following themes:

• atmosphere (gaseous emissions, particulate matter, low-emission animal housing systems);
• soil (soil quality, water, minerals and fertilisation, pasturing, grassland and feed crops, biodiversity);
• closing mineral cycles/circular agrifood systems (animal-manure-crop cycles, manure technology).

The research focuses on the interactions on the axis: consumer-citizen-environment-farm-animal.

We are looking for a scientist with a broad interest in livestock systems and a strong engagement with sustainability, having completed a MSc or PhD study. The candidate has water management as core expertise and is able to build upon this expertise in interdisciplinary livestock-related topics such as land use & water management, climate smart agriculture, grass based production and soil management, Life Cycle Analyses & water footprints.
You will be involved in various types of projects, often oriented to create change towards sustainability. This can range from desk research to facilitation of innovation activities. You have to be able to combine heterogeneous knowledge, practical insights and interaction with stakeholders to stimulate and support change at farm, chain or policy level. The projects can be at a national and international level (European projects and wider international projects). The candidate is motivated to (eventually) take a leading role in these projects and publish results in peer reviewed journals.

Candidates should either have 1) a MSc or PhD in one of the following subjects: water management or environmental sciences, 2) a strong affiliation with project management, and 3) experience in project acquisition. The candidate should have a strong track record as a PhD student and/or postdoc and show a keen and independent intellect. This position requires an excellent English language proficiency (a mininum of CEFR C1 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.
Further preferred skills:

• Good organizational and excellent communication skills (both spoken and written in English).
• Ability to work in diverse and multidisciplinary teams.
• Scientific track record with publications in peer reviewed journals.
• Experience in project management.
• Be able to acquire new projects as part of our team.
• Affinity with the animal production sector in the Netherlands and international.

The position is available within the department of Livestock & Environment, Wageningen Livestock Research. The candidates will be employed at location Wageningen.

• Employment basis: Temporary for specified period, for at most 36 hours per week, for a period of 1 year with the intent to be extended.
• We not only offer a good salary (salary depends on the qualifications and experience with a gross maximum of salary group 11, €4.934), but also good (study) leave opportunities and a pension of the ABP Pension Fund, and being part of an excellent research team in a contract research organisation.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

Wageningen Livestock Research develops knowledge for a sustainable and profitable livestock sector, translates this into practice-oriented solutions and innovations, and ensures that this knowledge is disseminated. Together with our clients, and on the basis of practical experience, we integrate our scientific know-how in the areas of livestock systems and of the nutrition, genetics, welfare and environmental impact of farm animals to produce livestock concepts for the 21st century.