Manager of Laboratory and Facility Services

Are you accurate, flexible, and ready to take on a versatile role in a research environment?
For our location in Yerseke, we are looking for a Laboratory Manager and Facilities Support Staff Member who will play a crucial role in keeping the laboratory and facilities running smoothly and professionally.

As Laboratory Manager, you are responsible for processes and tasks within the framework of ISO 9001, ensuring that our quality management system complies with international standards. Among other things, you manage documentation and chemicals and work closely with the QHSE Coordinator.

Your tasks and responsibilities in Quality Management & Research Support

• Managing the laboratory and ensuring that all processes run smoothly
• Responsible for chemical inventory management and safe storage
• Managing measuring instruments and equipment, including performing or coordinating repairs
• Carrying out quality checks, identifying deviations, contributing to process improvements, and preparing clear reports

Facilities Responsibilities
You ensure that researchers and students feel welcome right away. You are their first point of contact for the use of facilities and materials, efficiently arrange visits by technicians for repairs and maintenance, and act as the link between the Yerseke site and the Head of Facilities at WMR and NIOZ.

Your facilities-related duties include:

• Welcoming and onboarding new colleagues through intake meetings and practical explanations (laptops, badges, cars, keys, laboratory use)
• Fleet management (arranging garage maintenance, mandatory winter tire changes, monthly calibration)
• Inventory management and ordering (cleaning supplies, office materials, catering)
• Providing support during events
• Practical tasks such as waste management, laundry service, and submitting meter readings

Support in Practical Research
During busy periods, you help keep the laboratory running smoothly by actively contributing to practical research, such as measuring, weighing, and cleaning fish and shellfish. We are looking for an enthusiastic colleague who is flexible and takes initiative.

Your Team and Collaboration within the Organization
For quality management and research support tasks, you will work closely with researchers who carry out projects and activities in the laboratories. For the facilities part of your role, you will collaborate closely with all staff at our Yerseke location (approximately 30 FTE) and report functionally to the Head of Facilities at WMR in IJmuiden.

You are an approachable, customer- and quality-oriented colleague who works accurately and independently. In addition, you take responsibility, act proactively to keep everything running smoothly, and are someone who adapts flexibly to changing circumstances.

You also bring:

• MBO level of education and thinking (preferably in the direction of research assistant or facility services)
• Experience in laboratory work or with practical research activities is an advantage
• Experience in facility management or logistical tasks is an advantage
• Willingness to work on-site in Yerseke (no option for remote work)
• A basic level of English communication skills at B2 level.

If you do not yet have this level, we will, of course, support you through our Wageningen in’to Language centre. For non-Dutch speakers, it is important that you have sufficient command of Dutch to communicate with colleagues and external partners in Dutch.
You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be regarded as opportunities for development. Therefore, if you do not yet have the full track record described in the vacancy but do possess solid work experience, we would still like to invite you to apply.

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;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• a fixed year-end 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 €2.824,- and €3.567,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 6). This position is for for 22 hours per week: 8 hours for laboratory management, 6 hours for facility support, and 8 hours for research support, spread over 4 or 5 working days. Remote work is not possible.As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.
Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

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.

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. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

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 coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account 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.

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

Do you want more information?
For more information about the position, please contact Cas Wiebinga, Business Manager via +31317487000 or e-mail: cas.wiebinga@wur.nl

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van't Land, Corporate Recruiter, via recruitment.asg@wur.nl

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
You can apply until 11 November 2025.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.