Researcher in greenhouse horticulture with a focus on sustainable transitions

Researcher in Greenhouse Horticulture at Wageningen Social & Economic Research, contributing to a future-proof sector with sustainable production and viable business operations

The Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector produces for an international market within the framework of local, national, and EU regulations. Sustainable production and viable business operations are key to ensuring the sector's long-term future. Market-oriented production and public support are the driving forces. Greenhouse horticulture businesses tackle these challenges through entrepreneurship, modern technologies, new concepts, and collaborations.

These developments continuously raise knowledge questions for horticulture companies, their partners, and governments. As a greenhouse horticulture researcher, you will work on these knowledge questions for various clients. Your colleagues, network, existing and new insights, and data will be your allies in this work.

In recent years, we have worked on projects that resulted in publications such as:

• Energiegebruik en CO2-emissie glastuinbouw in 2023 gestegen, maar niet tot niveaus van voor 2022 - WUR;
• Onderzoek naar de gevolgen van hoge energieprijzen in de glastuinbouw in de periode medio 2021 tot en met het eerste kwartaal van 2023;
• Action-Paper-Horticulture-Tomorrow-Energy.pdf en Actieplan Groen geteeld sierteeltproduct;
• Vier scenario’s schetsen klimaatneutraal energieverbruik Nederlandse glastuinbouw in 2040 - WUR.

Your Team
You will collaborate with experienced researchers who specialize in knowledge challenges within the greenhouse horticulture sector. Teamwork is essential in addressing social and economic issues such as sustainability, business perspective, and spatial development. Your work will primarily focus on issues related to the energy transition, though other themes also present relevant research questions for the greenhouse horticulture sector.

You will be part of the Performance Impact Agrosectors (PIA) department and a member of the Horticulture Sector Team, which connects colleagues with expertise in horticulture.

With your:

• Curiosity, you can put yourself in the shoes of greenhouse entrepreneurs, their partners, or government representatives to jointly identify the knowledge questions raised by ongoing developments. You can translate client needs into clear research questions and provide well-founded answers.
• Affinity with numbers, you can apply various quantitative research methods and data analysis to efficiently generate the right insights.
• Position within networks, you can effectively gather information and context; you maintain and expand your network for sustainable relationships.
• Collaboration, you contribute to better project results.
• Storytelling ability, you bring together numbers and context to create the insights needed.

You also have:

• A completed higher education degree (HBO or MSc), for example in Business Administration, Environmental Sciences, or Agricultural Economics, with solid knowledge of business processes in greenhouse horticulture and environmental aspects.
• Experience with quantitative research methods and data analysis.
• A good understanding of the political and administrative landscape and the complex dynamics within and around the greenhouse horticulture sector (including entrepreneurs, their partners, and governments).
• An engaged personality who enjoys working in teams, is client- and results-oriented, and has strong reporting and presentation skills.
• Excellent communication skills in both Dutch and English, written and spoken.

In short, you are curious, entrepreneurial, and driven to engage with clients about how greenhouse horticulture can contribute to sustainability goals. You have a demonstrable network in the horticulture sector and see ample challenges that you also view as development opportunities. Even if you already have solid work experience and are looking to further expand your expertise, we invite you to apply.

Where You’ll Work
At Wageningen Social & Economic Research (WSER), Performance Impact Agrosectors (PIA).

WSER is an applied research institute specializing in understanding the complexity of food systems and transition thinking. We develop innovative methods for data collection and analysis, enabling us to closely monitor sectors and trends. Using advanced economic models, we develop and analyze scenarios that support informed decision-making. Our work also focuses on designing new systems, governance structures, and incentives to promote sustainable change.

We turn insights into action by supporting capacity building and knowledge co-creation, and developing practical tools and solutions for system transformation and innovation. Through this integrated approach, we help policymakers and food system stakeholders develop sustainable, inclusive, and fair food systems.

Your preferred work location is our office in The Hague.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent employment conditions. Highlights from our collective labour agreement (CAO) include:

• Flexible working hours in consultation, enabling optimal work-life balance
• Sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave
• Strong focus on vitality, with access to on-campus sports facilities at an attractive rate
• A year-end bonus of 8.3%
• An excellent pension scheme through ABP

Alongside these benefits, we offer a competitive salary. Depending on your experience, your gross monthly salary will be between €3,399 and €6,228 for a full-time position (36 hours per week), in accordance with CAO Wageningen Research, scale 10–11.

Initially, we offer a one-year contract, which – depending on organizational conditions and your performance – may be extended.

Wageningen University & Research provides ample opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training opportunities.

You’ll work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working atmosphere. For 20 consecutive years, we’ve been voted the best university in the Netherlands – a workplace to be proud of!

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.

For more information about this position, please contact:
Peter Ravensbergen, Sector Expert Horticulture
�� +31 6 2246 1324
�� peter.ravensbergen@wur.nl

Questions about the procedure?
Contact Jouke van Oostenbrugge, Corporate Recruiter
�� recruitment.ssg@wur.nl

How to Apply
Click the application button on the vacancy page on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply until Monday, December 1, 2025. Initial interviews will take place shortly after the closing date.

Selection Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be included.

Welcome, Safe, and Valued
At Wageningen University & Research (WUR), we value diversity and inclusion. We believe that different perspectives lead to innovative solutions. We strive to create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and valued – regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where every unique contribution adds to our organization’s success.