Senior Nematologist

Are you a researcher with a strong background in plant sciences, ecology, or a related field and a passion for nematology? Is this passion leading to management and control of plant-parasitic nematodes, including free living nematodes as bioindicators for crop and soil health? Are you interested in applying your expertise to advance sustainable crop and soil health solutions for field crops, horticulture, nature, and urban green spaces? Are you keen to lead multidisciplinary projects, collaborate with national and international partners, and translate scientific knowledge into practical impact?

Be aware that fluency in Dutch is essential, as it is the primary language used when communicating with farmers, industry partners, and local stakeholders

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Acquire and write proposals for national and EU funding and contribute to fundraising strategies.
• Network with industry, agronomists, policy makers and research organisations to build consortia and knowledge exchange.
• Coordinate and supervise research activities together with nematology colleagues, the nematology laboratory and experimental farms.
• Design and coordinate nematological experiments and field trials; ensure high-quality data collection and reporting.
• Develop and communicate a clear innovative strategic vision for nematology, crop protection and plant & soil health.
• Promote the research group’s visibility nationally and internationally through publications, presentations, stakeholder outreach and policy support.

Your team
You will be part of the Crop Health teamof WUR Field Crops of which the section nematology (4 scientists) is a sub-group. We are equipped with a modern Nematology lab with 5 specialized supporting staff. Your main working location will be in Lelystad. Within the Crop Health team we develop sustainable crop-protection solutions for arable farming and open-field vegetable production within the framework of Integrated Crop management (ICM).

Our approach combines

• Early-warning and monitoring tools, cultural measures, biological control and targeted, prudent use of chemistry.
• Integrating these building blocks into existing and novel cropping systems.
• Delivering practical solutions for fungal diseases, nematodes, insect pests, slugs and weeds
• Contribution to strengthening the capacity of farm advisors and farmers, for example through ICM field days.

Our nematology section has operationalised this approach within ICM by developing a system of Integrated Nematode Management (INM).

You will work here
You will work within Wageningen Plant Research (WPR), specifically within the Unit Field Crops. You will collaborate closely with nematology colleagues from WPR — including Agrosystems Research, Biointeractions & Plant Health and other parts of WUR like the Laboratory of Nematology at Wageningen University — as well as with external knowledge institutes, companies and national and international government partners.

Field Crops develops practical, science-based strategies for cultivation technology, soil health and crop protection for arable farmers, vegetable growers, suppliers and traders, government bodies and NGOs. The unit employs about 150 people and conducts research at the central site in Lelystad, at regional research stations in Vredepeel, Wijnandsrade, Valthermond, Marwijksoord and Westmaas, and on private farms across the Netherlands.

Field Crops contributes to a broad portfolio of innovations across arable, fruit tree and open-field vegetable systems with an emphasis on holistic sustainability, where crop health is central.

You are creative, proactive and team-oriented. You see interdisciplinary opportunities and can motivate and unite colleagues and partners to deliver impact. You combine scientific soundness with a practical, solution-focused mindset and bring energy to outreach and collaboration.
You also possess:

• An MSc or PhD in Nematology, Plant Sciences, Ecology or a closely related discipline with demonstrated interest in nematology.
• Proven experience with nematological experiments, data analysis and scientific reporting.
• Experience or clear affinity with soil and plant health issues in the Netherlands and Europe.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to engage diverse audiences (farmers, industry, scientist and policy makers).
• Demonstrated networking skills and initiative in developing new projects and collaborations.
• Willingness and ability to become proficient in Dutch within two years.

If you do not yet meet every requirement but have relevant, solid work experience and clear potential, we encourage 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;
• 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 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 €4.405 and €7.068 for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11, 12). Additionally, For this role a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances and on good performance. We offer you a temporary contract for the duration of one year. 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.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

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.

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.