Project Secretary Soil Geography and Landscape Group

As a project secretary (0.3–0.4 FTE), you support the project leader in monitoring the progress of research projects and contribute to the societal impact of these projects. You will work in an inspiring research environment in Wageningen and maintain contact with researchers and stakeholders from other institutes and organizations.

Please be aware: a good sufficiency in Dutch is mandatory for this position
You are responsible for providing organizational support for the project management of complex national research projects, in which we collaborate with other research institutes and (societal) partners. The research projects focus on climate-resilient soil and water systems in the Dutch landscape (CASTOR; NAT). The projects are funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), and the partners include research institutes, SMEs, NGOs, water boards, and provinces.

Your project support is aimed both internally (within the organization) and externally (towards the partners). Internally, this involves structuring and monitoring planning and project progress, with a focus on identifying pressing issues and keeping track of deadlines. Externally, it involves setting up and organizing meetings for the research team (with and without partners) and encouraging collaboration within the consortia. In addition, you are responsible for collecting input for progress reports for NWO. The projects you support are led by Jakob Wallinga.

You have at least a higher professional education (HBO) level of working and thinking, and preferably work experience in project support. You are proactive, accurate, flexible, and service-oriented. You have strong planning and organizational skills, and you focus on delivering quality without slipping into perfectionism. You have an interest in a sustainable future for the Dutch landscape. Furthermore, you are a strong communicator who senses when coordination is needed and when you can take initiative. Finally, you stand your ground and enjoy a challenge.

A good sufficiency in Dutch is mandatory for this position
You can see that plenty of challenges lie ahead for you. These challenges may also be seen as development opportunities. So, even if you do not yet have the full track record requested in the vacancy but do have solid work experience, we would still like to invite you to apply.

Where you will be working
The Soil Geography and Landscape Group (SGL) studies soil patterns and landscape dynamics. To gain insight into the past, present, and future of soil and landscape systems, the group focuses on both biophysical and anthropogenic processes. Through its research, SGL contributes to sustainable land use.

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;
• 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. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between €3.708,- and €5.213 for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 9). This is a position for around 2,5 years, for between 11 and 15 hours a week. 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.

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.