Events and initiatives co-ordinator

Are you a proactive and enthusiastic colleague who enjoys organizing academic conferences and workshops, and planning innovative events for networking and growing knowledge? Do you have knowledge about the key ethical issues raised by modern technologies, and how to think critically about these issues? Do you get energized by multitasking and taking care of everything down to the last detail? Then we're looking for you!

Who are we?
The 4TU.Centre for Ethics and Technology is a collaboration between four Dutch technical universities including Wageningen University & Research (WUR) which currently hosts the administrative office for the centre (through the end of 2026) including a coordinator with whom you will work closely. It is a community of researchers that aims to stimulate and perform research in the field of ethics and technology, address societal challenges in the context of a globalized and inter-connected world, and advance understanding of ethical issues in engineering and technology development. Among other activities, 4TU.Ethics regularly organizes academic events such as workshops, conferences, courses, and seminars.This position is based in the Philosophy (PHI) group which is led by Prof. Rachel A. Ankeny, and who also serves as the Scientific Director of the 4TU.Ethics Centre.

Your duties as an Events and Initiatives Coordinator for the 4TU.Centre for Ethics and Technology will include providing high-level administrative support with tasks including:

• overseeing planning for a major research conference and managing all local arrangements, communications, budget, and coordination of the scientific committee and its activities;
• organization of additional meetings, workshops, and outward-facing events associated with the 4TU.Ethics in alignment with new strategic initiatives; and
• management of reimbursements and other financial matters relating to the 4TU.Ethics.

Who are you?
You are a friendly and open professional who enjoys supporting your colleagues, and who has background in issues related to the ethics of contemporary technologies that are fundamental to the 4TU.Ethics Centre. You enjoy working in a team and have a positive attitude that allows you to ensure that shared goals are achieved even in the face of difficulties. You are well-organized, flexible, and know how to set the right priorities. You have an affinity for careful attention to administrative processes. With your meticulous approach, you ensure that organizational tasks are carried out efficiently and can work independently once you are familiar with tasks. You have excellent oral and written communication skills in both Dutch and English, enabling you to communicate effectively with colleagues and students from a variety of backgrounds. You have experience with standard software programs used within WUR and are willing to master new systems where required.

• Qualifications: Preferable advanced studies in a field related to the 4TU.Ethics Centre’s mandate.
• Experience with higher-level organizational tasks in a collaborative academic research centre.
• Awareness of the world outside of academia, including abilities to identify opportunities for outward-facing engagement.
• Resilience under stress and strong social skills.
• Excellent communication skills in both spoken and written Dutch and English level (B1).
• Experience with MS Office and ability to quickly learn new systems.
• Knowledge of and experience with administrative business processes.

There are challenges in this position and lots of opportunities to make significant contributions in a relatively short time. We look forward to talking with you about this position!

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 € 3,546.- and € 5,538.- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). Additionally, a contract for 0,6 FTE can be discussed. We offer you a temporary contract for the duration of 10 months. 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.

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 Communitypage 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.