Are you a researcher in the field of biochemical analysis of metabolites and modified food components during human digestion and fermentation? Are you passionate about innovating in vitro model systems for research into the effect of food on human health? Then the vacancy for researcher nutritional biochemistry might be for you!

What are you going to do:

• you contribute to the acquisition of new projects by, among other things, writing project proposals and your knowledge of developments in the field;
• you contribute to the execution of projects in the role of project leader, you lead multidisciplinary teams of researchers where you keep an overview and maintain communication with the customer;
• you are the expert in the field of (analysis of) biochemical processes during digestion and fermentation of food in humans and in that capacity you analyze and interpret research data, whether or not in collaboration with statisticians and data experts;
• you are able to make connections with other parts of WUR with specific biochemical expertise, equipment and skills to collaborate as efficiently as possible;
• you disseminate the research results in reports, scientific publications, and at conferences;
• you stay abreast of scientific and technological developments in your professional field and, together with colleagues and partners, you translate these into solutions that meet the needs in the market.

As a researcher in nutritional biochemistry you are an enthusiastic and proactive researcher who contributes to innovative, applied research in our Food, Health and Consumer Research group. You are part of the 'Nutrition Quality & Health' expertise team that conducts preclinical research to

1. develop healthy, safe food ingredients and products,
2. understand gastrointestinal biological mechanisms so that effects on human health can be predicted and
3. support regulatory approval for safe, novel foods and nutrition and health claims.

An example of a research project is studying the digestibility and bioavailability of new protein sources. Another example is research into how food and ingredients, via gut microbiota, influence human health, for example through the development of specific metabolites. There is collaboration with adjacent lines of research in, for example, intestinal health, immunology and human-related research. In addition, the ecosystem of WUR, the Wageningen Campus and beyond offers numerous opportunities for collaboration in the field of innovative developments and solutions. We therefore ask for a team spirit, a focus on collaboration and a proactive attitude in bringing partners together.

• you have a PhD and several years of work experience with a background in biochemistry, microbiology (with a focus on metabolite analysis / metabolomics), nutrition or health and you have an affinity with the agri-food sector;
• you preferably have experience with applied research in a contract research organization or in the business world;
• you have broad experience with analytical technologies to measure nutrients and (by)products of digestion and fermentation (think of soluble and non-soluble fibres, lipids, carbohydrates, etc. with HPLC, UPLC, LC-MS/MS), interpret data and translate research questions into an experimental approach;
• you preferably have experience with in vitro model systems for digestion and fermentation, such as the INFOGEST digestion model, SHIME and/or TIM model;
• you have strong oral and written expression in both Dutch and English;
• affinity with data analysis is a plus.

In addition, you are an enthusiastic, independent researcher with good communication skills who functions well in a dynamic project organization. You enjoy working with others to achieve success. You have problem-solving skills, you are quality-oriented and you have an eye for developments in the market.

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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December bonus of 4%;
• 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 €2949,- and €4807,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10).
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the "Best University" in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.
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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 7.200 employees and 13.200 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen's unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video 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.