For the team Water & Food at Wageningen Environmental Research we are looking for an enthusiastic, committed and highly experienced Senior Expert Water & Food who will also function as a topic leader Water-Food-Energy Nexus within the Sustainable Water Management program of WENR and who will build propositions for applied research in the international domain of water and food.
As a senior Water & Food Expert your main tasks will be to:

• Support the development of competitive advantages and propositions to the international market;
• Acquire large multi-annual strategic projects;
• Foster effective links with climate and agronomic (eg. crop growth) research;
• Lead complex and multi-disciplinary research projects;
• Translate research findings into high-level policy recommendations;
• Maintain and broaden the team's networks within and outside Wageningen University & Research;
• Represent the team in relevant fora and media.

The ideal candidate has/is:

• A university degree (MSc) in environmental sciences such as water management, irrigation, agronomy, hydrology, land use planning or relevant topics with international experience, a PhD is a pre;
• A highly experienced researcher with at least 15 years relevant working experience, of which at least 10 years internationally, in the above mentioned fields;
• Experience in the MENA-region, Africa and/or Asia;
• Proven major contribution to the acquisition of at least 3 international projects of more than 1 million EUR/USD on relevant topics;
• Experience in) working with Dutch Embassies and Dutch Ministries;
• Able to translate societal and business needs into projects and consortia;
• Excellent analytical capabilities with a proven track-record on scenario development and model/GIS-applications;
• Proven ability to build cohesive research groups over the various disciplines;
• Excellent international network and networking skills;
• Excellent communications skills. Can present (scientific) knowledge in accessible language for various stakeholders, including policy makers;
• Excellent writing and speaking skills in English and preferably other languages. Dutch is a pre.

We offer a full-time position (32-36 hours). Salary depends on skills and experience. The position is initially for 4 years after which a go/no-go decision will be taken for a permanent position. The CAO of Wageningen Research is applicable.
We offer excellent secondary terms of employment, for example a structural -end-of- year bonus and flexibility in many respects.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That is our focus - each and every day. Within our domain of good and safe food & food production, food security and a healthy living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society - such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we do not do this alone. Every day, 5,000 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale.

Could you be one of these people? We provide you the space/ environment you need to excel.

Team Water & Food
The Water & Food team carries out applied research, develops innovations and strategies to face challenges of water- and food security and the effects of climate change. We combine and develop knowledge ranging from farm to global level and link social, technical and technological sciences. We offer core expertise and solutions to assist governments, business and non-governmental organisations in applying viable and sustainable solutions related to water management, food production and ecosystem services. Our focus is the international market, we carry out projects in South-America, Africa, Asia and Europe.