Researcher Animal Breeding and Genomics

Are you the enthusiastic researcher with a background in cryoconservation of genetic material? Do you want to pioneer innovative cryotechnologies that safeguard the genetic diversity of livestock and fish to preserve biodiversity? Join our passionate team within Animal Breeding and Genomics at Wageningen Livestock Research!

Your focus will be in the field of cryoconservation and reproductive technologies for various livestock species, including fish. As a researcher in cryoconservation, you will work on developing and improving techniques to collect, process and store genetic material (sperm, embryos, egg cells, and ovarian tissue) from a wide range of farm animal species – from cattle and chicken to sheep, bees and aquatic species. Importantly, you will help to develop strategies for female cryoconservation. You will contribute to ongoing research activities, while also taking initiative to expand and strengthen our research portfolio. Close collaboration with colleagues, industry partners and research collaborators is key to ensure both scientific excellence and practical relevance.

Your duties and responsibilities as a researcher include:

• Conduct research on cryobiological principles and their application across livestock and aquatic species.
• Collaborate with laboratory research assistants to develop new technologies and protocols to store genetic material and to develop IVF protocols in the lab.
• Report and present research findings to scientific audiences and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the acquisition of new projects and research funding.
• Supervising a PhD student in the European Consortium CryoStore.

Your team
You will work at Animal Breeding and Genomics of Wageningen University & Research. We are a project orientated organization, with team work as a key competence. Therefore we expect you to have the skills required to work in these project teams, including stakeholders and partners. The group collaborates nationally and internationally with academic partners, industry, governments, and livestock farmers. Its research focuses on areas such as cryo-conservation of genetic material, big data analytics, breeding value estimation, phenotyping of novel traits in various species, and bioinformatics.

Employer
Wageningen Livestock Research (WLR) explores the role of animals in the food system; and strives to improve the quality of life for humans, animals and nature. We create science based solutions for a sustainable and profitable livestock and aquaculture sector. Together with our clients and partners, we integrate scientific knowledge and practical experience to develop livestock and aquaculture concepts for future generations. WLR carries out fundamental and applied research in the fields of animal production and food security, systems innovations, economy, ecosystem services, environment, grass & forage systems, aquaculture, animal nutrition, breeding & genomics and animal health & welfare.
Wageningen Animal Breeding and Genomics is a close collaboration between the University and WLR and has a research team with approximately 100 highly motivated project leaders, researchers, PhD students and analysts. We are known for our expertise on animal breeding, biological understanding of traits of cattle, swine, poultry and fish and sensor technology and big data analyses. We perform research in quantitative genetics, genomics, animal breeding programs and genetic diversity, across the major species. Most of our research challenges require a multidisciplinary approach.

You are result-oriented and decisive, with a clear focus on achieving goals. You take initiative, keep client needs in mind, and know how to bring parties together. By fostering collaboration and building strong networks, you create support and impact in complex projects. You thrive in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments, and enjoy working in diverse teams of scientists.

You also possess:

• A PhD and work experience in reproductive or cryobiology, genetics, animal biotechnology, genomics, or a related field.
• Understanding of animal reproductive biology, genetic resource management, genetics, genomics, and physiology of animals / fish.
• Experience with cryopreservation of gametes, embryos or tissues (ideally in livestock).
• Ability to work in a team of diverse scientists and multidisciplinary teams.
• Scientific track record with peer-reviewed publications.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills (English C2 level, Dutch is an advantage).
• Key competences: pro-active, collaborative, flexible, client- and result-oriented.

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 €3.399,- and €6.228,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10-11 ). 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 - 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.

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.

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.

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.