Material transfer specialist

Do you have experience in plant biotechnology and an affinity with legislation and regulations?
Do you enjoy advising researchers?
Then you may be the material transfer specialist we are looking for!

When exchanging biological research materials with other organisations, the Plant Sciences Group (PSG) has to deal with legislation relating to genetic resources (ABS/Nagoya), plant health (Plant Health Directive) and endangered species (CITES).

As a material transfer specialist, you support our researchers in obtaining biological materials correctly or sharing them with third parties. You do not do this alone, but together with your colleagues from the Arbo, Environment & Safety (AMV) team. During this process, you will also maintain contacts with external bodies such as the NVWA, NAK Horticulture, or ABS/Nagoya contact points in various countries.

In summary, your tasks and responsibilities as a material transfer specialist are:

• Advising researchers on the exchange of biological materials.
• Assessing whether material transfer applications comply with relevant legislation.
• Organising the required (transport) documentation to enable transfers.
• Being in direct contact with researchers and regulatory authorities.
• Providing information on the import, export and transport of biological materials, and contributing ideas on how to optimise the material transfer process.

Your team
Within our AMV team, you will have six permanent colleagues (senior safety specialists, biological safety officers, a quality manager, and coordinators for genetic resources and quarantine materials). We work closely together in a positive atmosphere. The team has strong relationships with management and other staff departments, research groups, the Works Council, and experts in the other WUR Sciences Groups. We operate in an inspiring scientific environment that presents a wide variety of (safety-related) challenges. This means you learn something new every day and continue to encounter new challenges.

We are looking for someone who can advise researchers in the areas described above, based on solid knowledge and expertise. To do this, you have completed an education in Life Sciences, such as biology or biotechnology. In addition, you have an affinity with legislation and regulations. Experience in plant biotechnology and ABS/Nagoya legislation is an advantage. However, if this is not the case but you bring other knowledge and skills that could make you suitable for this role, we would also be happy to speak with you. Together, we can explore your opportunities for further training and development.

You also have:

• At least HBO (higher professional education) level of working and thinking.
• A careful, independent and trustworthy attitude.
• A strong sense of responsibility for handling applications correctly and on time.
• Strong communication skills.
• And you are clearly a team player.

In our international working environment, English is increasingly used. For this position, language level B2 is required. If you do not yet have this level, we will of course support you, and you can attend courses at our language centre Wageningen in’to Language

You will see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be viewed as development opportunities. Therefore, if you do not yet have the track record requested in the vacancy, but do have solid professional experience, we would still very much like to invite you to apply.

Where you will work
The AMV team is one of the staff departments within PSG and is responsible for policy development and compliance with regulations relating to health, (biological) safety and the environment. Its aim is to minimise risks, accidents and environmental impact, while ensuring a healthy working environment for everyone.

WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant”.

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 € 5,478.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10). We offer you a temporary contract for the duration of one year. 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.

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.