Research Support Specialist Cell & Organoid Culture

We have an open position for a Research Support Specialist – Cell & Organoid Culture in the Host-Microbe Interactomics Group (HMI), part of the Animal Sciences Group (ASG).

The group uses advanced cell and organoid models as a main experimental platform. These models are used to study host–microbe interactions, epithelial barrier function, and immune responses that are important for intestinal and mucosal health.

Your job
As an experienced Research Technician, you will play a key role in supporting and advancing research within the Host-Microbe Interactomics (HMI) Group at Wageningen University & Research. Your work will focus primarily on advanced mammalian cell culture and intestinal organoid models, which form a central experimental platform within the group.

The group uses advanced cell and organoid models as a main experimental platform. These models are used to study host–microbe interactions, epithelial barrier function, and immune responses that are important for intestinal and mucosal health.

You will work independently to maintain and optimise our cell and organoid cultures. You will also join discussions about experiments and help with different research projects together with PhD students, postdocs, and senior scientists.

In addition, you will help maintain the lab, ensure high quality and safety, and train new group members in the necessary techniques and ML-2 lab procedures.

This position is intended as a long-term role, contributing to the stability and quality of key experimental platforms within the group.

Your responsibilities

• Work independently on mammalian cell culture and 3D organoid experiments, including stem cell–derived models and monolayers.
• Help with ongoing research projects by using, troubleshooting, and documenting experimental techniques.
• Guide PhD, MSc, and postdoctoral researchers with hands-on technical support.
  Support the organization, safety, and smooth running of the lab together with the laboratory manager.
• Assist with preparing materials for BSc lab practical courses (about 25 days per year).

Essential experience

• Proven hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, including stem cells and/or 3D tissue organoids
• Experience working independently with complex in vitro culture systems, including maintenance, differentiation, and quality control

Experience that is an advantage

• Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy
• Flow cytometery
• Molecular techniques such as qPCR and ELISA

You also bring

• A completed BSc or MSc degree in Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Biotechnology, or a related life-science discipline
• Relevant laboratory experience, preferably in an academic or biomedical research environment
• A structured and accurate working style, with strong attention to quality, reproducibility, and laboratory safety
• Good communication skills and a collaborative attitude
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary research team
• This position involves working under ML-2 laboratory conditions. Candidates must either already be ML-2 certified or be willing and able to obtain ML-2 certification shortly after appointment.

Working environment
You will work primarily within the Host-Microbe Interactomics Group (HMI), part of the Animal Sciences Group (ASG), located in the Zodiac Building on the Wageningen campus. Some shared research facilities, such as confocal microscopy and cell sorting, are located in other laboratories on campus.

The HMI group uses advanced cell and organoid models to study host–microbe interactions, epithelial barrier function, and immune responses relevant to intestinal and mucosal health.

Language requirements
English is the primary working language in our international research environment.
For this position we require:

• English proficiency at B2 level or higher (spoken and written)
• Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage, but not required at appointment

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). Highlights include:

• Partially paid parental leave
• Flexible working hours to support work–life balance
• Access to campus sports facilities at a reduced rate
• A fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%
• An excellent pension scheme

Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between €3.382,- and €5.057,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 8 or 9).
You will initially receive a one-year contract, with the intention to extend and move towards a permanent position upon good performance and within organizational possibilities.

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.