Specialist in Applied Research - Dairy Farming and Circular Systems

article_published_on_label
February 28, 2025
Location
Hengelo
End date
Sun 30 March 2025
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Your job

You will contribute as a specialist in applied research to the development of innovative practical solutions for the agricultural sector in the fields of circular, nature-inclusive, and precision farming, as well as climate and livestock farming. Additionally, within the Agro-Innovation Centre De Marke team, you will be responsible for knowledge transfer.

Your tasks and responsibilities as a specialist in applied research include:

• Acting as a liaison for farmers, education, research, businesses, and government. This includes facilitating in-depth study groups with farmers and organising knowledge-sharing events with businesses and government stakeholders.
• Bridging practice and research. You will translate practical challenges into research questions and develop project proposals. Conversely, you will also translate scientific reports into useful knowledge for practical applications.
• Engaging in project-related activities, such as drafting project plans, developing knowledge together with practitioners, and conducting data analysis for knowledge transfer. This is done in collaboration with regional partners (including VK-Oost), businesses, government bodies, colleagues at Wageningen Livestock Research, and researchers from other disciplines within and beyond WUR.

In this role, you will have a high degree of responsibility and autonomy, while also working closely with colleagues and project partners. You will be encouraged to think beyond the boundaries of your own discipline.

Your team consists of a small and highly committed group of around eight colleagues at the Agro-Innovation Centre De Marke in Hengelo, Gelderland. In close collaboration with researchers from Wageningen University & Research and a broad network of partners, you will set up and implement projects while ensuring effective knowledge transfer.

Agro-Innovation Centre De Marke is the dairy research farm of Wageningen University & Research, located in Hengelo (Gld). Originally established as a project farm for system research, De Marke is evolving into a regional agro-innovation centre, focusing on innovations and addressing current knowledge questions in circular, nature-inclusive, and precision farming, as well as climate-related challenges. The knowledge developed here is of great importance for the Achterhoek region and, more broadly, for dairy farming and agriculture on sandy soils. We develop and share knowledge with farmers (including through the association Vruchtbare Kringloop Oost), policymakers, businesses, the education sector, and the region as a whole.

Your qualities

You are a professional with excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, who listens attentively, analyses effectively, and asks the right questions. You serve as a bridge between research and practice, with experience working in a project-based organisation or as a researcher or project leader. You have a strong focus on quality and results, are well-organised, and thrive as a team player who collaborates enthusiastically to achieve shared goals.

You also possess:

• Experience as a researcher (at HBO or university level) with a practical mindset.
• Experience in knowledge transfer, both verbally and in writing, with extensive proficiency in using digital media.
• Strong networking skills, enabling you to translate practical questions or project ideas into concrete project proposals.
• Subject-matter expertise in dairy farming.
• A hands-on interest in and commitment to the goals and work of our agro-innovation centre.
• A good command of both Dutch and English.

We offer you

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 December 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 €3.316,- and €6.008,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 9-11). Additionally, 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 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.

Coming from abroad

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 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.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Fleur Brinke, manager Agro-innovatiecentrum De Marke,
fleur.brinke@wur.nl
0639187128
For more information about the procedure, please contact Dax Teunissen, corporate recruiter, recruitment.asg@wur.nl

Do you want to apply?

You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including March 30, 2025.

Procedure

As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure

Welcome, safe, and valued

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

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.
Apply

The full description of the vacancies in Dutch can be found on the

Dutch vacancy page
.

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