Would you like to contribute to addressing the societal challenges faced by Wageningen University & Research? Are you looking for a varied role with plenty of opportunities for professional development? And would you like to work in an enthusiastic team where you can apply your knowledge, experience, and independence? We offer a varied position within an expert and dedicated team. Are you seeking a substantive role with impact and responsibility? Then we’d love to hear from you!
Within the Corporate Legal team, you will have a wide and varied range of tasks and will work closely with colleagues from various disciplines on private law issues that directly contribute to the achievement of our organizational objectives. You will review and advise on contracts, contribute to policy development, serve as a legal advisor in legal disputes, and represent the organization in legal proceedings when necessary. In addition, you will handle insurance matters and play a key role in drafting contract templates.
What will you be doing as a Legal Counsel?
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you will advise various corporate staff departments, with a focus on private law. This covers a wide range of areas, including drafting or reviewing contracts and providing advice on corporate law. You will also draft powers of attorney and collaborate with fellow legal professionals on developing and updating contract templates, thereby contributing to the quality and consistency of legal services within WUR. In practice, this means you will collaborate with colleagues from, among others, the Co-creating Value & Impact staff department—for example, regarding investment funds and the development of spin-off policy—Education & Student Affairs in the area of Student Challenges, and Wageningen Academy regarding Lifelong Development;
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you are the primary point of contact within the organization for questions regarding insurance matters related to general liability and directors’ and officers’ liability, and you also manage the liability insurance and professional liability insurance;
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together with the in-house attorney, you will help handle civil disputes. You will contribute to the strategy and approach to legal disputes. When a case requires it, you will take the lead in exploring alternative solutions and conducting civil proceedings;
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you contribute to the development and updating of legal templates for various types of contracts in collaboration with fellow legal professionals;
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finally, there is room within the team to engage with a variety of legal issues, which are assigned within the team based (in part) on interest, personal development, and temporary needs, such as corporate governance, structuring a new strategic partnership or Open Government Act (Woo) requests.
In short, a versatile legal role in which you, as an all-around corporate lawyer, can fully utilize your expertise and creativity!
The Corporate Governance & Legal Services (CG&LS) department consists of twenty staff members, including a team of seven lawyers and a Woo-coordinator. The CG&LS department’s scope of work is broad, covering areas such as governance, academic integrity, employee participation, education law, and disputes. The legal team helps shape WUR-wide policies in areas such as knowledge security, copyright, and knowledge commercialization. In addition, the legal staff serve as advisors to the Executive Board, corporate staff directors, and other WUR organisational units, such as the Facilities Department and the Library.
Wageningen University & Research is an entrepreneurial organization. For this legal team, that means there are always new challenges and opportunities for growth. The CG&LS team is your home base. Here, you’ll discuss legal matters with the other lawyers and tasks will be divided among the team.
You will collaborate extensively with staff from other departments within Wageningen University & Research. This takes place in multidisciplinary teams. For you, this means working with colleagues from the corporate staff departments, project leaders, and the legal professionals from WUR’s sciences groups.
We are looking for a pragmatic lawyer who is a go-getter and wants to work with us to address WUR’s complex legal issues. Someone who enjoys collaborating and thinks in terms of solutions. You possess the following qualities:
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you have completed a university degree in Dutch law and, in light of your role in legal disputes, you have also completed your legal internship at a law firm including the two-year Professional Training Program for Lawyers;
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you have knowledge of and at least five years of experience in private law, with an emphasis on contract law and corporate law;
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you have a proactive and service-oriented work ethic and are able to formulate practical and clear advice. You thrive in dynamic environments and can maintain a clear overview;
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you are fluent in both Dutch and English, both spoken and written.
Because communication in English is becoming increasingly common in our international work environment, the required language level is set for each position. For this position, the language level is C1. If you do not yet have this level, we will of course assist you, and you can contact our language center, Wageningen in’to Languages.
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
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working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
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sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
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there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
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a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
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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 € 4,741.- and € 7,068.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 12). A preliminary scale may apply.
Initially, we offer a one-year contract with the intention of converting it into a permanent contract. We are, of course, happy to discuss any questions you may have about this.
We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.
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.
For more information about the position, please contact Claire van Gemert, head corporate legal via phone: +31 317 – 482380 or via email: [email protected].
Questions about the procedure? Please contact Edvard Jongschaap, Senior Corporate Recruiter, via phone: +31 317 – 489 178 or via email: [email protected].
Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
You can apply up to and including Monday July 20, 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before June 28, 2026.
Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.
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.
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.
