Would you like to work as an HR Business Partner in an academic environment where your work indirectly contributes to a better world? At Wageningen University & Research (WUR), you will support professionals engaged in research and highly specialised education with a societal impact. As a leading international and sustainable university in its field, WUR works on solutions to global challenges relating to food, health, climate and the environment. We are looking for a new colleague to join the HR team of the Animal Sciences Group.
As an HR Business Partner, you will act as an adviser, sparring partner and process facilitator for managers across various chair groups and research groups (approximately 250 FTE). You will assist them with the implementation of HR policy, organisational development and personnel issues. With your keen insight and collaborative approach, you will support managers in tackling the challenges of today and tomorrow. In addition, you will work closely with specialists from the HR Centre of Expertise and contribute to WUR-wide HR initiatives.
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Acting as a sparring partner and adviser to managers on personnel issues, organisational development and strategic workforce planning;
- Making an active contribution to the development and implementation of HR policy and supporting change processes;
- Providing guidance on individual and team issues and coordinating the implementation of HR (annual) processes;
- Helping to shape the HR agenda on topics such as leadership development, social safety, cultural change and the Academic Career Framework;
- Representing the Animal Sciences Group in WUR-wide HR projects and collaborating with HR specialists to successfully implement policy;
- Identifying opportunities and bottlenecks within the organisation and translating these into appropriate HR solutions and recommendations.
You will join a dedicated HR team comprising five HR Business Partners and the Head of HR. Together with HR Services and specialists from the Centre of Expertise, you will form a team of thirteen colleagues based in IJmuiden, Lelystad and Wageningen. Your workplace will be on our green campus in Wageningen.
Collaboration is key. We work on current topics such as organisational development, leadership, labour market challenges, well-being and career development. In doing so, we support the people behind our research and teaching who contribute daily to a more sustainable future.
You are curious and proactive, which means you are well-informed about the latest developments and can proactively provide appropriate advice. Through your advisory skills, empathy, hands-on approach and persuasiveness, you are able to build support and drive change.
You also possess:
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A relevant completed higher professional education (HBO) qualification;
- Experience as an HR adviser/HR Business Partner;
- Demonstrable experience in advising managers on a variety of cases;
- Experience and an affinity with HR data, dashboards, analyses and process improvements;
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Experience in a complex organisation is an advantage;
- Excellent command of Dutch and English.
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 €3.399,- and €5.478,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10). For this role a contract for 28 - 36 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.
If you are an internal employee, your current contract is the starting point. Ask your HR Business Partner about your situation specifically. 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.
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.
For more information about the position, please contact Martine van der Velden, Manager HR ASG, email: [email protected] (On holiday from 11 – 25 July)
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, Corporate Recruiter, via [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 27 July 2026.
Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.
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.
