Would you like to contribute to sustainable aquaculture and fisheries through innovative physiological and neurophysiological research?
In this role, you will work on research that has a direct impact on the welfare of farmed and wild-caught fish and shellfish, as well as on sustainable nutrition in aquaculture. You will apply your expertise in physiology and neurophysiology, working with EEG recordings and physiological measurements to gain a better understanding of animal welfare and nutrition.
You will collaborate in international project teams with universities, research institutes and companies from around the world. You will also conduct experiments and research abroad and actively build an international network in the aquaculture and fisheries sector. Working with professionals from different countries and disciplines will expose you to a wide range of working methods and cultures. This international dynamic not only enriches the research itself, but also makes a significant contribution to your development as a professional and researcher.
Your duties and responsibilities as a researcher will include:
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Developing research proposals and project plans in collaboration with stakeholders.
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Designing and conducting experiments, collecting and analysing data, and formulating conclusions and recommendations.
- Leading a project team and supervising the practical implementation of projects.
- Writing scientific reports and publications.
- Presenting results to clients and other stakeholders and/or at national and international conferences.
Your team
You will join the Animal Welfare and Health team, one of the five research departments within Wageningen Livestock Research. Together with around 45 dedicated project leaders, researchers, research assistants and PhD candidates, you will work on innovative solutions for the livestock farming systems of the future.
You will primarily work in the Animal Welfare and Health team, while also being involved in the Animal Nutrition team. Due to the close interconnection between nutrition, health and welfare, collaboration between these teams plays an important role in this position. We therefore actively encourage strengthening the connection between both teams, enabling knowledge, expertise and innovative research methods to complement each other effectively.
Our expertise covers animal welfare, animal behaviour, animal health and resilience. One central goal underpins all our work: contributing to sustainable, animal-friendly and economically viable aquaculture and livestock farming. We combine in-depth specialist knowledge with innovative technologies such as sensor technology, big data analysis, AI and microbiomics. Many projects are multidisciplinary in nature, meaning you will work closely with colleagues from different fields and contribute to addressing current societal challenges.
You are a results-oriented and enthusiastic researcher or project leader with a particular interest in animal welfare and sustainable livestock farming and aquaculture. You possess the skills required to solve scientific problems in collaboration with colleagues and relevant stakeholders. You are proactive, solution-focused, aware of your surroundings and enjoy purposeful collaboration.
You have:
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Knowledge of and experience with the experimental physiology of aquatic animals in relation to animal welfare and animal nutrition.
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Research experience in aquaculture.
- Experience in project management and a proven scientific track record with relevant publications.
- An established professional network would be an advantage.
- A good command of both Dutch and English. If you have not yet fully mastered one of these languages, you can take a course through our training centre 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 €4.045,- and €7.068,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11 - 12). Additionally, For this role a contract for 32 to 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.
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 Communitypage 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 Petra Kock, head of department AHW, [email protected], 0629037672
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 12 Juli 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 13 June 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.
