Make an impact on sustainable agriculture!
Are you an ambitious scientist with expertise in biological control and crop protection? Do you enjoy leading research projects and collaborating with partners across science, industry, and government? Then this position could be the perfect next step in your career.
As a Biological Control Scientist in Wageningen, you will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for managing diseases and pests in agriculture and horticulture through the use of micro-organisms. You will play a key role in initiating, coordinating, and conducting applied research projects together with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
In this position, you will have a high degree of independence and responsibility. You will take over running projects, identify new research opportunities and initiate/acquire new projects, lead and manage ongoing research projects, contribute to knowledge development and sharing, and work closely with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. Your work will focus on advancing biological crop protection strategies and translating scientific insights into practical applications for sustainable food production.
You will be based in Wageningen and collaborate with experts from related fields such as (meta)genomics, soil health, microbiome, phytopathology, bacteriology, nematology, entomology and diagnostics.
Your duties and responsibilities include:
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acquiring, coordinating, leading, and conducting research projects on biological control within multidisciplinary teams;
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Reporting research outcomes through reports, scientific publications, trade articles, presentations, newsletters, and online communication channels;
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supervising project staff, interns, and students;
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building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and translating their questions into relevant and feasible research projects;
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translating research findings into practical recommendations and applications for clients and other stakeholders.
Your team
You will join Wageningen Plant Research, part of Wageningen University & Research. Within the business unit Biointeractions & Plant Health, you will work together with colleagues who are dedicated to developing innovative and sustainable solutions for diseases and pests in agriculture and horticulture.
While current crop protection agents reduce yield losses, they often may have a negative impact on people and the environment. Bio-interactions & Plant Health develops solutions such as biological crop protection and resilient cropping systems, offering opportunities for sustainable food production worldwide. The interaction between plants and diseases & pests is the focal point of our research.
We study the interactions between plants and harmful or beneficial organisms, including insects, fungi, viruses, and bacteria, both above and below ground. In addition, we develop advanced diagnostic methods to detect harmful organisms throughout the production chain.
The Biointeractions & Plant Health team is based in Wageningen and works closely with national and international partners from science, industry, and government.
You are an ambitious, enthusiastic and proactive researcher with a background in plant pathology and a strong interest in sustainable crop protection. You enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams, coordinating projects, and building collaborations with clients and research partners. You are proactive, well-organised, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
You are also capable of translating scientific knowledge into practical applications and communicating research results to both scientific and non-scientific audiences. In addition, you enjoy identifying new research opportunities and developing and acquiring project proposals for national and international funding programs or clients.
You communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. Knowledge of the Dutch language is highly desirable. If you do not already speak Dutch, you are willing to learn it.
You also possess:
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a university degree in plant pathology, agriculture, horticulture, or a related field; a PhD is considered an advantage;
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experience with and/or affinity for:
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biological control;
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crop protection;
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phytopathology;
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microbiology;
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knowledge valorisation;
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molecular diagnostics;
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statistics;
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acquisition;
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project management skills;
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excellent communication and networking skills;
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a collaborative and client-oriented mindset.
In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position, a C1 level of language proficiency is required. If you do not yet have this level, we will of course support you, and you can make use of our Language Centre, Wageningen in’to Language.
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 € 3399.- and € 7068.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10-12). Additionally, for this role 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.
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 Willem Jan de Kogel, via email: [email protected].
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, Corporate Recruiter, 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 September 14, 2026.
We review applications on a rolling basis, including before the closing date. As a result, the vacancy may close earlier than indicated.
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.
