Are you customer-oriented, technical, communicative, and have an affinity with environmental laboratories? Do you want a unique job where you combine logistics and lab work? Then we’re looking for you!
As a Technical research assistant within ESG’s Proficiency Testing Team, you will work in a small team that organizes proficiency testing for soil, water, plants, and animal materials, among others, produces test materials and supplies reference materials to support quality assurance in laboratories worldwide.
In this role, you will work closely with the coordinators of the WEPAL and QUASIMEME programs, ensure that test materials are dispatched to laboratories worldwide, assist with the acquisition and preparation of aquatic and terrestrial samples, and with the maintenance of the sample preparation equipment. You will be the first point of contact for our customers regarding sample shipments and the sale of reference materials.
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shipping samples and reference materials to laboratories worldwide, including coordinating all logistics, and preparing all necessary documents;
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maintaining contact with customers regarding orders and shipments;
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monitoring stock of samples, raw materials, sample materials and consumables;
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maintaining the sample preparation equipment;
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(help/assist) preparing various (terrestrial and aquatic) samples.
The Proficiency Testing Team is a team of 10 enthusiastic staff members who have been organizing laboratory proficiency testing for over 70 years. We have been ISO 17043 accredited for this purpose since 2000. We are known for our quality and customer-friendliness.
The Proficiency Testing Team is one of the 14 ESG teams at Stichting Wageningen Research, based on the Wageningen University and Research Campus, in building 112 NERGENA.
In this role, you will combine logistics and communication skills with environmental laboratory expertise.
You are:
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able to work independently and as part of a team;
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communicative and customer-friendly;
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committed and flexible;
You also possess:
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a completed MLO qualification (environmental technology, agricultural or chemical is a plus)
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laboratory experience (environmental and/or chemical laboratory experience is a plus)
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fluent in Dutch and English, both spoken and written, at least C1 level
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knowledge of, and experience with, working within a quality management system (ISO 17025 and/or ISO 17043 is a plus)
As you can see, there are plenty of challenges ahead for you. These challenges can also be seen as opportunities for development. So, even if you do not yet have the track record specified in the vacancy but do have solid work experience, we would still like to invite you to apply.
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 €2.979,- and €3.893,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 7). 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.
For more information about the position, please contact Laura Buijse, Teamlead, [email protected]; +31 (0) 317 480102
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jouke van Oostenbrugge, 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 24 August 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 2 August 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.
