Are you a young professional with a passion for regional transitions and spatial planning?
We are looking for a junior researcher who is versatile and has a relevant social science and/or socio-spatial background. Are you interested in issues related to governance, policy, and society, and do you want to contribute to solutions for complex challenges such as climate adaptation and sustainable land use? Then we warmly invite you to apply.
As a junior researcher within the Regional Development and Spatial Planning team, you will work on spatial, societal, and policy-related issues to enable various regional transitions. These transitions are accompanied by complex spatial and social challenges.
You have have an interest in governance, policy, and integrated regional processes and a degree in -for example- geography, landscape architecture, land-use planning, public administration, or a combination of natural sciences and social sciences (Bachelor’s/Master’s). A fresh, integrative perspective is something that you will bring in. With your knowledge and commitment, you are able to contribute to solutions and pathways for both the short and long term.
We are looking for a flexible, hands-on colleague with affinity, sufficient knowledge, and some experience in applied and/or academic research. You have strong communication and creative skills, and preferably experience with visualization and facilitation, for example using (online) tools such as Miro. You have a good command of both Dutch and English.
You will be part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers dedicated to support regions, cities, and rural areas in regional transitions, with a focus on climate adaptation, agriculture, circular economy, and a healthy living environment. Together with partners, we develop new knowledge, insights, and innovative methods to make these changes possible. You will work in teams on a transformative and systemic approach, playing an active role in connecting and translating physical-spatial and socio-economic issues into practical solutions and methods.
Within the team, you will work on both Dutch and European research projects. These range from projects within the EU Mission on Climate Change Adaptation to policy-supporting research in for instance the agricultural and energy transition. The work is diverse and directly contributes to mission-driven innovation and policy.
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You have a completed academic degree in geography, landscape architecture, land-use planning, public administration, or a combination of natural and social sciences (Bachelor’s/Master’s), with a focus on spatial and policy processes;
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Knowledge of one or more of the following areas is a plus: climate adaptation, regional development, integrated area-based processes, spatial planning, and/or spatial transition processes;
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You are analytically strong, precise in your work, and focused on delivering quality;
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You are curious, eager to learn, and have a hands-on mentality;
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You have strong writing skills and excellent communication and creative abilities. Preferably, you have experience with visualization and facilitation. You enjoy working in a team but can also work independently;
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You have excellent verbal and written communication skills in both Dutch and English.
We see plenty of challenges for you within this role. These challenges can also be viewed as development opportunities. If you do not yet have the track record requested in the vacancy but do have solid work experience, we would still like to encourage 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 €3.399,- and €5.478,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10). Additionally, For this role a contract for 32 - 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 Bertram de Rooij, Teamlead Regional Development and Spatial Use, [email protected], or Remco Kranendonk, Senior Researcher, [email protected]
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 13 July 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 22 June 2026. We hope to plan the interviews as soon as possible after the closing date; the following dates have been provisionally scheduled: July 17 and 21.
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.
