Would you like to work as a Senior HR Business Partner in a scientific environment where your work indirectly contributes to a better world? At Wageningen University & Research (WUR), you will support professionals working in research and highly specialised education with societal impact. As an internationally leading and sustainable university in its field, WUR works on solutions to global challenges in food, health, climate, and the living environment. For the HR team of the Plant Sciences Group, we are looking for an experienced Senior HR Business Partner.
In this role, you will contribute to the development of teams, leadership, and the organisation as a whole. You will actively contribute to the development of integrated HR policy and advise education and research groups on its implementation. As a strategic partner, you will build sustainable relationships with managers and directors and help further develop the organisation. You will work closely with specialists from the HR Centre of Expertise in the areas of Recruitment, Vitality & Health, and Learning & Development.
Your responsibilities as Senior HR Business Partner:
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acting as a sparring partner and advisor to managers and directors on organisational development, leadership, and individual and team-related cases;
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actively contributing to the development and implementation of strategic workforce plans and organisational issues;
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initiating, guiding, and implementing organisational and change processes that contribute to the further development of PSG;
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co-developing the HR agenda and taking responsibility for the successful implementation of HR policy;
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playing a leading role in strategic HR themes such as leadership, social safety, organisational development, cultural change, and talent development;
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participating in various HR domains and acting as domain owner or project leader within one of the five HR domains: Talent Attraction, People Growth, People Services, Organisational Development, and Culture;
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connecting HR policy, organisational objectives, and practice, and identifying opportunities for further professionalisation of the organisation and its services.
Your team
You will work directly with our committed HR team PSG, which consists of approximately 15 colleagues. As a team, we aim to create a culture where collegiality, authenticity, and collaboration are key pillars. An informal way of working together and a sense of humour are highly valued. Together, we strive to build an open and transparent culture. As a team, we value a shared commitment and a willingness to contribute to the further professionalisation of our services.
You are innovative and curious, which enables you to stay up to date with new developments. We expect you to provide data-driven advice and proactively come forward with solutions. With your strong advisory skills, courage, empathy, organisational sensitivity, and persuasive power, you are able to build support and initiate (organisational) change.
You also have:
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higher professional education (HBO) or university-level (WO) working and thinking ability;
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extensive experience as an HR Business Partner or HR Advisor;
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experience in a complex project organisation is an advantage;
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good command of both Dutch and English.
In our international working environment, English is increasingly used as the main language of communication. For this role, the requires language level is B2.
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 € 6,228.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11). For this role we offer a contract for 28 hours. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended.
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 Erica Steen, Head of HR, 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 August 17, 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before Monday July 23, 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.
