Your job
Are you a researcher with a passion for ecological modelling and scientific writing? Do you want to contribute to evidence-based environmental risk assessment of chemicals and stressors in support of biodiversity and sustainable agriculture? Do you enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams and translating complex data into impactful publications and policy-relevant insights?
Then this position at the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) team at Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) might be perfect for you.
We are looking for an Environmental Risk Scientist (32–36 hours/week) with strong modelling and writing skills. You will contribute to applied research projects, interpret results, and publish in peer-reviewed journals (in English and Dutch). You will also help develop new research lines and support acquisition efforts.
Your duties and responsibilities include:
- Contribute to ecological risk assessment projects using modelling and data analysis.
- Write high-quality scientific publications, reports, and proposals.
- Interpret experimental and modelling results in a policy-relevant context.
- Collaborate in a project team with experts in ecotoxicology, chemistry, ecology, and statistics.
- Present findings at national and international conferences.
- Support acquisition and development of new research lines.
Your team
ERA is a world-leading centre for environmental risk assessment of pesticides and emerging pollutants. We take pride in our highly qualified staff (~30 employees) and advanced laboratories, including outstanding outdoor test facilities Sinderhoeve (www.sinderhoeve.org). For our clients (government agencies, EU, NGOs, and industries) we develop models, support their use by third parties in the NL and EU pesticide authorization procedure and conduct experimental research, to predict the behaviour of contaminants in water, soil and air, and to determine their effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and focal organisms (e.g. bees and NTAs). Furthermore, we offer consultancy and training on sustainable pesticide management in upcoming economies.
Your qualities
You have a customer-oriented and collaborative mindset and a proactive, “getting things done” attitude with demonstrable ability to work on or manage multiple project simultaneously. Further, you are able to navigate diverse stakeholder interests within projects and deliver solutions that are not only scientifically sound but also practically relevant and tailored to client needs.
You also possess:
- MSc or PhD degree in computer science, mathematics, environmental sciences, geo-ecology, biology or other relevant field;
- 3-5 years of experience in ecological or environmental modelling (e.g., TKTD, agent-based, mechanistic).
- Strong scientific writing skills with a track record of publications
- Affinity with ecotoxicology and environmental risk assessment.
- Programming skills (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB, C++) and data visualization.
In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is at least C1 level of communication skills (writing and speaking) in English is required. Knowledge of the Dutch language, or willingness to learn it, is a prerequisite.
We offer you
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
- 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 €3.339,- and €6.228,-for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10-11). 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. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.
Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the “best university” in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.
Coming from abroad
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.
Do you want more information?
For more information about the position, please contact Ms. Sara Ahrari, Team Leader, phone: + 317 480 089, e-mail: sara.ahrari@wur.nl .
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jouke van Oostenbrugge, Corporate Recruiter, via jouke.vanoostenbrugge@wur.nl .
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 until 20 October 2025. The first interviews are scheduled for last week of October 2025.
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.
We are
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.
We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.
