Researcher in Plant Sciences
Wageningen University
Netherlands


Your tasks and responsibilities are, among others:

  • you execute projects in the field of greenhouse horticulture, aimed at optimizing conditions for crop growth, development and production;
  • you are involved in experimental work in advanced cultivation systems in greenhouses;
  • you translate research questions into experimental designs and protocols for advanced measurements such as photosynthesis, transpiration, light interception, spectral composition of the light, and the use of sensors;
  • you process and analyse the experimental data, using your skills in excel and, for instance, Python scripts, and describe the results in reports and present these;
  • you cooperate with colleagues from different expertise within and outside the Business Unit;
  • you consider opportunities for new projects and be involved in acquisition;
  • you maintain contact with clients, (local) governments, greenhouse suppliers, growers and other (international) knowledge institutions.
You are part of the research team on Physiology and Product Quality. In this team, we work together on understanding and improving crop production systems and harvestable products in greenhouse horticulture. We investigate the effects of greenhouse climate and cultivation systems on crop development, production and product quality, including the underlying plant processes such as photosynthesis and transpiration. We do experimental research in greenhouses and vertical farms, and develop sensory systems for quality assessment. We develop and use crop growth models, we work on the design and use of intelligent sensors and data-driven cultivation systems, and on the design of cultivation systems for new greenhouse crops. In this, we closely cooperate with the other research teams.

The Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture of Wageningen University & Research is a well-established international contract research organisation, working on innovative solutions for protected cultivation. Together with companies, government and research organisations, we work on research questions on  greenhouse design, cultivation systems and crop protection, and translate these to applied and strategic research projects. The business unit Greenhouse Horticulture and Flower bulbs has approximately 160 employees working at two locations, viz., Wageningen and Bleiswijk.

 

Your qualities

We ask or an enthusiastic and ambitious assistant researcher at our research location in Bleiswijk, with:

  • relevant education at BSc or MSc level in plant sciences, applied biology or another relevant education;
  • experience in the design and execution of greenhouse trials, use of sensors and crop monitoring, data processing and reporting;
  • knowledge of physiological and morphological processes, their interaction with greenhouse climate, and the technical design of cultivation systems;
  • knowledge of light, lighting and advanced (plant) measurements such as spectral composition of the light, photosynthesis, light interception, etc.
  • preferably knowledge of and experience in greenhouse horticulture;
  • interest to work in project teams with colleagues and stakeholders, such as growers, horticultural supply companies or government;
  • affinity with working in a contract research organization;
  • fluent in Dutch and English;
  • a driver’s license B;
  • good communicative skills, team spirit, client oriented and tolerant to stress.
You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.

 

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;
  • the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more;
  • 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 December 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 €2.632,- and €4.520,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 8/9). Additionally, a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. You will initially receive a one-year contract, which will be extended to an open-ended contract upon in mutual enthusiasm.                                                                                                    
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

 

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Anne Elings, teamlead Physiology and Product Quality, anne.elings@wur.nl tel. +31 6 53711095. Please note; he's on holiday until the 12th of August.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Dax Teunissen, corporate recruiter vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl.

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 9 augustus 2024.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

We are

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.

As assistant researcher advanced cultivation systems you participate at our location in Bleiswijk in research projects on optimal conditions for growth, development and production of crops. You contribute with your knowledge on plant physiology, advanced cultivation systems, taking measurements with advanced equipment, sensors and data processing. You collaborate with our specialists in the fields of crop physiology, greenhouse climate, crop modelling, nutrition and crop protection, to contribute to the development of a sustainable and innovative greenhouse sector.
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