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Head of the Dutch Plant Genetic Resources Genebank
CPTE WURPosted 22 hours ago
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Career at WUR
About Us
As Head of the Dutch Plant Genetic Resources Genebank, you will provide strategic direction for the conservation of plant genetic diversity. In doing so, you will contribute to resilient agriculture, biodiversity and food security. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in research, innovation and international collaboration.
Within Wageningen Plant Research, you will lead the Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) cluster of the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN). As Group head, you will manage a team of 15–20 highly skilled professionals and create the conditions in which they can make the best possible use of their expertise in delivering CGN’s statutory research tasks (WOT).
At the same time, you will remain active as a researcher. You will lead projects, contribute to research, and actively develop new research opportunities and collaborations. In this way, you will connect scientific expertise with societal challenges and the further development of CGN.
Together with the Programme Leader and the other CGN Cluster Leaders, you will help shape a strong, independent and future-oriented approach to delivering the statutory research tasks. You will work closely with Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen Environmental Research and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN), as well as with national and international partners.
Your Duties And Responsibilities Include
You will lead a team of 15–20 committed professionals with a wide range of expertise in plant genetic resources. Together, they work towards CGN’s mission: to conserve the genetic diversity of food crops and make it available to users today and in the future.
The team includes crop curators, genebank experts and researchers. Their work covers the management and conservation of genetic material, promoting the use of crops, providing policy support, and conducting methodological research.
As WOT Cluster Leader, you will report to the Head of WOT Genetic Resources in Wageningen. As Group head within WPR, you will report to one of the Institute Managers.
You will work here
This position is part of the Group head community within Wageningen Plant Research (WPR) in Wageningen. The Group head community is responsible for the effective functioning of the research teams, ensuring that strategic ambitions are translated into coherent plans, effective implementation, and the optimal deployment of people, facilities and support.
The Institute Management Team (IMT) is responsible for WPR as a whole. As Group head, you will be responsible for your team’s contribution to this, working in close coordination and collaboration with the other research teams.
Your qualities
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
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.
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.
Important information
For more information about the position, please contact Raymond Jongschaap, Institute Manager Wageningen Plant Research via +31 6 3045 1368 or via email: raymond.jongschaap@wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van ‘t Land, corporate recruiter, via email: ine.vantland@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 up to and including 1 October 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 11 September 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.
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.
Locations
Wageningen
Professional field
Staff & Support
Educational level
Doctorate
Apply before
2-10-2026
Salary range
€6207 - €9064
Hours
32 - 36
About Us
- Plenty of variety and challenges
- Pleasant working atmosphere
- Time for personal development
- Proper work-life balance
- Internationally leading
As Head of the Dutch Plant Genetic Resources Genebank, you will provide strategic direction for the conservation of plant genetic diversity. In doing so, you will contribute to resilient agriculture, biodiversity and food security. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in research, innovation and international collaboration.
Within Wageningen Plant Research, you will lead the Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) cluster of the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN). As Group head, you will manage a team of 15–20 highly skilled professionals and create the conditions in which they can make the best possible use of their expertise in delivering CGN’s statutory research tasks (WOT).
At the same time, you will remain active as a researcher. You will lead projects, contribute to research, and actively develop new research opportunities and collaborations. In this way, you will connect scientific expertise with societal challenges and the further development of CGN.
Together with the Programme Leader and the other CGN Cluster Leaders, you will help shape a strong, independent and future-oriented approach to delivering the statutory research tasks. You will work closely with Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen Environmental Research and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN), as well as with national and international partners.
Your Duties And Responsibilities Include
- Lead the team as its figurehead, based on a clear team strategy, within the framework of the WOT Statute and the Implementation Agreement for the WOT Genetic Resources programme, in coordination with the other clusters within the Genetic Resources WOT units in Wageningen.
- Safeguard the programme independence of CGN as a WOT unit within WPR, PSG and WUR, and report on this to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN).
- Actively ensure a balanced team composition and optimal deployment of resources, aligning the team’s ambitions, capacity, expertise and quality with the WOT and research tasks and with the WPR Institute’s Strategic Agenda.
- Take responsibility for the strategic development and prioritisation of the project portfolio, ensuring the team is positioned for the future and that its activities are aligned with WOT Genetic Resources, the Strategic Agenda and WPR’s financial frameworks.
- Actively participate in business development and project management, while safeguarding scientific quality and integrity, innovation, and the high-quality standards of the genebank activities, underpinned by ISO 9001 certification.
- Coach, motivate and develop employees in line with their ambitions, capabilities and competencies. Encourage collaboration, sustainable employability and professional development, with attention to performance, wellbeing and future career prospects within the framework of the WOT and the institute’s strategic direction.
- As a role model, actively promote cohesion, collaboration, scientific quality, diversity, psychological safety and professionalism. Create a safe, inclusive and learning-oriented working environment in which there is room for dialogue, reflection and development.
You will lead a team of 15–20 committed professionals with a wide range of expertise in plant genetic resources. Together, they work towards CGN’s mission: to conserve the genetic diversity of food crops and make it available to users today and in the future.
The team includes crop curators, genebank experts and researchers. Their work covers the management and conservation of genetic material, promoting the use of crops, providing policy support, and conducting methodological research.
As WOT Cluster Leader, you will report to the Head of WOT Genetic Resources in Wageningen. As Group head within WPR, you will report to one of the Institute Managers.
You will work here
This position is part of the Group head community within Wageningen Plant Research (WPR) in Wageningen. The Group head community is responsible for the effective functioning of the research teams, ensuring that strategic ambitions are translated into coherent plans, effective implementation, and the optimal deployment of people, facilities and support.
The Institute Management Team (IMT) is responsible for WPR as a whole. As Group head, you will be responsible for your team’s contribution to this, working in close coordination and collaboration with the other research teams.
Your qualities
- Experience with national and international policies and regulations, international organisations, and relevant interest groups in and around the seed and plant breeding sector in relation to genetic resources.
- Demonstrable subject-matter expertise in plant genetic resources, for example gained through genebank management, plant genetic resources, plant breeding, crop diversity, conservation or a related field of research.
- At least 3–5 years’ demonstrable experience managing teams and/or complex national or international projects in a scientific or research environment.
- An academic level of thinking and working, preferably with a PhD.
- A recognised national and international profile in the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources, particularly the role of genebanks, or the ambition and potential to rapidly develop such a profile.
- Current management experience with a knowledge-intensive team of professionals, as well as experience conducting and acquiring strategic or applied research in a scientific field relevant to the group’s research domain.
- Familiarity with the relevant themes of the WPR Institute, with the ability to build connections with stakeholders both within and outside the institute, including businesses, government bodies, NGOs and research organisations.
- The ability to represent the group’s research field and activities in an engaging and compelling way.
- Fluency in Dutch and English, or a willingness and ability to develop proficiency rapidly.
- Organisationally astute (within and outside WUR), decisive, determined and able to maintain a clear strategic direction.
- A strong networker, nationally and internationally, within the genebank community, at policy level, with research organisations and with relevant stakeholder groups.
- A coaching leadership style, with a strong focus on collaboration.
- Able to contribute proactively to the international network of genebanks and related international coordinating organisations.
- Inclusive, approachable, communicative, honest and transparent.
- Strong conceptual and analytical skills, with initiative and the ability to translate strategy and vision into action and results.
- In our international working environment, communication is increasingly conducted in English. For this position, we require a CEFR C1/C2 level of English . If you do not yet have this level, we will of course support you, and you can make use of our language centre, Wageningen in’to Language .
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.
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.
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.
Important information
For more information about the position, please contact Raymond Jongschaap, Institute Manager Wageningen Plant Research via +31 6 3045 1368 or via email: raymond.jongschaap@wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van ‘t Land, corporate recruiter, via email: ine.vantland@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 up to and including 1 October 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 11 September 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.
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.
Locations
Wageningen
Professional field
Staff & Support
Educational level
Doctorate
Apply before
2-10-2026
Salary range
€6207 - €9064
Hours
32 - 36