Laboratory technician fish biology

Career at WUR

About Us

• Plenty of variety and challenges
• Pleasant working atmosphere
• Time for personal development
• Proper work-life balance
• Internationally leading
  
  

Your job

Do you enjoy variety in your work, want to contribute to fish and fisheries research, and enjoy collaborating with colleagues? Then we have an exciting opportunity for you at Wageningen Marine Research as a laboratory technician in fish biology! A good command of the Dutch language is essential for this role.

As a laboratory technician in fish biology, you will support fish and fisheries research through your practical experience, species identification skills and accurate working methods. You will help ensure biological samples are processed reliably and that researchers have access to high-quality data.

Your duties and responsibilities as a Laboratory technician fish biology include:

• processing biological samples in WMR’s research laboratories;
• determining the age of various fish species, including preparing samples and contributing to the development of fish ageing methods;
• recording research data, identifying and reporting any anomalies, and providing data to researchers;
• archiving and managing biological sample collections and research materials;
• coordinating sampling logistics, both in the laboratory and at field locations throughout the Netherlands.
  
  

Your team

You will work with colleagues across various fish research project teams. Your work will support a broad range of studies, including larval fish research and diet studies. You will combine taking initiative to improve working methods with carrying out routine laboratory tasks.

You will work here

You will be based at Wageningen Marine Research in IJmuiden, working in its offices and research laboratories.

Your qualities

You are an accurate, proactive and solution-oriented team player with good communication skills. You switch easily between tasks and work effectively both independently and as part of a team. You have a natural aptitude for organising tasks, materials, and samples in a systematic, structured manner.

You Also Possess

• a Dutch senior secondary vocational qualification at level 4 (MBO-4), or an equivalent qualification, in a biological discipline, and an interest in fish and fisheries research; Applicants with a university degree are excluded from the selection process.
• demonstrable experience in biological laboratory work, preferably in a research environment; experience working with fish and other marine species is an advantage;
• proficiency in Dutch at a minimum of CEFR level B2;
• the attention to detail required to interpret and follow sampling and data protocols accurately;
• preferably, a category B driving licence.
  
  

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level B1.

We offer

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;
• 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 € 2,962.- and € 3,728.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 6). For this role, an appointment of 24 to 36 hours per week is negotiable. We are offering you a 12-month fixed-term contract, which will be extended depending on the availability of research projects and your performance. We would, of course, be happy to discuss this with you if you have any questions.

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

Due to Dutch immigration laws, candidates from outside the EU/EFTA zone, can usually not be hired for this position. More information can be found on the website of the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service .

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 Sieto Verver, Programme Manager and Teamleader via email: sieto.verver@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, Corporate Recruiter, via email: recruitment.asg@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 Monday 26 October 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 2 October 2026. Interviews will take place on the afternoon of 4 November 2026 in IJmuiden.

We review applications on a rolling basis, including before the closing date. As a result, the vacancy may close earlier than indicated.

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.

Wageningen Marine Research

Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) is a leading independent research institute with locations in IJmuiden, Den Helder and Yerseke. The institute focuses on strategic and applied marine ecological research. Its products and services are delivered on a project basis, with more than 400 research projects carried out annually, ranging from field studies and full-scale experiments to exploratory laboratory studies, data management and modelling. The institute is equipped with modern research facilities and is ISO 9001 certified. Wageningen Marine Research is organisationally part of Wageningen University & Research. Research within our institute focuses on understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of individuals, populations, ecosystems and socio-ecological systems. This includes accounting for changing environmental conditions, climate change and human activities in marine and freshwater environments. We work with a wide variety of species, ranging from corals and fish to marine mammals and birds, across both benthic and pelagic ecosystems. In addition, we investigate human behaviour, for example that of fishers. To achieve this, we make use of experimental field and laboratory data, mathematical models and computer simulations.

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

IJmuiden

Professional field

Tech & Laboratory

Educational level

Vocational level

Apply before

27-10-2026

Salary range

€2962 - €3728

Hours

24 - 36