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
Are you the expert who effortlessly translates complex funding schemes into opportunities for groundbreaking research? Would you like to play a key role in the success of the chair groups and research institute of the Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group (AFSG) at Wageningen University & Research (WUR)? Are you fluent in Dutch? For our Legal Affairs and Contract Management team, we are looking for a Policy Advisor Grants / Wageningen Grant Office (24–28 hours per week).
As AFSG's Grants Advisor, you are the vital link between science and policy. You are not only an advisor but also a proactive scout who identifies funding opportunities from organizations such as the Dutch Research Council (NWO), the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), and the European Commission. You provide both solicited and unsolicited advice on complex funding issues and ensure that our researchers receive the best possible support for prestigious grant applications. You bring a fresh perspective, actively connect experts from different disciplines to stimulate innovative collaborations, and understand both the diverse expertise within the organization and its dynamic environment.
What will you do?
- identify opportunities: Monitor developments in the funding landscape, filter daily grant announcements, and translate new funding calls into concrete opportunities for AFSG;
- policy development: Prepare briefing papers for the management team, evaluate existing policies, and ensure full compliance with relevant legislation and regulations;
- grant applications: Support complex grant proposals in line with established organizational processes. As coordinator, you bring together legal, financial, and administrative expertise and work closely with departments such as Finance and Legal Affairs;
- university-wide impact: For approximately 0.3 FTE, you will be part of the Wageningen Grant Office, applying your grant expertise across the wider WUR organization.
Your working environment
Wageningen University & Research consists of five science groups. You will join the Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group (AFSG).
AFSG comprises a university division with 22 chair groups engaged in education and fundamental research in food technology, human nutrition and health, environmental technology, and molecular life sciences. In addition, AFSG includes an applied research institute that develops insights, technologies, and practical innovations to help businesses, governments, and philanthropic organizations make informed, future-proof decisions.
Our research focuses on food quality, sustainable production chains, renewable materials, and circular solutions. We believe that tackling these societal challenges requires strong partnerships. That is why we collaborate extensively with external organizations and actively participate in national and international funding programmes to realise innovative research projects.
To strengthen these efforts, we are looking for a Grants Advisor who will provide expert guidance to our scientists and support them in preparing successful grant applications.
Your team
You will become part of AFSG's Legal Affairs team while working closely with the Finance department and other relevant support teams.
The Legal Affairs team consists of 13 colleagues: five legal counsels, five contract managers/paralegals who provide administrative and legal support, a Privacy Officer, a Grants Advisor, and the team manager. The atmosphere is informal, collaborative, and supportive. In addition to your AFSG colleagues, you will have frequent contact with other departments across Wageningen University & Research.
Your qualities
We are looking for a Grants Advisor who has an affinity with scientific research, understands the interests of researchers and WUR within collaborative projects, and takes a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach.
In Addition, You
- have an academic level of thinking and working, combined with substantial relevant experience in a comparable role;
- have experience with national and international funding programmes, such as NWO, Horizon Europe, and RVO;
- have an affinity with AFSG's scientific domains;
- have an excellent command of both Dutch and English, spoken and written;
- possess strong communication and stakeholder management skills;
- thrive under pressure and consistently meet deadlines;
- combine creativity with accuracy and attention to detail;
- preferably have experience working within a university, research institute, or other knowledge-driven organization.
Within our international working environment, English is increasingly the primary language of communication. For this position, a C1 level of English is required. For Dutch, we also require at least level C1.
Applying without fluency in Dutch is not useful.
Not sure whether you meet every requirement? We encourage you to see this role as an opportunity to grow. Even if you do not yet have all the requested experience, but you do have a solid background in research funding and grants, we warmly invite you to apply
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 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 €4938,- and €7337,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 12). For this role we offer a contract for 24 - 28 hours. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance.
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 Maaike Janssen, manager legal affairs, via email:
[email protected].
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, 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 September 21st, 2026.
Internal candidates are preferred to apply before August 20th, 2026.
Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.
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
Bachelors degree
Apply before
22-9-2026
Salary range
€4938 - €7337
Hours
24 - 28