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 have experience working in a laboratory? Are you a passionate and independent project manager with a background in chemical analysis? Do you have an affinity with laboratory analyses, research and quality, and would you like to manage a variety of large and medium-sized, complex projects? Then we, Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), would like to hear from you! We are looking for a Project Manager with laboratory experience!
Please note: fluency in Dutch is a must have for this position.
What will you do as a Project Manager?
At WFSR, part of Wageningen University & Research (WUR), we help ensure that the food chain in the Netherlands is and remains safe. We work on a project basis, and our Project Managers are responsible for the effective execution of projects, as well as their financial management and planning. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, you will work closely with colleagues in our laboratories, as well as with their team leaders, programme leaders and the Finance department. Naturally, you will also maintain close contact with our internal and external clients.
As a Project Manager, you will lead and coordinate a variety of projects, including projects involving analyses, quality assurance and/or research assignments. You will also be responsible for developing the annual activity plans for your projects.
In the future, acquisition activities and writing project proposals may also become part of the role.
Where will you work?
WFSR conducts high-quality, independent research into the safety and reliability of food and animal feed. We investigate harmful substances, including pesticides, veterinary drug residues, natural toxins and organic contaminants such as PFAS, as well as microbial and viral contamination. Our work includes analysing products for the presence of such substances, monitoring trends in the food production chain, identifying and investigating emerging risks, keeping analytical methods up to date, and verifying the authenticity of food products.
Your qualities
- You have several years of demonstrable experience as a Project Manager and experience in project management;
- You have at least a completed Bachelor’s degree (HBO level);
- You are decisive, self-directed and well organised, have experience with budgeting and possess strong organisational awareness;
- You have an affinity with the field of food safety;
- You are a team player who involves the project team in decision-making, while also being able to make the final decision when needed.
As a Project Manager, you maintain a comprehensive overview of everything that happens within your projects, both in terms of people and finances. You have an eye for the individual needs and motivations of team members, as well as for the needs of the team and the organisation as a whole. You know how to create a socially and physically safe working environment where open communication is encouraged. You are quality- and customer-oriented, skilled in process management, and able to work effectively under tight deadlines.
Most of our work is conducted in Dutch, but we also work in an international environment.
In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level B2. For Dutch we expect a language level C1.
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 €3640,- and €5132,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 9). Additionally, for this role a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. We initially offer a two-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory 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
WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year ” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant ”.
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 Maarten van Rees, Teamlead, 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. The first interviews are scheduled shortly after the closing date. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before August 30th, 2026. We will schedule the internal interviews early September.
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
Tech & Laboratory
Educational level
Bachelors degree
Apply before
22-9-2026
Salary range
€3640 - €5132
Hours
32 - 36