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
Make an impact to sustainable soil and plant health.
Are you an ambitious scientist with expertise in soil ecology and plant-soil interactions? Do you enjoy acquiring and leading research projects and collaborating with partners across science, industry, farmers, and government? Then this position could be the perfect next step in your career.
As a Soil Ecology scientist at Wageningen Plant Research in Wageningen, you will contribute to understanding the role of soil organisms and translate these findings into practical management in diverse ecosystems, including agriculture, grasslands and more urban systems. You will play a key role in initiating, coordinating, and conducting (fundamental up to more applied) research projects together with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
In this position, you will have a high degree of independence and responsibility. You will cooperate in running projects, identify new research opportunities and initiate/acquire new projects, lead and manage research projects, contribute to knowledge development and sharing, and work closely with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative scientist with experience in the fields of soil ecology and plant health.
You will be based in Wageningen and collaborate with experts from related fields such as (meta)genomics, biocontrol, plant breeding, microbiome, phytopathology, bacteriology, nematology, entomology and diagnostics.
Your Duties And Responsibilities Include
- acquiring, coordinating, leading, and conducting research projects on soil ecology within multidisciplinary teams;
- reporting research outcomes through reports, scientific publications, trade articles, presentations, newsletters, and online communication channels;
- supervising project staff, interns, and students;
- building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and translating their questions into relevant and feasible research projects;
- translating research findings into practical recommendations and applications for clients and other stakeholders.
Your team
You will join Wageningen Plant Research, part of Wageningen University & Research. You will work together with colleagues who are dedicated to understand the role of soil ecology in diverse ecosystems and to developing innovative and sustainable solutions for diseases and pests in agriculture and horticulture.
While current crop protection agents reduce yield losses, they often may have a negative impact on people and the environment. Wageningen Plant Research develops solutions such as biological crop protection and resilient cropping systems, offering opportunities for sustainable food production worldwide. The interaction between plants, soils and diseases & pests is the focal point of our research.
We study the interactions between plants and harmful or beneficial organisms, including insects, fungi, viruses, and bacteria, both above and below ground. In addition, we develop advanced diagnostic methods to detect harmful organisms throughout the production chain.
The team is based in Wageningen and works closely with national and international partners from science, industry, and government.
Your qualities
You are an ambitious, enthusiastic and proactive researcher with a background in soil ecology and a strong interest in sustainable crop protection and plant health. You enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams, coordinating projects, and building collaborations with clients and research partners. You are proactive, well-organised, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
You are also capable of translating scientific knowledge into practical applications and communicating research results to both scientific and non-scientific audiences. In addition, you enjoy identifying new research opportunities and developing and acquiring project proposals for national and international funding programs or clients.
You communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. Knowledge of the Dutch language is highly desirable. If you do not already speak Dutch, you are willing to learn it.
You Also Possess
- a university degree in soil ecology, plant-soil interactions or a related field; a PhD is considered an advantage;
- experience with and/or affinity for:
- Project acquisition;
- Plant health and crop protection;
- Microbiology;
- Nematology;
- Knowledge valorisation;
- Molecular diagnostics;
- Statistics;
- outreach;
- project management skills;
- excellent communication and networking skills;
- a collaborative and client-oriented mindset.
In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about 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 € 3,554.- and € 6,471.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10/11). Additionally, for this role a contract for 32 to 36 hours can be discussed. We initially offer a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the organisation’s financial situation.
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 Tess van de Voorde via email:
[email protected] or Gerard Korthals via email:
[email protected].
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, 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 Monday September 14, 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before August 25, 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
Research & Science (incl. postdoc)
Educational level
Masters degree, Doctorate
Apply before
15-9-2026
Salary range
€3554 - €6471
Hours
32 - 36