Are you a researcher with a strong background in polymer science? Are you interested to further develop your talents in a creative, ambitious, and multi-disciplinary contract research institute? Are you keen to join our project teams and contribute to a more sustainable society by developing sustainable plastics for, e.g., packaging applications? We, the Sustainable Chemistry & Technology group of Wageningen Food and Biobased Research (WFBR), have a vacancy for a Researcher Sustainable Plastic Products. Will you join our team?

YOUR ROLE
Main activities are to:

• perform R&D on the formulation, processing and performance testing of biobased polymer products. Studies can be experimental, theoretical (desk- and literature studies), or both;
• report the results of your work internally – to the team and project leader, and externally – to our clients, in the form of written reports and oral presentations;
• contribute to writing proposals and/or workplans for the acquisition of new projects. In this process, you collaborate with other experts and members of our commercial team;
• contribute to the publication of non-confidential results in peer reviewed journals, trade magazines and other media.

With our work on sustainable plastics we aim for a circular plastics economy in which plastics are based on renewable feedstocks, are recyclable, and do not accumulate in nature. We have over 25 experience in biobased and biodegradable plastics, and have facilities for pilot scale polymer processing (e.g. compounding extruders, injection moulding, film blowing) and extensive polymer analysis (mechanical, chemical, thermal, biodegradation).

Annually, our experienced researchers of the Sustainable Plastic Technology expertise perform dozens of research projects, of greatly varying size/duration and technology readiness level. Novel concepts are investigated in subsidized and public-private partnership projects, whereas projects with a well-defined innovation purpose are usually performed in direct collaboration with our commercial clients. Each project is unique and staffed with a dedicated team of scientists and led by a matching project leader. You are likely to work on multiple projects, either sequentially or in parallel.

We ask

As a researcher, you are expected to have:

• an MSc in polymer science, preferably complemented by working experience in an R&D environment;
• an inventive nature and high learning ability, matching the nature of our research organization;
• strong collaboration and communication skills;
• a result-oriented and reliable working attitude;
• the ambition to increase your and our scientific visibility via publications and presentations;
• fluency in English (C2 level). Knowledge of the Dutch language is not required for this function, but learning Dutch may increase your long-term career options.

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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December bonus of 4%;
• 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 €2949,- and €5479,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10 or 11).

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere. You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland.

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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

More information

Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Arie van der Bent, Research Manager Sustainable Chemistry and Technology, telephone +31-317-480231, or by e-mail: arie.vanderbent@wur.nl or Ir. Karin Molenveld, Expertise Leader Sustainable Plastic Technology, telephone +31317481157, or by e-mail karin.molenveld@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, +31317480571, by e-mail rutger.voorrips@wur.nl

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.
Don’t wait with your application. As soon as we have suitable applicants, we will start the interview process. Will we talk to you soon?

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.
 

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, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 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 this video 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