Your job
Are you an environmental economist with a clear vision and up-to-date knowledge of socio-economic issues surrounding climate, nature and biodiversity? Do you want to contribute towards future-proofing the Dutch economy, and define welfare beyond GDP? If so, we have an interesting research position for you at Wageningen Economic Research.
We are facing many challenges: climate change, depletion of natural resources, pollution of our living environment and declining biodiversity. At the same time, we see trends such as urbanization and digitalisation, increasing recognition of the importance of natural capital for our (broad) prosperity, and an increasingly critical attitude of society towards the way we treat nature and produce our food. This raises questions such as how we can strengthen biodiversity and ecosystems, produce enough healthy and safe food in a sustainable and fair way, and how we can resiliently design and finance our environment. We work every day to answer such questions.
Wageningen Economic Research, focuses on a national and international market of governments, NGOs and business with research results and advice, in close collaboration with world leading research experts within Wageningen University and Research. The impact of our work is directly visible in government policy and business decisions.
The role focusses on the economic perspective and sustainable development of rural areas and urban green space, primarily in the Netherlands and in Europe, through research on challenges such as climate-neutral food production, a nature-inclusive environment, fresh water availability and biodiversity restoration and stakeholder engagement.
As a researcher you will conduct socio-economic studies including monitoring projects, scenario studies, ex-ante evaluations, policy analyses and foresight studies. You can make use of data managed by Wageningen Economic Research (including the Business Information Network, BIN) or one of our (spatial) economic models. You will also work on research projects that focus on the interaction between different sectors and stakeholders. You will present research results in a clear manner, for example through client presentations, workshops, (interactive) reports and scientific publications. Based on these results, you provide independent advice to our clients.
Depending on your experience, you acquire and lead projects and actively maintain your network of relationships in the field of nature, climate, ecosystems and biodiversity. You are a sparring partner for our clients and able to translate their knowledge questions into clear socio-economic research questions and project proposals.
Your qualities
- MSc in environmental economics, economics of sustainability, or agricultural economics, and at least 3 years of work experience in preferably applied research, with a PhD considered a plus;
- interest in and preferably experience with acquisition of international programs such as Horizon Europe and a relevant network in Europe/Brussels consistent with these types of programs;
- understanding of complex political-administrative relations and knowledge of Dutch/European climate, water, nature and biodiversity policies;
- experience with project-based work and publication of results, interest in leading research projects;
- experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods and good analytical skills;
- a committed personality who enjoys working in (interdisciplinary) teams, has a customer- and result-oriented attitude, good presentation skills and the ability to perform under pressure; and
- excellent communication skills in Dutch (at least B2) and English (at least C1), both oral and written, additional languages are considered an advantage.
We offer you
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 € 3.527,- and € 6.229,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11-12). Additionally, a contract for 0,8 FTE can be discussed.
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, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.
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.
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.
Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Gonne Beekman, Team manager Green Economy and Land Use, telephone 0317-484 373 or by e-mail gonne.beekman@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Jeanine van ‘t Veer, Recruiter via recruitment.ssg@wur.nl.
Do you already want to get an impression of working at Wageningen Economic Research? Watch our video
https://www.youtube.com/embed/s3Ymarxh8BA?enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.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.
This vacancy will be listed up to and including July 4, 2023. We hope to schedule the first job interviews as soon possible after the vacancy is closed.
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
Wageningen University & Research
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.