Your job
Are you a specialist in fermentation technology?
Do you have a strong ambition to grow in project management?
Join our team as a Scientist in Microbial Cell Factories for a sustainable future!
We are seeking a driven and devoted scientist with a focus on microbial physiology in industrial cultivation systems to join our Bioconversion team at the Wageningen Food and Biobased Research institute (WFBR). Our dedicated team works on a diverse range of projects aimed at finding sustainable solutions to global challenges, using bioconversion technology.
As a member of our Microbial Cell Factory (MCF) expertise team, you will play a key role as scientist to develop and valorize solutions and (innovative) technologies in the area of microbial processes such as food/feed fermentation, precision fermentation and bio-actives. This is a perfect opportunity for ambitious scientists who want to develop further as scientist and/or project leader.
Your duties and responsibilities include:
- coordinate and perform applied research in the field of microbial process optimization. The goal is to provide innovative solutions for our internal and external stakeholders, both private and public;
- coordinate projects in the food, feed and precision fermentation space;
- support the acquisition of innovative projects together with our Business Development Managers;
- act as a linking pin towards colleagues who are active in various domains.
You will work within the Microbial Cell Factory team which is quickly growing. Your working sphere will cover a big variety of expertise- and project teams working on subjects in the food- as well as non-food market. The research focuses on the translation of academic knowledge to novel or improved process concepts in an industrial environment.
Your qualities
- MSc/PhD in Biotechnology or Microbial process technology, preferably with an affinity towards on food, feed and precision fermentation
- Domain knowledge of and experience/affinity with microbial physiology, high throughput screening technologies and microbial process scaling to pilot scale
- Strong ambition in project management and acquisition
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (networker)
- Experience with leading small teams of a varying composition
- Proficiency in the English language, both written and orally (CEFRL level C1), with strong reporting skills; Dutch proficiency is an asset.
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 €5.479,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11). 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 18th consecutive time.
Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research center 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.
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. For instance under the “30% rule”, certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.
Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Chris Claesen, Manager Bioconversion, by email: chris.claesen@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Paul Snijder, recruiter, by email: paul.snijder@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 10th July, 2023.
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.