"Fisheries Innovation Researcher"

Job Description

As a Fisheries Innovation Researcher at Wageningen Marine Research, you will contribute to various innovation projects in the field of sustainable fisheries, working in close collaboration with the fishing industry. Please note that a good command of the Dutch language is essential for this position.

In this role, you will translate knowledge needs from practice and policy into concrete research questions and project plans. You will acquire and manage new research projects – primarily medium-sized ones – to strengthen and, where possible, expand the fisheries innovation research portfolio.

Your main tasks and responsibilities as a researcher include:

• Maintaining networks within the fisheries sector, government, and other relevant stakeholders in the North Sea area;
• Carrying out fieldwork and experimental research;
• Processing, analysing, and reporting research results and translating these into practical advice for the fisheries sector, government, and other stakeholders;
• Publishing in scientific journals and presenting at symposia, conferences, and other events.

Your Team

You will primarily collaborate with colleagues within the Fisheries Research and Innovation (VOI) theme team at Wageningen Marine Research. Your daily work will involve a mix of different projects, meaning you will be part of multiple project teams. Your role and responsibilities will vary from project to project — in some, you will act as a researcher, while in others, you may take on a more managerial role as project leader.

You will also work closely with fishers and representatives from the fisheries sector, and maintain contact with clients.

Your main workplace will be the Wageningen Marine Research offices and laboratories in IJmuiden.

Requirements

You are, first and foremost, a scientist who approaches practical challenges with a scientific mindset. You communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including fishers, environmental organisations, policymakers, and fellow researchers. This enables you to connect fishers and fisheries technologists in joint projects and to bridge the gap between practice, policy, and applied scientific research.

You enjoy working in a multidisciplinary team, are critical and analytical, and can perform well under time pressure.

You also have:

• A relevant university degree (at least MSc level), such as Fisheries or Marine Biology;
• Experience in leading medium-sized projects and acquiring research funding;
• A strong affinity with the fisheries sector and knowledge of fishing techniques;
• Affinity with developing technical innovations to reduce unwanted effects of fishing. You are particularly skilled in designing, conducting, analysing, and reporting impact studies;
• The ability to delegate tasks within project teams — for instance, assigning the analysis of complex datasets to specialised colleagues. Experience with large datasets, statistical analysis, and programming in R is considered an asset;
• A flexible attitude towards working hours, for example in relation to fishing meetings or research trips. You are willing to spend several weeks per year conducting research aboard fishing vessels;
• Proficiency in both Dutch and English;
• Preferably, a valid Article 9 qualification under the Dutch Experiments on Animals Act.

Conditions of Employment

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 €3.399 and €5.478 for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10). As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

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.

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.

Employer

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Additional Information

For more information about the position, please contact Pieke Molenaar, project leader, pieke.molenaar@wur.nl, 0317 487007 And/or (due to absence at sea) Edward Schram, project leader, edward.schram@wur.nl, 0317 487038.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, Corporate Recruiter, via recruitment.asg@wur.nl.

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 December 14, 2025

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.