Project leader/ Researcher in post-harvest technology

Posted 2026-09-23

What will you be doing?

As a project leader/researcher, you will contribute to our team's results by leading research projects on the one hand and conducting high-quality applied research on the other. You will also contribute to project acquisition and work on drafting project proposals, project plans, and reports. You will maintain contact with stakeholders and make a structural contribution to innovation and the further development of the field.

Where will you work?

Within the Wageningen Food and Biobased Research (WFBR) institute, part of Wageningen University & Research (WUR), we perform applied scientific research in close collaboration with the business community to develop sustainable solutions in the field of food and biobased technology. The WFBR Post-Harvest Technology team works on innovative technologies to improve the shelf life of vegetables, fruit, and flowers. Our expertise ranges from plant physiology to cold chains, and our focus is both on the Netherlands as well as international (LMICs).

Requirements

You have a recently completed PhD in a relevant field related to post-harvest technology, with in-depth knowledge in at least two of the following areas:

• Post-harvest physiology and product quality
• Post-harvest pathology
• Biomarkers, volatiles, and sensors
• Cold chains and refrigeration technology
• Data analysis and modelling (R, Python, CFD)

Besides that, you have demonstrable experience in project leadership or management. Preferably, you also have experience in the business sector and are able to understand the issues our clients face and translate them into research questions and project opportunities.

You possess strong commercial skills and an entrepreneurial spirit, and you are proactive, result- and quality-driven, and a team player.

Finally, you also possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and in English at language level C1 and preferably also in Dutch. If you don't speak Dutch yet, we expect the willingness to learn Dutch. Of course we will support you in that.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

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 €5.698,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10). Additionally, for this role a contract for 30 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.

Employer

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, 7,600 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.

Additional information

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 Communitypage 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.

Join us and come work at WUR

At Wageningen University & Research, you work at improving the quality of life. Together with your colleagues, you seek to answer the challenges within our domain 'healthy food and living environment.'