Researcher Greenhouse Technology, Energy and Climate

Your job

Are you an enthusiastic researcher with interest for sustainability, (food) horticulture and technology? Then we are looking for you!

In this role you will contribute to the energy transition in Dutch greenhouse horticulture and shape a sustainable future. As part of our ambitious research program, you’ll work on making the sector more sustainable. In the coming years, Dutch greenhouses must eliminate fossil energy use, stop emissions, and actively support a circular economy. Working with the government, suppliers, and growers, we tackle key research questions on the energy transition, drive innovation, and help implement these solutions in practice. Internationally, our work also addresses setting up local food production in various climate zones, focusing on high yields with minimal resource use.

As Researcher Greenhouse Technology, Energy and Climate you contribute to the design of new and the improvement of existing greenhouse production systems in the scope of the energy transition, high quality crop production and low resource use efficiency. You will do that in multidisciplinary teams with different experts with different background in an (inter)national setting.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• You carry out research projects in the field of systems engineering for greenhouse horticulture. You design new and improve existing energy-saving and fossil-free greenhouse systems. You conduct research into various aspects of ‘Het Nieuwe Telen’, the sustainable use of climate control installations such as dehumidification, coverings, screens, CO2, the use of sustainable energy systems and sources.
• For your research you will use simulation models for greenhouse energy management and climate control, carry out experiments in experimental and practical greenhouse, collect, analyze and interpret data. You will translate scientific research results into practical applications in close interaction with innovative growers and supply industry.
• You will lead research projects in collaboration with companies, governments and other knowledge institutions in multi-disciplinary teams.
• You will use your network to initiate and acquire of new research projects with national and international funding and formulate clear project proposals.
• You will disseminate your research results in scientific journals but also to translate them to a broad audience and commercial practice.

You will work here
You will work in the business unit Greenhouse Horticulture of WUR. The business unit Greenhouse Horticulture has about 160 employees and different research teams. The function described here is part of the Greenhouse Technology research team. Research is conducted to develop sustainable greenhouse and indoor farming production systems in the Netherlands and various regions in the world. Major research fields are the energy transition of greenhouse towards a fossil-free future, autonomous greenhouse growing and a circular horticulture. Experts in the field of greenhouse climate, energy, modelling, data science, artificial intelligence and sensors work together in a multi-disciplinary approach with colleagues from crop physiology, crop management, crop protection, root zone dynamics and greenhouse automation and robotics. They collaborate with experts from science and business. For more information, take a look at this webpage.

This position is preferably at our campus in Wageningen, however, at our greenhouse research location Bleiswijk is also possible.

Your qualities

You are an independent researcher with good system thinking and problem-solving skills. You are a team player, you have clear communicative skills, you are creative, proactive and customer-oriented.

You also possess:

• An academic training in biosystems engineering, systems and control engineering, physics or another relevant education with strong analytical training. You preferrable have a PhD with some years of work experience;
• Strong knowledge of the field of horticultural technology, energy and climate technology and the design of greenhouse production systems;
• Basic knowledge of greenhouse crop production and the willingness to get familiar with the challenges of (international) horticulture;
• Experience with physical modeling, the use of sensors, the use of data analysis tools (e.g. Python, Matlab).

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. at language level C1 or higher. In our daily working environment with growers communication in Dutch is required at language level B2 or higher.

You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So, if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.

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;
• 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 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 €3.693,- and €5.737,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11). As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

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 with your work you have a clear and positive impact on society. At WUR we work on the most pressing challenges of our time, like climate change and feeding the world in a sustainable way. 

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.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Silke Hemming, teamleader research team Greenhouse Technology, silke.hemming@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Dax Teunissen, corporate recruiter, vacaturemeldingen.psg@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.

After the closing date, we will make an initial selection and provide you with feedback as soon as possible. The interviews will take place in February.

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.

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, 7,600 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.