Researcher Natural Toxins

Your job

Do you consider the availability of safe and wholesome food for the entire world population one of the great challenges of our era? Do you want to contribute to safe and balanced diets by securing well designed and well executed analyses of food and feed? Are you eager to take on the challenge of improving analytical techniques in this field using state-of-the-art measurement systems such as LC-(HR)MS? This might be the next step for you! The Natural Toxins team of Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is looking for an ambitious researcher with an analytical chemical background.

What will you do?
In your daily work as researcher analytical chemistry, you will:

• act as the researcher for a number of projects, mainly on governmental tasks, but also in PPS- and EU-projects in the theme on Food and Feed safety;
• publish the results of research in scientific journals and present them at international conferences;
• participate in the EURL on mycotoxins & plant toxins in food and feed and advise the European Commission on analytical methods for enforcement of legal limits;
• build and maintain an (inter)national scientific network with relevant people and organizations;
• participate in (inter)national committees, e.g. EFSA and CEN;
• proactively look for new opportunities in e.g. PPS- and EU-calls and write proposals in the field of natural toxins.

The team in which the position is vacant, conducts research on mycotoxins, plant toxins and phycotoxins in food and feed. The team aims to strengthen the scientific relevance of WFSR in all three areas mentioned, including its role as European Union Reference Laboratory for mycotoxins & plant toxins in food and feed. Within the team of 22 professionals you collaborate with direct colleagues, but also with other research teams within WFSR, Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and outside.

Your qualities

• a PhD in analytical chemistry/bio-organic chemistry or comparable specialization; Knowledge of mass spectrometric techniques (preferably) for the analyses of food/feed;
• the enthusiasm to further develop your knowledge and experience in instrumental toxins analysis and research;
• experience with acquisition of new projects;
• a creative thinker and initiator with the energy to move projects in a positive and constructive way;
• you are fluent in written and spoken Dutch and English

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1.

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 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 € 3234,-. and € 6008,-. for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10 - 11).
Additionally, a contract for 32 hours a week can be discussed. As for your contract, we initially offer a two-year contract that can be extended  Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

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

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

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 the position, please contact Linda Stolker, Teamlead of the Natural Toxins team, via phone +31 317 480 390 or by email: linda.stolker@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, by e-mail: rutger.voorrips@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 and until the 21^st of April 2025. Don’t wait with your application till the deadline. We might initiate the first interview as soon as we receive suitable applications.

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’.

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.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.