Research assistant in Polar Shrub Tree-ring Analysis at the Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group

Your job

Are you enthusiastic about tree-rings, tundra ecosystems and lab work for high-end scientific research purposes? Do you want to contribute to our understanding of climate change impacts on Arctic vegetation? We are looking for an independent, analytical and organized research assistant to work on tree-ring analysis of challenging polar shrub wood samples in an exciting new research project at the Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation group (PEN).

As part of a new research project, we will study how various climate manipulations in the field affect the annual growth and wood vessel properties of polar willow. We are going to sample shrubs from a range of such experiments and reconstruct their annual radial growth via tree-ring analysis. Polar shrubs form challenging and intricate ring width patterns due to harsh environmental conditions. Your perseverance will be put to the test, but you will work with an experienced team and appropriate facilities (WUR DendroLab).

Your tasks will consist of:

• Lab and visual analysis of stem micro-thin sections to reconstruct polar shrub ring width and wood vessel timeseries (together with BSc and MSc students);
• Data quality checks, pre-processing and archiving, and potentially analysis;
• Testing and improving new tree-ring analysis workflows;
• Assisting with project outreach and, potentially, practical supervision of students;
• Potentially, supporting a sampling campaign in summer (no guarantee);

This is a fixed-term position of 12 months (1.0 fte). 

Your qualities

We are looking for a person that enjoys organizing and performing these tasks, in collaboration with staff, students and other researchers. Furthermore, we would like to ask candidates to demonstrate in their motivation letter and CV that they have:

• a BSc or MSc degree in environmental science or related field (requirement);
• interest in contributing to understanding of climate change impacts in polar vegetation (requirement);
• a patient, analytical and critical, but also pragmatic mindset, keeping up with scientific standards (requirement);
• good organizational skills in planning and execution of lab work and data management (requirement);
• interest or experience in working with BSc and MSc-level students (requirement);
• experience with (advantage) or willingness to learn (requirement) tree-ring and climate timeseries analysis in R
• experience with (or willingness to learn) wood anatomical analysis (highly advantageous);
• experience with (or willingness to learn) fieldwork in remote areas (advantage);

Please include the contact details of two references in your motivation letter or CV. There is no need to provide recommendation letters.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position C1 is required. If you do not yet have this level, we will of course help you and you can go to our language center Wageningen in'to Language.

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.

You will work here
You will be part of the Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group (https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/chair-groups/environmental-sciences/plant-ecology-and-nature-conservation-group.htm), a diverse, interdisciplinary team focused on preserving biodiversity and ecosystem functions, and understanding vegetation-climate-soil interactions. The group has led extensive research on the relationships between biodiversity and abiotic conditions, ecosystem functioning, and ecosystem services, in both natural and agricultural landscapes. Key projects investigate how restoration measures and farming practices can conserve biodiversity while safeguarding ecosystem services in a changing world, and how vegetation communities respond to a changing climate. You will mostly contribute to our vegetation-climate-soil interactions research line, with specific focus on polar plant communities. If you’re eager to employ your analytical skills for the study and conservation of Arctic flora, in a meaningful and supportive academic setting, we encourage you to apply!

We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• 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 / holiday hours by working more,  per week;
• 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. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between €3,502.- and €4,812.- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 9). Additionally, a contract for 0.9 FTE can be discussed. We offer you a one-year contract.

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 unique 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 19^th consecutive time.

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 Rúna Magnússon , runa.magnusson@wur.nl

For more information about the procedure, please contact Edgar Tijhuis, corporate recruiter, edgar.tijhuis@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.

The vacancy will be listed up to and including the 20^th of December 2024, the interviews are planned mid-January 2025 and the intended starting date is March 1^st 2025.

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.