Team leader at Wageningen Environmental Research

Your job

Are you an entrepreneurial and connecting team leader with a passion for nature conservation, restoration, and development? Do you want to work on the most urgent topics of our time and put our team on the map nationally and internationally? Then this is your chance!

Our Vegetation and Landscape Ecology team consists of approximately 20 professionals focused on ecological research for the conservation, restoration, development, and sustainable use of vegetation and landscapes. We investigate how management, policy, and pressure factors impact ecological processes, specifically targeting biodiversity, ecosystem services, and policy goals. With a strong societal focus, we contribute to solutions for urgent environmental issues.

As the Team Leader for Vegetation and Landscape Ecology, you are a content-driven leader and the face of the team. You actively explore new research and collaboration opportunities, stimulating and supporting knowledge development within the team's domain. With your acquisition skills, you build a future-proof portfolio and contribute to the (acquisition) strategy of Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR), particularly within the “Biodiversity” and “Land Use” programs. Additionally, you will be actively involved in some strategic projects.

As a team leader, you are the driving force behind the team’s success. You create a work environment where team members feel valued and can reach their full potential, with an eye for sustainable employability. You are responsible for ensuring the scientific quality and relevance of the research while overseeing the team’s financial results. You promote collaboration among researchers within the team and foster partnerships with project leaders, other teams, relevant Wageningen University chair groups, and other research groups (both nationally and internationally). As a team leader, you are a member of the Wageningen Environmental Research team leaders' council and report to the Research & Operations Institute Manager.

Your qualities

• An inspiring connector with a coaching leadership style who gives employees the space and trust to further develop themselves;
• Academically educated, preferably with relevant expertise in the field of environmental sciences;
• An entrepreneurial, customer- and results-oriented colleague; experience with acquisition is a plus;
• A relevant network within the research community;
• Preferably experienced in the integral management (content, financial, and personnel) of professionals and large-scale research projects.

Since a significant part of the work is conducted within the Dutch policy context, a strong command of the Dutch language is required. Furthermore, in our international work environment, English is increasingly used as well. For this role, a minimum English proficiency level of C1 (according to CEFR) is required.

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 € 5,042,- and €7,576,-  for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 13).

Additionally, a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. Initially, we offer you a one-year contract, which will be extended to a permanent contract upon mutual enthusiasm. Of course, we would be happy to discuss any questions you may have 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 Nina Vermeulen, Institute Manager Research & Operations, at nina.vermeulen-hubner@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Edgar Tijhuis, Corporate Recruiter, at 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.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including January 5th 2025. We schedule the first job interviews in the week of January 6th, so please keep these days open in your agenda.

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.