Environmental Fate Modeller

Are you passionate about modelling the behaviour of chemicals in soil and water to support sustainable agriculture and environmental protection? Do you want to turn complex system understanding  into insights that shape policy and safeguard ecosystems?Do you enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams with high societal impact?

Then this position at the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) team at Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) might be perfect for you.

Your Job

We support policymakers by providing science-based tools and methods for environmental risk assessment in the regulatory context.

Our projects operate at the forefront of science, aiming to uncover new pathways and methodologies that will shape future ERA.

We develop advanced and integrated models and approaches at both local and landscape scales covering the pathways of chemicals to the environment, the fate as well as the impact on non-target organisms.

You will contribute to risk assessment projects within the Environmental Risk Assessment team. You will be responsible for model development, modelling, programming, and interpreting results to support regulatory and research objectives.

Your duties and responsibilities include:
- develop and apply environmental fate and behaviour models for soil, surface water, and groundwater systems;
- implement and improve model algorithms;
- analyse and interpret simulation results for risk assessments;
- collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on exposure and ecotoxicology projects;
- contribute to scientific publications and strategic development.

Your Team
You will work with the Environmental Risk Assessment team at Wageningen Environmental Research, a leading group of experts in pesticide risk assessment and modelling. The team consists of 30+ professionals collaborating with government, NGOs, and industry.

You are a proactive team player with strong conceptual and analytical skills. You also possess:

• a Master’s or PhD in environmental sciences, hydrology, or related field, from a university of which the level of the diplomas is recognized by the Netherlands;
• minimal 3  years of experience in environmental modelling;
• excellent and demonstrated Knowledge of processes controlling behaviour and transport of chemicals in the environment;
• strong and demonstrated programming skills in Python; other languages (R, Fortran, C) and affinity with model quality are an advantage;
• solid understanding of mathematical concepts and numerical modelling;
• strong scientific writing skills with a track record of publications;
• ability to work in a project-driven environment, balancing scientific quality versus meeting financial results and deadlines, and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously;
• capability to be a customer-oriented, motivated, and committed team player who can collaborate across disciplines;
• at least C1 level of communication skills (writing and speaking) in English. Knowledge of the Dutch language, or willingness to learn it, is a prerequisite. The priority will be given to applicants from the Netherlands..

Beyond a competitive salary and excellent benefits, we offer flexibility, hybrid work options, and a vibrant international campus where innovation thrives. You will have access to professional development opportunities and collaborate with leading experts in environmental risk science.

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 €3,399 and €5,478 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 32 hours can be discussed. 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 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.

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.

For more information about the content of this position, please contact Sara Ahrari, Team Leader, phone: + 31 317  480 089, or by e-mail: sara.ahrari@wur.nl

For any other questions on the procedure you can contact Jouke van Oostenbrugge, recruiter, by e-mail: jouke.vanoostenbrugge@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.

Apply via our website by 12 January 2026. Interviews are scheduled for the week of 26 January 2026. Please upload your motivation letter, CV, and two references.

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.

​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.

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