Farming Assistant

As an Arable Farming Assistant within Open Field Crops, you will be at the heart of the future of agriculture. At the experimental fields of Wageningen University & Research in Lelystad, you will contribute to innovations in arable and horticultural production. This includes research into new crop varieties, innovative cultivation methods, fertilisation, crop protection, and modern mechanisation. Please note; a good command of the Dutch language, both spoken and written is a strong demand for this role.

Together with your colleagues, you will ensure that experimental fields and crops are maintained to the highest standards. You will work with a variety of arable crops and modern machinery, making an important contribution to research that helps farmers and growers further develop their businesses.

What will you be doing?

• Operating modern agricultural machinery for activities such as sowing, planting, fertilising and harvesting;
• Managing and maintaining a range of crops on the experimental fields;
• Establishing, carrying out and supporting field trials for research purposes;
• Inspecting, maintaining and recording the use of machinery and equipment;
• Working closely with researchers and colleagues to ensure the successful delivery of field trials.

Your working environment

You will join an enthusiastic and dedicated team within the Open Field Crops experimental farm. The work is varied and hands-on, ranging from fieldwork and operating machinery to supporting scientific research. No two seasons—and no two working days—are the same. Your base will be Lelystad, where you will work at one of the most important research locations of Wageningen University & Research.

Why choose this role?

Because it offers the best of both worlds: working with crops and working with modern agricultural technology. You will see the direct results of your efforts while contributing to the future of arable farming in the Netherlands.

You have an interest in arable farming and enjoy working outdoors with crops and modern agricultural machinery. You are practical, proactive and hands-on, with a careful and accurate approach that ensures field trials and operational activities are carried out effectively. You are also a strong team player who is flexible and able to switch easily between different tasks throughout the growing season.

In addition, you have:

• A completed agricultural vocational qualification (MBO) or higher professional education qualification (HBO);
• Knowledge of and experience in crop production (desirable);
• Experience operating agricultural machinery and equipment, and a tractor driving licence;
• A crop protection spraying certificate, or the willingness to obtain one;
• A good command of the Dutch language.

Due to Dutch immigration laws, candidates from outside the EU/EFTA zone, can usually not be hired for this position. More information can be found on the website of the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service.

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;
• study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality;
• 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 € 2749 and €3567 for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 5-6, depending on knowledge and experience). Additionally, For this role a contract for 24 to 36 hours can be discussed. We initially offer a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the organisation’s financial situation.

Due to Dutch immigration laws, candidates from outside the EU/EFTA zone, can usually not be hired for this position. More information can be found on the website of the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service.

For more information about the position, please contact Johannes Schra,Bedrijfsleider, via0320-2 91290 or johannes.schra@wur.nl

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, corporate recruiter, via vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl
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 to and including August 16. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before July 11.

Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.

​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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