Field Officer Freshwater Fisheries

Do you enjoy variety in your work and would you be happy to regularly work on the IJsselmeer and other inland waters, and occasionally at sea? Do you want to contribute to fish and fisheries research and do you enjoy working as part of a team? If so, we have a great vacancy for you at Wageningen Marine Research as a freshwater fisheries field assistant!

With your practical experience on the water, and with fish and fisheries, you will ensure that the right research can be carried out.

Your duties and responsibilities include: 

• multi-day boat trips (on the IJsselmeer and Markermeer, occasionally at sea) during several periods throughout the year;
• collecting data during fish monitoring on research vessels, on board commercial fishing vessels or during day trips on land;
• sample processing in WMR’s research facilities;
• logistical organisation of fieldwork;
• recording research data, identifying any anomalies and delivering data to researchers.

You will be working with various colleagues in different project groups in the field of freshwater fisheries. You will be based at the office and research facilities of Wageningen Marine Research in IJmuiden. 

You are a meticulous, proactive and solution-oriented team player with strong communication skills and a professional attitude towards fishermen. You are also able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

You also have: 

• An MBO-4 qualification or equivalent and a keen interest in fisheries research. Some experience in (freshwater) fisheries or knowledge of (freshwater) fish species is an advantage;
• a Category B driving licence. A trailer licence (E) and/or a boat licence is an advantage. It is possible to obtain these licences;
• flexibility in your working hours, due to multi-day sailing assignments;
• proficiency in the Dutch language at B2 level.

Please notice:

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;
• sabbatical leave, 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 € 2.824,- and € 3.567,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 6). As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance. 

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

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 position, please contact Sieto Verver, teamleader via +31 317-487045 or email: sieto.verver@wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van’t Land, Corporate Recruiter, via recruitment.asg@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 to and including May, 11 2026. Internal candidates are invited to apply by 16 April 2026.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.

A nautical medical examination is also required in connection with the intended sailing activities.

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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