Hr Business Partner

Are you a strong sparring partner as an HR Business Partner, proactive and focused on building connections, and do you enjoy driving (organisational) change? Would you also like to help shape the design and delivery of HR services? Then we are looking for you!

Within our HR team of the Environment Sciences Group, you will develop teams and the organisation as a whole, and contribute to the development of integrated HR policies. You advise and support various education and research groups in the implementation of these policies. You build strong professional working relationships with managers and, together with the Centre of Expertise (CoE), help shape Recruitment, Vitality & Health, and Learning & Development. Your key challenges within ESG lie in the areas of leadership, connection, change and culture.

Your key tasks and responsibilities as an HR Business Partner include: 

• acting as a sparring partner and adviser to managers on organisational development and team-related cases;
• contributing ideas and playing an active role in the development and implementation of strategic workforce plans and organisational initiatives, in close collaboration with business controllers;
• shaping and driving the HR agenda, with shared responsibility for the successful ESG‑wide implementation of HR policies; in the coming years, the focus will be on organisational development, cultural change, leadership, social safety and talent development;
• participating in various HR domains and themes across WUR.

Your team

You will work closely with our dedicated ESG HR team, consisting of 11 colleagues. As a team, we strive to create a culture where collegiality, authenticity and collaboration are key pillars. An informal way of working together and a good sense of humour are very important to us. Together, we aim to foster an open and transparent culture. As a team, we value a hands-on mindset and are looking for someone who is keen to contribute to the further professionalisation of our services.

ESG comprises the Department of Environmental Sciences (20 chair groups), which conducts fundamental research and provides education, and Wageningen Environmental Research (13 WEnR research teams), which focuses on applied research. ESG has a strong international orientation in terms of its staff, education and research activities.

WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientationyear” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant”.

You are innovative and curious, which means you stay well informed about new developments. We expect data‑driven advice and proactive solutions. With your strong advisory skills, empathy, diplomacy and persuasive ability, you are able to build support and initiate (organisational) change. You are a critical sparring partner and do not shy away from having robust discussions.

In addition, you have:

• HBO‑/WO‑level working and thinking ability (applied sciences or academic level);
• at least 6–8 years of experience as an HR Business Partner or HR Adviser;
• experience within a complex project‑based organisation, which is a strong advantage;
• a good command of both Dutch and English.

In our international working environment, communication increasingly takes place in English. For this role, an English language proficiency level of B2 is required.

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 with a maximum of € 5,478.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10). This position is for 32 hours. We will offer you at least a one-year contract. Of course, we are happy to discuss any questions you may have 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.

Working hours and working days can be agreed by mutual arrangement; however, Friday is our HR Business Partner team day, so you are expected to be on campus on that day.

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 Erica Steen via email: erica.steen@wur.nl, Head HR Environment Sciences Group.

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

Internal applicants can apply until Thursday May 7, 2026 and everyone can apply until Monday June 1, 2026. For applications submitted before that time, we are happy to start the interview process earlier. So don’t hesitate to apply, we might speak to each other soon.

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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