Laboratory Technician – Viral Zoonoses

As a laboratory technician at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) in Lelystad, you will contribute to relevant research into infectious diseases in animals, including zoonoses: diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. We are looking for a motivated research technician to support our research teams working on highly pathogenic arboviruses such as Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV) and highly pathogenic coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV).

Your work will be varied and challenging. One day you will be processing samples from a preclinical study, the next day you will be helping colleagues develop and optimize laboratory tests. Much of the work will take place in human biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories. Are you accurate, enthusiastic, and do you enjoy working in a team? Then you will fit right in with our team, and we would be enthusiastic to meet you.

Your role

Your duties and responsibilities as a technician are:

• (assisting with) collecting, recording, processing, and analyzing various samples in BSL-2 and human BSL-3 laboratories;
• performing (traditional) virological tests such as virus titrations and virus neutralization tests;
• applying molecular and cell biological, hematological, or immunological tests for research (e.g., qPCR, immunohistochemistry, blood cell counts, clinical chemistry, ELISA, EliSpot);
• recording/registering data and documenting your own work and results;
• checking data and results from other projects for quality control (QC) purposes.

Your team

You will be working at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) in Lelystad, the Netherlands, within the Viral Infections and Pathology (VIP) department. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team with expertise in highly pathogenic viruses, preclinical models, immunology, and pathology. You will work closely with experienced researchers and laboratory/biotechnicians.

At WBVR, you will not only have the opportunity to contribute to socially relevant research into infectious (animal) diseases, but we also offer you a varied, dynamic position in a well-equipped laboratory with high-quality facilities and equipment. In addition, you will find yourself in a pleasant and collegial working environment. You will work in varying teams with project leaders, researchers, and other technicians, often on multiple projects simultaneously. The lines of communication are short, and even after your induction period, you can count on support when you need it. Depending on your interests and ambitions, there is also plenty of room for professional growth and development.

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 recognize yourself in the following points:

• you enjoy making a valuable contribution to research into highly pathogenic infectious diseases;
• you work accurately, in a structured manner, and with an eye for detail;
• you have good communication skills and enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams;
• you coordinate your work effectively with project leaders and colleagues and maintain an overview of your tasks;
• you can plan and execute independently and demonstrate ownership;
• you are flexible and stress-resistant: you are good at switching between different projects and dealing with ad hoc situations;
• you have an affinity with animal research and are willing to process samples from stables or the dissection room;
• you also help with collecting these samples where necessary;
• you are proficient in Dutch.

You also have: 

• a completed higher professional education (HBO) degree in (micro)biology, biotechnology, or similar;
• practical experience working in a virological or microbiological laboratory and practical experience with classical virological techniques and cell culture;
• experience working under BSL-3 conditions is a strong plus (willingness to do so is essential);
• experience with various immunological and/or molecular/cell biological techniques (e.g., qPCR, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, ELISpot, flow cytometry) is a strong advantage.

If you do not yet have experience in all areas, but are eager to learn and enthusiastic, we would still like to invite you to apply.

Because we work with highly contagious pathogens (veterinary BSL-4 and human BSL-3), strict access and quarantine regulations may apply to specific activities. Any veterinary BSL-4 activities may require a quarantine period in accordance with EU regulations. This means that employees are not allowed to keep cloven-hoofed animals and must avoid contact with such animals or poultry production sites for 72 hours after specific laboratory work.

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;
• 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 € 2,979.- and € 4,374.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 7/8). 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. 

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 Nora Gerhards, Projectleader, via email: nora.gerhards@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 Monday April  27, 2026. The first interviews are scheduled soon after this date. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before April 4, 2026.

We review applications on a rolling basis, including before the closing date. As a result, the vacancy may close earlier than indicated.

Procedure

• A pre-employment screening is part of the selection procedure.
• Upon employment, we will request a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG).
• As part of our selection procedure, an assessment may be included in the process.

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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