Marine Governance Researcher

You are a motivated and experienced researcher with expertise in marine governance who wants to help us make an impact on the future of the sustainable use and protection of the sea. In this role within Wageningen Marine Research, you will connect science, policy and practice, and play a key role in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research on social-ecological issues in marine systems. Your primary location will be IJmuiden, while also collaborating with colleagues at our locations in Den Helder and Yerseke.

As a Marine Governance Researcher, you will act as a bridge between the organisation and its internal and external networks, working on current themes such as sustainable North Sea management, stakeholder collaboration, innovation in fisheries, and the development of future-proof marine sectors.

Projects focus, among other things, on strengthening dialogue between government, science and stakeholders regarding the management of the North Sea ecosystem and other large water bodies, where emerging forms of multiple-use activities such as offshore wind energy and mariculture are playing an increasingly important role. You will also contribute to research on how social science expertise can help ensure that innovations and digital tools in the fisheries sector better align with the day-to-day practices of fishers. In addition, you will strengthen stakeholder engagement and facilitate workshops on ecological issues, including the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation and the further development of knowledge on the ecological impacts of offshore wind farms.

Your duties and responsibilities as a researcher include:

• initiating and delivering research projects on marine governance, sustainable marine resource use, and social-ecological challenges;
• bringing together government bodies, industry, civil society organisations and the scientific community in meaningful collaborative processes and stakeholder dialogues;
• leading interdisciplinary project teams and strengthening collaboration between social and natural science disciplines;
• translating societal and scientific developments into applied knowledge and innovative research proposals;
• building and maintaining a strong network within maritime sectors such as fisheries, mariculture, offshore wind energy, shipping, and non-governmental organisations, while representing our expertise to external stakeholders. 

In addition, you will write scientific publications and project reports, and deliver presentations to a wide range of audiences. You will also work closely with colleagues across Wageningen University & Research and with other research institutes, including Wageningen Social & Economic Research.

Wageningen Marine Research

Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) is a leading, independent research institute with locations in IJmuiden, Den Helder and Yerseke. The institute focuses on strategic and applied marine ecological research.

Its products and services are delivered on a project basis (more than 400 research projects per year) and range from field studies and full-scale experiments to exploratory laboratory studies, data management and modelling. The institute has modern research facilities and is ISO 9001 certified. Wageningen Marine Research is part of Wageningen University & Research and conducts research for national governments and dedicated research programmes, international R&D programmes, and contract research for private, public and NGO partners.

You are a creative and proactive professional who recognises opportunities and can translate them into concrete actions. You work decisively and take responsibility for delivering results. At the same time, you are highly collaborative and remain focused on achieving objectives within the agreed frameworks of WMR and our Governance team. You combine an entrepreneurial mindset and strong research skills with a practical approach, and you are able to turn ideas into feasible solutions.

You also have:

• a Master's degree in the social sciences and a PhD in a subject relevant to marine research;
• demonstrable experience in leading project teams and delivering results within agreed timescales, budgets, scope and quality standards, while maintaining strong stakeholder and client relationships;
• a successful track record in securing applied research projects in collaboration with external clients and funding partners;
• excellent command of the Dutch language, both written and spoken.

In our international working environment, communication is increasingly conducted in English. For this role, a language proficiency at C1 level is required. If you have not yet reached this level, we will of course support you, and you can make use of our language centre, Wageningen in’to Language.

You will notice that there are plenty of challenges to take on in this role. These challenges can also be seen as opportunities for development. Therefore, if you do not yet have the track record outlined in the vacancy, but you do have solid work experience and expertise, we would still very much encourage you to apply.

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 € 3,399.- and € 6,228.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10/11), depending on your professional experience. Additionally, for this role a working week of 32 to 36 hours is negotiable. 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 Xanthe Verschuur, researcher marine governance, via email: xanthe.verschuur@wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, Corporate Recruiter, via email: dax.teunissen@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 July 13, 2026. The first interviews will take place on 23 July 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before June 21, 2026.

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

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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