Policy and Governance Researcher Regional Development & Land Use Team

Are you an experienced policy researcher or public administration expert who wants to contribute to research on complex issues that enable the spatial transitions the Netherlands is facing? Do you have strong project leadership skills and a broad, integrated perspective? Then apply now!

As a Policy and Governance Researcher within the Regional Development & Land Use Team, you will work on the major challenges and transitions that come together in regional development, with a particular focus on rural areas in the Netherlands. These include the restoration of nature and improving biodiversity, the agricultural transition, the energy transition, climate adaptation, and the spatial and social issues that come with these developments. Addressing these challenges requires sound policies and effective collaboration between government, knowledge partners, social organizations, entrepreneurs, and society as a whole.

The challenges of today call for solidpolicy research in the form of policy analyses and evaluations with concrete recommendations, as well as interactive research developed together with the various actors involved in the field and within ongoing processes. How effective is current policy, and how can it be improved? How do processes unfold, and how can we guide or adjust them during implementation — in other words, how can we learn through evaluation?

With your fresh perspective and expertise, you contribute to both short- and long-term solutions. You will work in a team on policy-oriented approaches that support a systemic change, collaborating with regional partners and engaging in dialogue with society. You are able to translate research results into practical policy recommendations in collaboration with policy actors. You have an open and flexible attitude, can navigate easily through (regional) processes, and have an eye for innovative research methods.
You will work as part of a team on various projects, such as evaluations of integrated regional processes, sectoral or integrated policy programs, or the design of new policies. While the current focus is strongly on rural policy, there are opportunities to expand towards urban environments. Our clients include the national government, provinces, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), and local governments. Although the primary focus is on Dutch governance and policy, there are also opportunities to work in an international context.

As a project leader, you will manage mono- and multidisciplinary research projects, ensuring the quality, policy relevance, and scientific integrity of the work, as well as delivering constructive recommendations. You will also contribute to the integration of policy sciences with other social, natural, and spatial disciplines.

• You hold a university degree in Public Administration or Policy Sciences, or an equivalent policy-oriented field, and have at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge in one or more of the following areas is an advantage: environmental policy, nature policy, sustainability, integrated regional development, rural or urban transitions, public participation, or the Environment and Planning Act.
• You are analytically strong, precise in your work, and committed to delivering high-quality results.
• You have extensive experience with (qualitative) social science research methods such as learning-oriented evaluation and practical policy research based on case studies for governments, and you have a keen eye for innovative research methods and critical reflection.
• You are skilled in project leadership and management and have experience in acquiring new projects.
• You have excellent writing and communication skills. You work independently, are a team player, and take a collaborative approach.
• You have excellent oral and written communication skills in both Dutch and English.

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 of between €4.045,- and €6.228,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11). 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 - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions 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.

Coming from abroad
Please be aware that a good command of Dutch and English is required for this position.
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 Bertram de Rooij, teamlead team leader Regional Development and Spatial Use, bertram.derooij@wur.nl, of Wiebren Kuindersma, Policy and Governance Researcher, wiebren.kuindersma@wur.nl .

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jouke van Oostenbrugge, Corporate Recruiter, via jouke.vanoostenbrugge@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 until 25 november 2025. The first interviews are scheduled for 12 and 14 Januari 2025.

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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