Postdoc researcher: TALK. Pandemic research readiness

For the project “TALK. Pandemic research readiness: citizens’ storytelling, networks and infrastructure”, we are looking for a Postdoctoral or Senior Researcher.

The Health and Society Group of Wageningen University will soon begin the three‑year research project “TALK. Pandemic research readiness: citizens’ storytelling, networks and infrastructure”. During the COVID-19 pandemic, limited citizen involvement in problem-solving reduced support for policies, fuelling societal tensions and resistance. Citizen Science can play a crucial role in ensuring an effective response during crises. It provides valuable insights, empowers citizens, and builds trust in science and policymaking.

This project enables citizens to share their insights by:

1. Strengthening existing networks of civic organisations, participation- and CS hubs.
2. Developing a validated, scalable, and sustainable infrastructure to collect citizens’ stories.
3. Enabling citizens to participate in the interpretation of the stories collected.

We will work with citizens, patients, scientists and policymakers to adapt, pilot, and evaluate this infrastructure. The goal is to enable a faster, more inclusive, and effective response to future health crises. This will help create smarter policies, empower citizens, and increase resilience at all levels.

The project is funded by ZonMW and carried out in collaboration with Stichting Mijn Data Onze Gezondheid (MD|OG), RIVM, Nederland Zorgt Voor Elkaar (NLZVE), the University of Twente, and various other local and national organizations and citizens.

Your Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Stimulate and facilitate collaboration and progress of the project with all stakeholders at various levels
• Conduct action research in close collaboration with partners, organizations, and citizens, and analyse and report the findings
• Contribute to strengthening networks, developing sustainable infrastructure, manuals, guidelines, training, and the scaling up and broader implementation of results
• Contribute to crisis protocols, communication strategies, ethical frameworks, and publish in (scientific) journals

Your Team

Within Wageningen University, you will work in the Health and Society Group. You will collaborate closely with researchers from Wageningen University, MD|OG, RIVM, NLZVE, the University of Twente, citizens, and various other local and national organizations.

You will work here

The Health and Society Group focuses on major challenges affecting human and planetary health. Whether we focus on individuals, communities, policy issues, or broader environmental concerns, we integrate these aspects into our teaching and research to promote societal health and well‑being.

We study topics such as:

• The influence of the physical environment on lifestyle and health practices
• The influence of friends and family on (un)healthy choices
• The effects of policy on population and environmental health

Our approach combines scientific insights with participatory methods to contribute to a healthier world. We work closely with practice partners to achieve our research goals and increase the impact of our work.

You are a motivated and action‑oriented researcher with a strong focus on societal impact, eager to contribute to citizen science in policymaking during crisis periods. Above all, you are a connector and co‑developer who enjoys working with people from various organizations in the Netherlands and beyond.

You have experience with qualitative research methods such as interviews, focus groups, and participatory action research. You bring a keen interest in optimising validated, scalable, and sustainable infrastructures for collecting citizen stories.

You also bring:

• Experience with research and/or a completed PhD in health sciences, social sciences or a related field.
• Experience in designing, conducting, and analysing social scientific research
• A proactive, action‑oriented mindset and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments
• Strong interpersonal skills and genuine interest in what motivates people
• The ability to make decisions and take responsibility as a part of a team

As the research involves collaboration with Dutch organisations and citizens, fluency in Dutch (both spoken and written) is essential. Applicants are therefore requested to submit their cover letter in Dutch.

If you see challenges in this role, consider them opportunities for development. Even if you do not yet meet all criteria but have solid work experience, we warmly encourage you to apply

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• 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. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3546,- and € 6.433,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10/11). This is an appointment with 0.8 FTE for 3 years. We initially offer a one-year contract that, if possible within the (economic) organizational circumstances, can be extended by 2 more years based on satisfactory 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.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 

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. 

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, dual career programs 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 Prof. dr. ir. Annemarie Wagemakers – T +31 (0)317 482613 – annemarie.wagemakers@wur.nl or  Dr. ir. Gaston Remmers – T +31 (0)6 41374102 – g.remmers@mdog.nl

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Noorien Abbas, Corporate Recruiter, via recruitment.ssg@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.

Interested candidates should submit the following: 

• A cover letter outlining their interest and suitability for the project (max 2 pages).
• A CV, including relevant research experiences. The CV should include contact details for two relevant references (max 4 pages).
• A sample of written work that demonstrates your research and writing ability. Note: if you submit a multi-authored piece, please explicitly indicate your contribution to the chosen output. 

You can apply up to and including 10 May 2026. The first interviews are scheduled on 18 May 2026. Internal candidates are encouraged to apply before 19 April 2026. If internal candidates apply, interviews will be held on Thursday 23 April 2026.

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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