Project & Technical Manager @ UNLOCK Modular Bioreactor Platform

Do you want to work at the forefront of microbial innovation? As a Project & Technical Manager at the UNLOCK Modular Bioreactor Platform you will enable high-quality research by combining scientific expertise with technical and project management skills.

You will support researchers from academia and industry in designing and executing experiments, ensuring they make the most of the platform’s advanced capabilities. 

Are you energized by high-tech research environments, enjoy working with diverse stakeholders, and want to contribute to cutting-edge microbial innovation? Then this could be your next career move.

What will you do?

As Project & Technical Manager, you will support and facilitate research projects carried out by users of the UNLOCK Modular Bioreactor Platform, part of the UNLOCK large-scale open infrastructure for microbial research. You combine scientific expertise with technical coordination and user support to ensure high-quality research outcomes.

Your key responsibilities include:

• user support and proposal development: Facilitating user projects, advising on experimental design and feasibility, contributing to proposal writing, and supporting the acquisition of new users in close collaboration with the Platform Manager;
• coordination within UNLOCK: Aligning projects with other UNLOCK platforms, including FAIR Data and Biodiscovery, and co-developing analytical plans together with dedicated analytical staff;
• project execution and training: Acting as the primary point of contact throughout the project lifecycle, providing training on facilities, workflows, bioreactor modules, and FAIR data practices to enable independent operation;
• technical configuration and commissioning: Adapting and configuring bioreactor set-ups where needed, performing test experiments (e.g., for new sensors), and supporting the commissioning of new platform elements;
• method validation and platform development: Assisting in the validation of new analytical methods and contributing to the continuous development and optimization of the platform.

You will work under the supervision of Dr. David Strik, Platform Manager of the Modular bioreactor Platform. Here you are part of a team working with technicians, analysts and colleagues that work in UNLOCK and/or the Environmental Technology Group. CLICK HERE for a short video about UNLOCK or visit the UNLOCK website to check-out more details of our bioreactor modules and advanced analytical equipment. 

You will work here 

The laboratories of the Modular Bioreactor Platform are physically located at the chair-group Environmental Technology of Wageningen University & Research.

You are the colleague we are looking for if you have:

• a PhD or equivalent higher education degree in environmental (bio)technology or a closely related field, or equivalent relevant experience;
• demonstrated experience in supervising students and/or guiding researcher, as well as hands-on experience in support on designing and executing bioreactor experiments. Experience with advanced microscopic or spectrometric techniques is an asset;
• excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain the platform possibilities clearly to diverse audiences;
• ability to work effectively in international, multidisciplinary research teams.

You also possess : 

We particularly welcome candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas of the Modular Bioreactor Platform:

• standard bioreactors;
• high-pressure bioreactors;
• bioelectrochemical systems;
• wetland systems;
• experience with advanced microscopic or spectrometric techniques (e.g. Raman or FTIR spectroscopy) is considered a strong asset.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C2.

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”.

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 €5538,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). Additionally, a contract for 32 hours a week 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 by another 2 years.  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. 

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 David Strik, Platform Manager, via email: David.strik@wur.nl. 
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Evelien Janssen , corporate recruiter, via email: Evelien.janssen@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 the 20th of April, 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before the 23rd of March, 2026. Don’t wait with your application till the deadline. We might initiate the first interviews during the application period and (if successful) close the application period earlier then the 20th of April.

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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