Research Assistant in Freshwater Fisheries

Your job

Do you feel at home on the many freshwater bodies the Netherlands has to offer, whether on a boat or with a fishing rod? Do you get excited about everything related to fish and fisheries? If so, the role of Research Assistant in Freshwater Fisheries is perfect for you!

As a Research Assistant in Freshwater Fisheries for Wageningen Marine Research (WMR), you will be involved in various fisheries research projects. This challenging and dynamic role will often see you out on Lake IJssel and other Dutch inland waters. With your practical experience on the water and with fish, you ensure that the right research can be carried out effectively.

Your tasks and responsibilities as a research assistant include:

• Spending significant time on the water, where you supervise activities related to fisheries research. These trips range in duration from one day to a full week.
• Collecting data during fish monitoring activities (e.g., electrofishing) and measuring or dissecting fish on research vessels. This work takes place on commercial fishing boats or in the research facilities of WMR (e.g., for eel and zander).
• Carrying out lab-based tasks (e.g., microscopy or video analysis) according to established protocols in WMR’s research facilities.
• Recording research data in WMR’s software systems and flagging any anomalies.

You will collaborate with various colleagues in different project teams focusing on freshwater fisheries. Your base of operations will be the offices and research facilities of Wageningen Marine Research in IJmuiden.

Your qualities

You are a precise, proactive, and solution-oriented team player with strong communication skills and a professional attitude toward fishermen.

You also bring:

• A strong interest in fisheries and fish research. Experience in freshwater fisheries is an advantage.
• Vocational education level (MBO).
• Flexibility in your working hours due to multi-day boat trips.
• A category B driving licence. A trailer licence (category E) and a boat licence are a plus, with opportunities to obtain these if needed.
• Proficiency in the Dutch language.

Please note: due to immigration restrictions it is not possible to obtain a working permit for this specific position if you are from outside of the European Union. If you are eligible for a search year or already are in possession of a work permit without sponsorship we welcome you to apply. 

We offer you

CAO WR
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 December 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 € 2.496,- and €3.365,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 6). In addition, an extra allowance applies for multi-day or multi-week boat trips. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland and with your work you have a clear and positive impact on society. At WUR we work on the most pressing challenges of our time, like climate change and feeding the world in a sustainable way. 

Coming from abroad
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.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Eric Visser, teamlead, via eric.visser@wur.nl 

For more information about the procedure, please contact Dax Teunissen, corporate recruiter via recruitment.asg@wur.nl 

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including January 26th, 2025. 

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.
 

We are

Wageningen University & Research
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, 7,700 employees (7,000 fte), 2,500 PhD and EngD candidates, 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.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.