Senior Benthic Ecologist

As a Senior Benthic Ecologist at Wageningen Marine Research, you will apply your expertise to research into the effects of human activities such as fisheries, sand extraction or climate change on marine benthic fauna, the restoration of shellfish habitats and/or the sustainable production of shellfish. You add value through your ability to analyse large datasets and/or through experimental field and laboratory research. You have an affinity with applied research and with working in complex policy and stakeholder environments. You initiate new research, including securing funding, and lead projects.

Your responsibilities as a benthic researcher include:

• leading and carrying out large and complex research projects;
• acting as a figurehead in the field of benthic ecology towards (potential) clients and the media;
• acquiring new research commissions within the field;
• preparing project proposals and quotations, conducting measurements, collecting data, analysing research results and reporting findings;
• presenting research outcomes to industry, sector organisations, civil society organisations, government bodies and fellow scientists;
• maintaining and expanding our national and international network.

Your team
From the Yerseke location, you will work with various project teams in different compositions. As a project leader, you provide both substantive and project-based direction to field staff and researchers, enabling them to carry out their work efficiently and to a high standard.

Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) is a leading marine ecological research institute employing approximately 190 people. Within WMR, work is carried out on field research, theoretical research, experimental research, data management and modelling. The institute has modern research facilities and is ISO 9001 certified. In addition, the chemical and benthos laboratories are ISO 17025 accredited. WMR is part of Wageningen University & Research.

You value substantive collaboration, both with colleagues within WUR and with researchers and partners outside the organisation; you embrace inter- and transdisciplinary research. You thrive on translating policy or societal challenges into research questions and carrying out the resulting research. With excellent communication skills, you are able to write high-quality reports and deliver engaging presentations.

You also have:

• a relevant university degree (a PhD in marine ecology);
• at least 10 years’ experience as a researcher in at least one of the above-mentioned research areas relevant to this position;
• proficiency in the Dutch language.

In our international working environment, English is increasingly used for communication. For this position, a B2 level of English is required. If you do not yet have this level, we will of course support you, and you can make use of our language centre, Wageningen in’to Language.

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 €4741,-. and €7068,-. for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 12). Additionally, for this role a contract for 32 to 36 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.

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 Jeroen Wijsman, via email: Jeroen.wijsman@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 2 March 2026. 
Internal candidates are preferred to apply before Monday 9 February 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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