Senior Researcher Nitrogen in Agriculture

Are you an enthusiastic and analytically minded senior researcher with extensive knowledge of agriculture, nitrogen, soil, and nutrient management? Do you have substantial experience in research, project leadership, and acquisition? Then we are looking for you!

Due to increasing demand for our research, we are seeking a senior researcher with extensive knowledge of the role of nitrogen in Dutch and European agriculture and its effects on emissions to air and on soil quality. You will contribute to projects that evaluate (inter)national and provincial nitrogen policies, improve and apply emission models, and work on projects in the field of sustainable agriculture. You are capable of conducting independent research and publishing in reports and international journals. You are customer- and results-oriented and a team player. You have strong communication skills and can quickly summarize large amounts of research information into clear publications and advice for clients. You have a large (international) network and extensive experience in leading projects.

Your team
You will collaborate with your colleagues from the Sustainable Soil Use team, a dynamic group with both experienced and early‑career researchers. In addition, you will work with researchers from other organizations such as PBL and RIVM and with international partners.

Where you will work
You will join the Sustainable Soil Use team, which focuses on research on sustainable soil management and thereby contributes to more efficient use of resources, mitigating climate change, and reducing nutrient losses in agriculture. In doing so, the team supports sustainable agricultural production and improved soil, water, and air quality.

You have an analytical and pragmatic mindset and experience in modelling the impacts of agriculture on the environment. You possess strong communication skills and excellent command of both Dutch and English. You are customer‑oriented toward clients and stakeholders.

You also have:

• A PhD in soil science, earth sciences, environmental sciences, agronomy, or a related field
• Good knowledge of agriculture, nitrogen emissions, and nutrient management
• At least 5 years of experience with applied research and project management
• Experience in acquiring large research projects

In our international working environment, communication is increasingly conducted in English. For this position, a C1 language level is required. If you are not yet at this level, we will of course support you—our Wageningen in’to Language centre is available to help you develop your skills.

As you can see, this position offers plenty of challenges. These can also be viewed as opportunities for development. So, if you do not yet meet every requirement listed in the vacancy but do have solid professional experience, we would still very much like to invite you to apply.

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 €3.399,- and €6.228,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10-11). 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. 

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.

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 Communitypage 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 Gert Jan Reinds, teamlead Sustainable Soil Use, via 0317-486508 of e-mail: gertjan.reinds@wur.nl and/or Gerard Velthof, Senior researcher / Special professor, via gerard.velthof@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 up to and including 11 May 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 19 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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