Socio‑economic fisheries researcher

Would you like to help tackle the challenging policy issues facing the fisheries sector in order to achieve a sustainable and future‑proof fishery? Then the position of socio‑economic fisheries researcher may be perfect for you!

As a socio‑economic researcher in the field of fisheries, you work in varying, interdisciplinary project teams. Together with your team, you answer socio‑economic knowledge questions about fisheries and natural aquatic resources. Examples of projects you may work on include impact analyses: in these, you calculate the socio‑economic consequences of policy decisions and developments for the Dutch fisheries sector using scenarios and models. You will also conduct research on the size and developments within the fish‑processing industry.

You will often collaborate with other parts of Wageningen University & Research, such as Wageningen Marine Research. You act as a sparring partner for your colleagues, present research results, and provide independent advice on the course to follow.

You will be working in the expertise group “Performance & Impact Agrosectors,” one of the twelve groups within Wageningen Social & Economic Research. This expertise group consists of approximately 35 enthusiastic professionals who are committed to a more sustainable world and apply their knowledge of the agricultural and fisheries sectors to that aim. We conduct economic sector studies and offer independent advice based on scientific insights. Our projects are diverse, ranging from monitoring and scenario studies, measuring sustainability performance of sectors and companies, to policy evaluations and explorations. With our studies, we contribute to addressing current issues in the agricultural and fisheries sectors, such as future resilience and innovative capacity.

• You are a team player with excellent communication skills in both Dutch and English.

You also have:

• A completed MSc in an economic field or quantitative marine science
• Knowledge of and affinity with the fisheries sector in Western Europe
• Preferably some experience with quantitative research methods
• A good understanding of complex political‑administrative dynamics
• Preferably a network within the fisheries sector

You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be viewed as development opportunities. So if you do not yet have the full track record requested in the vacancy but do have solid professional experience, we warmly encourage 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 28 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.

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 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 Mark Manshanden (Coördinator of the expertisegroup Performance & Impact Agricultural sectors), tel +31618868752, email: mark.manshanden@wur.nl
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jouke van Oostenbrugge, 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.

You can apply up to and including 18 May 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 26 April 2026.

We review applications on a rolling basis, including before the closing date. As a result, the vacancy may close earlier than indicated.

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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