Technician Insect Virology

We are looking for a technician to carry out tasks to support ongoing research in insect virology. In this role, you will be responsible for the continuous rearing of several insect species and you will assist researchers and students in preparing and carrying out their experiments. You will work within the Insect Virus group within the Laboratory of Virology, alongside another technician and various PhD candidates, postdocs and MSc and BSc students. 

You will as a technician contribute to the successful execution of laboratory operations and support the work of employees and students. Within the chair’s research group, you will be part of a team of 6 technicians, who have divided a number of general organizational and administrative tasks amongst themselves and can take over each other’s duties where necessary. 

Your duties and responsibilities include: 

• Caring for and maintaining insect cultures;
• Assisting with and carrying out experiments with insects;
• Assisting with and carrying out laboratory work;        
• Carrying out general laboratory management tasks;
• Collaborating with technicians, PhD candidates, postdocs and students. 

Your team

You will work with in the Insect Virology group, as part of the NWO Vici project ‘Invisible influencers: How hidden virus infections shape insect life’ led by Dr. Vera Ros. The project is aimed at disentangling how the insect’s virome (i.e. the assemblage of viruses) impacts insect immune responses, fitness and behaviour, and thereby influences interactions with and effects of incoming virus infections. The Insect Virology group is part of the chair group Laboratory of Virology, and research in the Insect Virology group focuses on multiple aspects of insect-virus interactions including mechanisms behind viral manipulation of insect behaviour, virus discovery, covert virus infections (i.e. infections without clear symptoms) in insects and the use of viruses for biological control of insect pests. 

You will work here 

The Laboratory of Virology is part of the Plant Sciences Group of Wageningen University. It is located at the Wageningen Campus in the Radix building. We provide virology teaching at Wageningen University within BSc and MSc programs across various disciplines. The Virology chair group comprises around 35 staff members, including research staff, technicians, PhD candidates, postdocs and visiting researchers. Each year, an average of 25 BSc and MSc students undertake their final-year research within Virology.  The Virology group conducts fundamental research into plant viruses, insect viruses and arboviruses. Where possible, the knowledge generated is translated into applications aimed at improving food production and human and animal health.

You have completed a higher professional education (HBO) degree as a (micro)biological technician and have experience in working with insects. Experience in molecular techniques is an advantage. You are a driven, eager-to-learn person who carries out experiments with precision. You are well able to work independently and can switch between tasks with ease. You have good communication skills and enjoy collaborating with others to ensure the success of projects. In addition, you are willing to carry out structured tasks to rear insects as well as general support tasks. Furthermore, you are keen to broaden your knowledge in the field and, where necessary, undertake training courses to acquire additional skills. 

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position, it is essential that you have a good command of the English language to be able to communicate effectively with people of all nationalities. The language level required for this role is B2. If you do not yet have this level, we will of course help you.

As you can see, there are plenty of challenges ahead for you. These challenges can also be seen as opportunities for development. So, if you do not yet have the track record specified in the job advertisement but do have solid work experience, we would still like to invite you to apply.

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 gross salary of between €3.057 and €3.985 for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 7). As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended for up to 4 years on good performance. 

If you are an internal employee, your current contract is the starting point. Ask your HR Business Partner about your situation specifically. 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.

Scale 7 up to and including 10

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”.

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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 Dr. Vera Ros, Associate Professor, via +31-317-484461 or email: vera.ros@wur.nl .
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Noorien Abbas, Corporate Recruiter, via vacaturemeldingen.psg@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 28 August 2026. The first interviews are scheduled in the week of 7 September 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 18 July 2026.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.

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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