(Senior) Scientist Genetics of Crops for a Bioeconomy

 

We are looking for

Are you a plant geneticist with interest in developing better crops for a Circular Bioeconomy? Are you a highly motivated researcher with interest in acquiring funding and developing new research lines in genetics and breeding of oil and protein crops? Do you like to supervise young scientists and collaborate with colleagues inside and outside Wageningen UR - Plant Breeding? Then this vacancy may be of interest to you.

Climate change and the growing world population urges the need to reduce the use of fossil resources and to develop a Circular Bioeconomy. Research in this field is covered by the Biobased Economy group at Wageningen UR - Plant Breeding and the growing attention for this theme on both the national and the European agenda provides many research opportunities. The sought scientist will be exploiting these opportunities and developing new research lines in genetics and breeding of crops for a bioeconomy, with a focus on oil and protein crops.

We ask

We are looking for a researcher with a track record in crop genetics and interested in applying this knowledge to understand the mechanisms behind the content and quality of different plant components, and use that knowledge to develop new breeding tools and improved crops. We prefer candidates with experience in molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, (quantitative) genetics.
The candidates should have most of the following qualifications:

• PhD in Plant sciences and good knowledge of plant genetics and genomics;
• Several years of experience after the PhD in plant genetics and genomics;
• Able to translate fundamental knowledge in carbon partitioning in the plant into biomass quality, and use that knowledge to develop breeding tools;
• Experience and interest in acquisition of funding for research
• Interest in establishing new lines of research
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Collaborative personality, interested in working with colleagues and PhD and MSc students

We offer

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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 4%;
• 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 €3.834 and €5.989 for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research. A contract of 0.8 FTE is possible. The contract will be initially for 2 years with the possibility of extension and a permanent contract.

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.

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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

More information

Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Dr Luisa M. Trindade, Full Professor Bioresources Breeding and Genetics and Group leader Biobased Economy, luisa.trindade@wur.nl, or Dr. M.J.M. (René) Smulders, business unit manager Plant Breeding, rene.smulders@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 10^th August 2022. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on 22 August 2022.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page.

A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

We are

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 7.200 employees and 13.200 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

Plant Breeding, Wageningen University & Research (https://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Research-Institutes/plant-research/Plant-Breeding.htm) is a merged unit of Wageningen Research and Wageningen University with around 200 people including MSc and PhD students and guest workers. It is a highly international group with more than 30 nationalities, organized in ten research groups. We conduct fundamental, strategic and applied research and provide teaching at all educational (BSc, MSc and PhD) levels. Our research focusses on the dissemination of the genetic basis of traits which are relevant in order to achieve a sustainable agri- and horticulture. We conduct this research often together or in partnership with breeding companies, local, regional and state governments.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

Apply now