Researcher Advanced Cultivation Systems Greenhouse Horticulture

at  Wageningen University Research

As researcher advanced cultivation systems you participate at our locations in Wageningen and Bleiswijk in research projects on optimal conditions for growth, development and production of crops. You contribute with your knowledge on plant physiology and advanced cultivation systems, and are acquainted with the effects of greenhouse climate, light, and application of water and nutrients. You process complex data sets to knowledge that you translate to innovative and autonomous cultivation strategies. You contribute to the development of a sustainable and innovative greenhouse sector. You maintain close contacts with growers and companies, and therefore you are acquainted with developments upon which you can act. You initiate research projects and are project leader.

Your tasks and responsibilities are, among others:

• you acquire and execute projects in the field of greenhouse horticulture, aimed at the design of new cultivation systems and optimization of current cultivation systems;
• you analyse experimental data and translate the findings to scientific knowledge and improved practice-oriented cultivation systems;
• you report findings and communicate these to funders and stakeholders;
• you collaborate with colleagues of different disciplines from within and outside the Business Unite, working in the fields of, among others, crop growth modelling, big data, AI, greenhouse climate, fertigation and crop protection;
• you maintain contact with clients, (local) governments, greenhouse suppliers, growers and other (international) knowledge institutions;

You are part of the research team on Physiology and Product Quality. In this team, we work together on understanding and improving crop production systems and harvestable products in greenhouse horticulture. We investigate the effects of greenhouse climate and cultivation systems on crop development, production and product quality, including the underlying plant processes such as photosynthesis and transpiration. We do experimental research in greenhouses and vertical farms, and develop sensory systems for quality assessment. We develop and use crop growth models, we work on the design and use of intelligent sensors and data-driven cultivation systems, and on the design of cultivation systems for new greenhouse crops. In this, we closely cooperate with the other research teams.

The Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture of Wageningen University & Research is a well-established international contract research organisation, working on innovative solutions for protected cultivation. Together with companies, government and research organisations, we work on research questions on greenhouse design, cultivation systems and crop protection, and translate these to applied and strategic research projects. The business unit Greenhouse Horticulture and Flower bulbs has approximately 160 employees working at two locations, viz., Wageningen and Bleiswijk. 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;
• 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 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 €3.166,- and €5.737- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10/11). Additionally, a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. You will initially receive a one-year contract, which will be extended to an open-ended contract upon in mutual enthusiasm.
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. 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. For an enthusiastic and ambitious researcher at our research locations in Wageningen and Bleiswijk, with:

• relevant education at MSc or PhD level in plant sciences, applied biology or another relevant education;
• experience in the design and execution of greenhouse trials, data processing and reporting;
• knowledge of physiological and morphological processes, their interaction with greenhouse climate, and the technical design of cultivation systems;
• knowledge of advanced measuring techniques in the fields of photosynthesis, water and nutrient balances, light interception and spectral composition of light.
• interest in sensors and crop monitoring.
• knowledge of and experience in greenhouse horticulture;
• capacity to work in project teams with colleagues and stakeholders, such as growers, horticultural supply companies or government;
• affinity with working in a contract research organization;
• fluent in Dutch and English;
• a driver’s license B;
• good communicative skills, team spirit, customer orientation and stress tolerance.

You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.
For more information about this position, please contact Anne Elings, teamlead Physiology and Product Quality, anne.elings@wur.nl tel. +31 6 53711095. Please note; he’s on holiday until the 12th of August.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Dax Teunissen, corporate recruiter vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl.

• you acquire and execute projects in the field of greenhouse horticulture, aimed at the design of new cultivation systems and optimization of current cultivation systems;
• you analyse experimental data and translate the findings to scientific knowledge and improved practice-oriented cultivation systems;
• you report findings and communicate these to funders and stakeholders;
• you collaborate with colleagues of different disciplines from within and outside the Business Unite, working in the fields of, among others, crop growth modelling, big data, AI, greenhouse climate, fertigation and crop protection;
• you maintain contact with clients, (local) governments, greenhouse suppliers, growers and other (international) knowledge institutions