Team leader Applied Ecology in agrosystems

at  Wageningen University Research

WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE MISSION OF WUR, PARTICULARLY THAT OF AGROSYSTEMS RESEARCH, BY LEADING A TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS AND MANAGING LARGER, COMPLEX RESEARCH PROJECTS? DO YOU HAVE A KEEN EYE FOR YOUR COLLEAGUES’ WELL-BEING AND ENJOY EMPOWERING THEM TO PERFORM AT THEIR BEST? IS YOUR PASSION FOR IMPACTFUL APPLIED RESEARCH STILL UNFULFILLED? THEN THIS IS THE JOB FOR YOU.

As a Team Leader at Agrosystems Research, you will work in a dynamic, multinational environment at the intersection of science and the application of developed knowledge. You will have the opportunity to challenge and coach a diverse group of individuals within the Applied Ecology team. The team consists of approximately 25 people and is one of three teams within the business unit. Your primary location will be Wageningen. Additionally, as a senior researcher, you will also be actively engaged in a relevant area of expertise for both the team and the business unit.
The Applied Ecology team focuses on making various agricultural systems more sustainable, supported by smart combinations of ecological principles and agronomic and technological innovations. As a team leader, you are primarily responsible for the optimal functioning of the team and its members, developing the team’s strategy and vision, creating synergy, and further expanding and strengthening the area of expertise. This encompasses agronomy, ecology, and technology, and their applications ranging from data science to resilient crop perspectives through collaborations with e.g. Plant Breeding on innovative new genome techniques. You ensure that your employees can perform their work well in a pleasant and socially safe working environment. You are responsible for the personal development and well-being of the team members, as well as the overall development of the team in collaboration with colleagues within the business unit and beyond. You are also responsible for the scientific quality and track record of the team.

Your responsibilities as a teamlead and researcher are:

• maintaining intensive contacts with clients from both Dutch and international governments, businesses, and other research institutions;
• coaching project leaders in executing project management and setting up large research projects, including those based on public-private partnerships (PPS);
• being a member of the Management Team of the business unit. In this role, you will be jointly responsible with other MT members for executing the mission, ensuring scientific quality, acquisition, revenue, and financial results of the business unit;
• actively seeking collaboration with relevant research groups both within and outside the WUR organization. Multidisciplinary collaboration is our strength;
• reporting directly to the BU manager and contributing to the long-term strategy of the business unit, strategic personnel planning, and translating this into the research team’s strategy.

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.

This position comes with excellent secondary employment conditions, including a competitive salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a market-conform salary ranging from a minimum of €4.862,- to a maximum of €8.091,- for a full 36-hour workweek in accordance with the CAO Wageningen Research (scale 13-14). Moreover, a 32-hour workweek is negotiable. Initially, we offer you a one-year contract, which will be extended to a permanent contract upon mutual enthusiasm. We are, of course, open to discussing any questions you might have about this.
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal career growth and mobility through its internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we offer excellent training opportunities. You will have a versatile job in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You will be working on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

GIVEN THE INTENSIVE CONTACTS YOU MAINTAIN WITH DUTCH AUTHORITIES, YOU MUST HAVE EXCELLENT VERBAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN DUTCH.

In our international working environment, communication is increasingly conducted in English. Therefore, a C1 level of English proficiency is also required for this position. If you do not yet have this level, we will naturally assist you, and you can utilize our language center, Wageningen in’to Language. For more information about this position, please contact Raymond Jongschaap, Business Unit Manager Agrosystems Research, +31 317 480570 or per e-mail; raymond.jongschaap@wur.nl
For more information about the procedure, please contact Dax Teunissen, corporate recruiter dax.teunissen@wur.nl.

• maintaining intensive contacts with clients from both Dutch and international governments, businesses, and other research institutions;
• coaching project leaders in executing project management and setting up large research projects, including those based on public-private partnerships (PPS);
• being a member of the Management Team of the business unit. In this role, you will be jointly responsible with other MT members for executing the mission, ensuring scientific quality, acquisition, revenue, and financial results of the business unit;
• actively seeking collaboration with relevant research groups both within and outside the WUR organization. Multidisciplinary collaboration is our strength;
• reporting directly to the BU manager and contributing to the long-term strategy of the business unit, strategic personnel planning, and translating this into the research team’s strategy