Senior Experimental Researcher in Environmental Chemistry

Your job

Do you want to be part of a challenging research environment and work on solutions for a biodiverse and sustainable environment? Are you an enthusiastic experimental scientist with a background in environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, or ecotoxicology? Are you a highly motivated researcher with an interest in acquiring funding and developing new research lines in environmental risk assessment, focusing on predicting the fate, behavior, and effects of organic contaminants in the environment?Are you operating with close links to chemical analytics? Then we are looking for you!

As a senior experimental researcher within the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) team at Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR), you will participate in and lead multidisciplinary applied scientific research projects. You will serve as a crucial pillar of our chemical research capabilities, spearheading advanced analytical methodologies to help address rising societal and regulatory demands.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Acting as project lead for a number of projects and taking the role of researcher in others, with a variety of clients including government agencies, NGOs, and industries.
• Providing chemical expertise and acting as a scientific counterpart for project leaders within the team to design proper experimental methods and protocols.
• Taking up a supervision and coordination role for our laboratory and PhDs in our team in close collaboration with current colleagues.
• Developing and implementing state-of-the-art analytical workflows, specifically utilizing High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) and Non-Target Analysis (NTA) to identify and track unknown or emerging contaminants such as PFAS and pharmaceuticals.
• Acquiring research projects and further developing the field from a market-oriented perspective aiming for high societal and regulatory impact.
• Building and maintaining an (inter)national network with stakeholders, research partners, and regulatory bodies such as ECHA.
• Closely collaborating with colleagues across varying areas of expertise, including analytical chemistry, ecology, and ecological and fate modeling.
• Publishing the results of research in scientific journals and presenting them at international conferences.

Your qualities

You are a proactive team player with strong conceptual and analytical skills. You also possess:

• A PhD degree in environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental sciences, or a related discipline. Background in ecotoxicology is preferred;
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in experimental laboratory research and environmental risk assessment;
• Deep theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) instruments (e.g., Q-TOF, Orbitrap) and the corresponding software workflows for Non-Target Analysis (NTA) or suspect screening;
• Familiarity or experience with international chemical safety policies and regulatory frameworks (e.g., ECHA, REACH, EFSA);
• A strong track record in successfully managing and contributing to applied research projects while ensuring scientific quality, financial results, and deadlines are met;
• Experience with or a strong affinity for laboratory supervision, workflow coordination, and quality management systems such as Good Laboratory Practice (GLP);
• Experience with the acquisition of new projects and a proactive attitude toward developing new research lines;
• Capability to be a creative thinker and initiator with the energy to move projects in a positive and constructive way and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, making you a reliable linking pin between project leaders, lab staff, and external clients.
• Professional proficiency in English (C1 level). Knowledge of the Dutch language or a willingness to learn it is a prerequisite.

Beyond a competitive salary and excellent benefits, we offer flexibility, hybrid work options, and a vibrant international campus where innovation thrives. You will have access to professional development opportunities and collaborate with leading experts in environmental risk science.

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;
• 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 €4.045,- and €7,068,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11 - 12). Additionally, For this role a contract for 32 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.

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.

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.

Important information

For more information about the position, please contact Ms. Sara Ahrari, teamlead team ERA, sara.ahrari@wur.nl , phone: + 31 317 480 089
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jouke van Oostenbrugge, Corporate Recruiter, via jouke.vanoostenbrugge@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 6 July 2026. The first interviews are scheduled as soon as possible after the closing date. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 15 June 2026.

Applications are reviewed regularly. 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.

We are

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.