Senior Researcher on the Effects of Manure Policy on Agricultural Operations

Your job

Are you someone who feels completely at home in the world of agriculture and monitoring networks? Have you always wanted to work on improving the operations of agricultural entrepreneurs and promoting water quality?

Wageningen Social & Economic Research is looking for a Senior Researcher on the effects of manure policy on agricultural operations, who will be responsible for the organisation, management, and quality of the monitoring network.

In this role, you will be the point of contact for the management of the monitoring network, the results of the use of panel data, and translating these into valuable insights for governments, sector organisations, and agricultural businesses. Your knowledge is crucial for the National Monitoring Network for Manure Policy Effects (LMM). In addition to these tasks, you will also participate in projects that investigate the relationship between agriculture, the environment, and nature. You will collaborate with other departments of Wageningen University & Research and knowledge partners.

As a Senior Researcher on the effects of manure policy on agricultural operations, you will be a key link within the Performance & Impact Agrosectors expertise group. This group consists of passionate professionals dedicated to sustainable agriculture and a vital countryside. Within this group, economic sector studies are conducted for governments, sector organisations, and businesses, and independent advice is provided based on scientific insights. The projects you will work on are very diverse, ranging from monitoring and scenario studies to measuring sustainability performance of sectors and businesses, and policy evaluations and explorations.

Would you like to use your knowledge and skills to contribute to sustainable agriculture and a healthy countryside? Apply now for the position of Senior Researcher on the effects of manure policy on agricultural operations at Wageningen Economic Research!

Your contribution 
In this role, you will play a key role in the project management of the LMM, with a focus on data. You will contribute to:

• Coordinating and directing the data-related aspects within the project
• Ensuring the quality of panel data and weighting methodologies
• Setting up and managing samples for reliable analyses
• Conducting data analyses and research to generate valuable insights
• Clearly and effectively reporting progress to clients and partners

Your qualities

• We are looking for someone with a completed master's degree in agricultural economics, or an IT/Data management master's with knowledge of the agricultural sector.
• It would be great if you have knowledge of panel data analysis techniques and programming languages.
• Affinity with the agricultural sector, especially arable farming or intensive livestock farming, is essential for this role.
• You are strong in communication and adept at navigating collaborations with internal and external parties.
• You will work in an international environment where English is an important language. It is important that you have a C1 language level. If you do not yet have this level, you can attend our language centre, Wageningen in’to Language.
• We are looking for someone who is accurate, has a well-developed analytical ability, and also has a relationship and result-oriented attitude.
• We understand that you may not meet all the requirements of the vacancy, but if you have solid work experience, we still encourage you to apply. You will have plenty of challenges and development opportunities.
• Proficiency in Dutch, both spoken and written, is required. 

We offer you

At Wageningen University & Research, you are in good hands when it comes to employment conditions. Highlights from our CAO include:
 

• Working hours that can be determined in consultation, allowing for an optimal work-life balance.
• The possibility to work extra hours, up to a maximum of 40 hours per week, to build up extra holiday hours.
• Sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave.
• There is a lot of attention to vitality, and you can use the sports facilities on campus for a small fee.
• The possibility to work from both our office in The Hague and Wageningen.
• A structural year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Excellent pension scheme via ABP.
• We initially offer a one-year contract, with the possibility of a permanent contract in the long term.

In addition to these excellent secondary employment conditions, a suitable salary is, of course, also part of the package. Depending on your experience, we offer a market-conform salary of up to €6,831 for a full working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CAO Wageningen Research (scale 12). Moreover, a 0.8 FTE appointment is negotiable.

The location is Wageningen or The Hague.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal growth opportunities and mobility with an 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.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Bert van der Scheer (team leader of the Performance & Impact Agrosectors expertise group), tel. 06-2852 1646, email: bert.vanderscheer@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Jouke van Oostenbrugge, Corporate Recruiter, via recruitment.ssg@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 and until Monday 23 of June 2025. The first interviews are scheduled for mid July 2025.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure

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.