Key Skills

Job Description

Your job As a Marine Ecologist specialized in the Delta ecosystems at Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) in Yerseke, you will play an active role in restoring and enhancing the unique natural environment of the Delta waters. Using innovative, sustainable solutions based on the philosophy of ‘building with nature’, you will translate scientific knowledge into practical applications with a tangible impact. The South-Western Delta presents major ecological challenges as well as opportunities. From the sand deficiency in the Oosterschelde to nature conservation in the Westerschelde and improving water quality in Delta waters such as Lake Grevelingen and Lake Veere: you will make a significant contribution to solutions that make a difference to nature and society. Together with other experts in the field of marine ecology, you will work on a wide range of delta-related issues. You will investigate where nature development and nature-based solutions can be applied to areas such as flood protection and water quality improvement and will be able to convincingly demonstrate to clients the added value of this sustainable approach. In addition, you will contribute to the scientific basis of the Nature Restoration Plan and the management plans for Natura 2000 sites in the South-Western Delta. Liaising with clients and stakeholders is an integral part of your work. Your Duties And Responsibilities As a Marine Ecologist Include contribute to a wide range of literature reviews, data analyses, and field and laboratory experiments in the field of nature conservation and benthic fauna research; assist with securing new projects and drafting research proposals; communicate with fellow researchers and clients; report and present research findings to clients, attend conferences and take part in workshops; publish and present results in academic journals and at conferences. Your team Based at WMR’s site in Yerseke, you will work alongside various project teams of differing compositions. As a project leader, you will provide substantive and project-related guidance to fellow researchers so that they can carry out their work efficiently and thoroughly. As a project member, you will often focus on a specific area that matches your expertise. You will work here Wageningen Marine Research (https://www.wur.nl/nl/onderzoek-resultaten/onderzoeksinstituten/marine-research.htm) (WMR) is one of the nine institutes that form part of Wageningen Research. WMR is a leading, independent research institute with sites in Yerseke, IJmuiden and Den Helder, which focuses on strategic and applied marine ecological research. Products and services are delivered on a project basis and are diverse in nature: field research, realistic-scale experiments, exploratory laboratory-scale studies, data management and modelling. The institute has modern research facilities and is ISO 9001 certified. Your area of work will primarily be the south-western Delta, but other parts of the Netherlands, such as the North Sea and the Wadden Sea, as well as international projects, are also possibilities. Your qualities You are curious about the interactions within ecosystems and are committed to contributing to the protection and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems. Thanks to your ability to take a broader perspective, you feel at home at the interface between science and policy. You naturally build professional relationships with others and value each team member’s contribution to the overall project outcome. You can cope with time pressure and plan your work to meet deadlines. You are driven, proactive, collaborative, customer-focused and a strong communicator. You Also Possess a successfully completed relevant academic degree in the natural sciences or life sciences. A PhD in the field specified for this post is an advantage; experience with nature based solutions for flood protection; demonstrable work experience in ecological estuary and Delta research; a good command of both Dutch and English. In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level (https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale) B2. We offer Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/conditions-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; 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 € 3,554.- and € 5,698.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10). Additionally, for this role a contract for 32 to 36 hours hours can be discussed. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this. Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes. If you are an internal employee, your current contract serves as the starting point; please ask your HR Business Partner about your specific situation. We encourage development and mobility within our organization. Our recruitment and selection policy outlines the specific conditions that apply to you as a (former) employee. Coming from abroad WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant”. 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. Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/expats-new-international-staff) page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center (https://wcfv.nl/en/home/global/our-services/happy-landing-and-living/) can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs 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 Evert de Froe, Marine Ecologist, via phone number: +31 317-482625 or via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, Corporate Recruiter, via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). 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 Monday 26 October 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 1st October 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. Wageningen Marine Research Wageningen Marine Research (https://www.wur.nl/en/research/marine) (WMR) is a leading independent research institute with locations in IJmuiden, Den Helder and Yerseke. The institute focuses on strategic and applied marine ecological research. Its products and services are delivered on a project basis, with more than 400 research projects carried out annually, ranging from field studies and full-scale experiments to exploratory laboratory studies, data management and modelling. The institute is equipped with modern research facilities and is ISO 9001 certified. Wageningen Marine Research is organisationally part of Wageningen University & Research. Research within our institute focuses on understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of individuals, populations, ecosystems and socio-ecological systems. This includes accounting for changing environmental conditions, climate change and human activities in marine and freshwater environments. We work with a wide variety of species, ranging from corals and fish to marine mammals and birds, across both benthic and pelagic ecosystems. In addition, we investigate human behaviour, for example that of fishers. To achieve this, we make use of experimental field and laboratory data, mathematical models and computer simulations. 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 (https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Why-choose-WUR.htm) 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.

Core Responsibilities

Conduct and contribute to literature reviews, data analyses, fieldwork, and laboratory experiments focused on marine and delta ecology, nature conservation, and benthic fauna. Lead or support research projects, develop proposals, engage with clients and stakeholders, and communicate findings through reports, presentations, publications, conferences, and workshops.

Requirements

A relevant academic degree in natural or life sciences is required, while a relevant PhD is an advantage. Candidates should have experience in ecological estuary and delta research, ideally with nature-based flood protection solutions, strong communication and collaboration skills, and good command of Dutch and English; English proficiency at B2 is specified.

Benefits

• Flexible Working Hours
• Sabbatical Leave
• Study Leave
• Partially Paid Parental Leave
• Wellness Support
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension Scheme
• Training And Development Opportunities