Key Skills

Job Description

Career at WUR About Us Plenty of variety and challenges Pleasant working atmosphere Time for personal development Proper work-life balance Internationally leading Your job Do you want to steer the strategic deployment of AI within Wageningen Livestock Research? Connect science, data, and technology, and help build innovative applications that shape the future of animal sciences? Acting as a AI lead, you are responsible for the strategic development and integration of AI within the Wageningen Livestock Research research portfolio. You connect researchers, data scientists, and IT specialists; bring together technological developments and research questions; and translate AI capabilities into concrete, impactful applications. In doing so, you guide AI innovation and strengthen Wageningen Livestock Research’s position as a leading knowledge partner in the field of AI within animal sciences. Your Duties And Responsibilities Include Gaining a clear understanding of available AI tools and establishing a practical framework for their application in research; Demonstrating vision and leadership regarding the application of data and AI solutions in the agri-food sector: identifying opportunities for major leaps forward and determining how to actively bring the benefits of data and AI to our clients in this sector; Developing and updating the vision for AI within animal science; promoting the use of AI in research projects and organizational development; Connecting domain specialists with software developers and modelers, both within WUR and among external partners; Initiating AI-related projects and driving acquisition and business development; building and maintaining a strong internal and external network focused on AI and data science; translating (inter)national AI developments into opportunities and innovations for Wageningen Livestock Research. Your team Together with colleagues—researchers, project leaders, measurement technicians, and analysts—you will work on innovative solutions for the livestock farming of the future. As an AI lead, you will work in a team setting, both within your department and in various project teams. While the “Animal Welfare and Health” department will be your home base, you will be active across Wageningen Livestock Research and beyond. You will also play an active role in our “Data Science” expertise team. Your qualities You are a strategic and entrepreneurial professional with a strong foundation in AI and data science, skilled at connecting people, disciplines, and organizations. With your affinity for animal husbandry and innovation in both research and practice, you combine subject-matter expertise with a keen eye for opportunities. You possess excellent communication and networking skills and use your connecting personality to build lasting relationships and partnerships. In doing so, you bring the right people together and translate ideas and opportunities into successful collaborations and tangible results. You Also Possess Academic level of working and thinking. Demonstrable expertise in artificial intelligence and data science. Experience with strategic positioning, innovation, or business development. Affinity with animal science and/or agrifood research. In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level B2. 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 €4.220,- and €7.337,- 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. We initially offer a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the organisation’s financial situation. 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 Community page 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 Michiel Schoot, Manager business operations, [email protected], 0317-487632 or Petra Kock, Head of Animal Welfare and Health, [email protected], or Gert van Duinkerken, Director Wageningen Livestock Research, [email protected], 0317-480702 Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, Corporate Recruiter, via [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 9 November 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 16 October 2026. Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date. 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. Locations Wageningen Professional field Research & Science (incl. postdoc) Educational level Doctorate, Masters degree Apply before 10-11-2026 Salary range €4220 - €7337 Hours 32 - 36

Core Responsibilities

Lead the strategic development and integration of AI across Wageningen Livestock Research, translating AI and data science capabilities into impactful applications for animal science and the agri-food sector. Connect researchers, data scientists, IT specialists, and external partners; initiate projects, support business development, and build networks that advance AI innovation.

Requirements

The role requires academic-level working and thinking, demonstrable expertise in artificial intelligence and data science, and experience in strategic positioning, innovation, or business development. Candidates should have an affinity with animal science or agri-food research, strong communication and networking abilities, and English proficiency at B2 level.

Benefits

• Flexible Working Hours
• Sabbatical Leave
• Study Leave
• Partially Paid Parental Leave
• Campus Sports Facilities
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension Scheme
• Professional Development
• Internal Mobility
• Immigration Support
• Dual Career Support