Lead One Health

Are you a Senior Scientist, looking for a next step in your career? Do you want to make a meaningful contribution in safeguarding public health and building a healthier, more resilient world? As Lead One Health, you can be the frontrunner on the focus point of One Health and emerging infectious diseases. Join us in this rewarding journey of discovery and impact and apply now!

What will you do?

• coordinating research and development activities related to One Health, with a specific focus on viral zoonotic diseases;
• initiating and building long-term partnerships with key stakeholders in the veterinary and animal health industry, as well as veterinary public health, including government agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners;
• publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presenting research at national and international conferences;
• provide scientific guidance and leadership to junior researchers and colleagues, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions to complex problems;
• acting as a spokesperson for our organisation on One Health in the media, including social media platform, and for the society;
• developing and implementing strategic plans for the growth and development of the organization's scientific portfolio, and contributing to fundraising efforts to secure research grants and other funding opportunities.

Requirements

You are a dynamic and driven senior researcher with a PhD and your extensive network in the field showcases your dedication to making a difference.

You are accustomed to working with and within an interdisciplinary team. You have experience in establishing One Health-related projects, such as studies on zoonotic pathogen characterization and zoonotic transmission. Your entrepreneurial mindset enables you to explore opportunities with stakeholders in the work field. You are a team player willing to share knowledge and eager to learn from others.

You also possess:

• PhD in life sciences, animal science, or virology, if in the human field, then affinity towards livestock is required;
• a minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of One Health, Virology, and infectious diseases;
• a proven track record of scientific excellence demonstrated through publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, presentations at national and international conferences, and other professional achievements;
• strong leadership and management skills, with a demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a team of scientists and support staff;
• demonstrated success in securing research grants and other funding opportunities;
• key competencies: pro-active, collaborative, flexible, client and result oriented.

As you can see: there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. If you are a visionary and accomplished scientist with a passion for One Health, we would like to encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

You will work here:
Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) is a leading research institute in the field of animal health, and public health. Its unique selling point lies in its interdisciplinary approach to research and its focus on innovative solutions for complex problems in these fields.

WBVR has a unique position in the Netherlands, as it is the only research institute that is allowed to work with the most animal viruses and bacteria up to level vBSL4 (vDM4), such as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever in laboratories and animal facilities, were large livestock animals (o.a. cattle) and smaller rodents can be housed. Also, facilities are in place to do research and animal experiments for BLS3 pathogens such as avian influenza and Coxiella. Different experts on specific pathogens, host responses, bioinformatics, pathology, epidemiology and diagnostics allows WBVR to work on the mission and vision of WBVR.

WBVR contributes to a society where animals and humans live a healthy life by scientific research to prevent the spread of animal diseases and promote health.

WBVR adds value to the agricultural and life sciences value chains by conducting contract research, R&D, and statutory research tasks. We serve the interests of the Dutch agro-food sector, (veterinary) public health, and the life sciences & health sectors. As contract-research organization we focus on market needs in the animal and human life sciences sectors.

WBVR has 3 focus points:

1. healthy livestock,
2. one health
3. high tech animal models (including the 3R’s)

Conditions of employment

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;
• a fixed December 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 €4.505,- and €7.576,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 12/13). You will initially receive a one-year contract, which will be extended upon mutual enthusiasm.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

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.

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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, 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.

Employer

Wageningen University & Research

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.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

Additional information

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Riks Maas, department manager Virology and Moleculair Biology. By e-mail: riks.maas@wur.nl, or by phone: +31 6 2243 9993.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Ine van't Land, corporate recruiter, by e-mail: ine.vantland@wur.nl.

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 13 January 2025. Don’t wait with your application. We will initiate the first interviews as soon as we receive suitable applications.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure. We require a statement of conduct once you have completed the selection procedure.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.