We are looking for

Are you challenged by the role of pig nutrition in sustainable agri-food systems? Would you like to use your knowledge on nutrition, physiology and nutrient metabolism to improve nutrient utilization and animal health? Are you interested to find solutions for the challenges in future pig production? Then we might be looking for you, as the right candidate for a research career!

The Department of Animal Nutrition is an enthusiastic team of about 40 colleagues working on innovation, research and knowledge exchange. Many research challenges have an interdisciplinary character and concern major themes for a sustainable livestock sector such as resource use efficiency, circularity, climate neutral production without compromising animal health and welfare.

We work on nutrition and digestive physiology of cattle, swine, poultry and fish, and on forage production, grassland management and grazing. The department closely collaborates within the “Centre for Animal Nutrition” with the chair group on Animal Nutrition of Wageningen University and the department Nutrition of the Faculty for Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University.

To strengthen our team we are looking for a junior researcher with a background and/or interest in pig nutrition.

You will participate in the development and execution of research projects in the area of pig nutrition. As a part of your work, you will be involved in a research programme into the physiological response of animals to heat stress and (nutritional) strategies to improve their adaptive capacity - which may evolve in your PhD thesis. You will work in an interdisciplinary set-up and collaborate with other researchers and partners in- and outside the organization.

We ask

You are a result-oriented and enthusiastic researcher with an interest in pig nutrition. You would like to participate in applied research in a scientific setting to grow as a scientific researcher. You are a good organizer and like to contribute to a team result.

You will strengthen our team if you:

Bring expertise in animal production at MSc leve
Have a passion for science-based applied research and a drive to support the sustainability of the livestock sector;
Have the ability to think conceptually and connect across disciplines;
Have a proactive attitude and good communication skills;
Are fluent in Dutch and English.

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;
the option to accrue additional holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
sabbatical leave, study leave, and 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 December bonus of 4%;
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 salary of between € 2.836,- and € 4.624,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10). This is a full-time position for a period of 1 year with a view to a permanent contract. But a part-time contract is negotiable.

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 unique 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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. 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 helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

More information

For more information about this position, please contact Paul Bikker, senior scientist pig nutrition (via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or 0317-480683) or Roselinde Goselink, head of department animal nutrition (via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0317-480705).

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 15 March 2022.

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. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

We are

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

Read the 5 reasons why your future collaegues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video 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.

Apply now