Researcher in Marine Governance

Location IJmuiden

We are looking for

We are looking for an experienced researcher / project leader who wants to apply his / her knowledge of marine governance to a wide range of transdisciplinary research projects aimed at sustainable use of the sea. You play a pivotal role in strengthening socio-ecological research within our organisation and our external marine governance expert. Topics include: How to set up a meaningful dialogue between the government, scientists and stakeholders regarding the management of the North Sea ecosystem, which is increasingly used by new users such as offshore wind or mariculture? Which change processes play a role in the transition to more circular food systems and associated land-sea interactions? How can we link our technical-ecological expertise on the behaviour of fishing fleets with social science expertise on the choice behaviour of fishermen in order to improve our traditional modelling studies of fishing behaviour?

You closely follow societal and scientific developments in the field of marine governance, integrated socio-ecological research and collaboration between scientists and stakeholders, and translate these into applied knowledge questions in close consultation with the sector, government and other stakeholders. You initiate and contribute to new project proposal applications. To this end, you maintain an excellent relationship with the maritime sectors (e.g. fishing, mariculture, shipping, oil, gas, wind), governments and non-governmental organizations. You consider it a challenge to collaborate with stakeholders and natural scientists in conducting research and operate as an independent expert. You strengthen cooperation within Wageningen University & Research as well as with other knowledge institutions. You work in interdisciplinary project teams in which you guide and supervise researchers and research assistants and contribute to the design and implementation of research. In addition to writing project reports and presenting results to various target groups, you will publish your research in peer-reviewed journals. You will be working closely with Wageningen Economic Research on socio-economic issues.

We ask

An experienced researcher (and preferably a PhD) with a completed social science academic education who works on developing a more transdisciplinary approach in our research. You take a leading role in our institute to integrate social science work into ecological research. You are sensitive to different and sometimes contradictory visions within both research and the policy context. To this end, you have excellent communication and verbal skills. You have a keen eye for societal and policy developments in the management of the sea, and the role of science in this. You are familiar with the policy and management context of the North Sea and you have a network in the maritime sector, policy, knowledge institutions and social organizations. You make a demonstrable contribution of large projects and/or acquire medium sized projects yourself. You are creative, decisive, result-oriented and show initiative. You have a good knowledge of the Dutch and English language (level C1), both orally and in writing. If you do not speak Dutch, you will be expected to learn the language within one year, including participating in an intensive language course.

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 3%;
• excellent pension scheme;
• The ability to work part-time.

More information

For more information about this position, please contact Nathalie Steins, project leader/ social science researcher, telephone 0317 487092 or by e-mail nathalie.steins@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 Sunday 16 May 2021. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on Wednesday 26 May 2021.

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 inclusive webpage. 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 Marine Research is a leading, independent research institute that focuses on strategic and applied marine ecological research. The institute was established in 2006. Products and services are executed on a project basis (more than 400 research projects annually) and are diverse in nature: field research, experiments on a realistic scale, exploratory studies on lab scale, data management and modelling. The institute has modern research facilities and is ISO 9001 certified. Wageningen Marine Research is an organisational part of Wageningen University and Research.

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, 6.500 employees and 12.500 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.

These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR