As the policy officer research quality, you will play a key role in shaping and implementing the WUR-wide research quality assurance policy. The position offers a substantively challenging environment in which you will independently develop policy, provide strategic advice and monitor and improve research processes.

The Corporate Strategy & Accounts (CSA) department of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) contributes to the realisation of WUR's ambitions by initiating and facilitating policy development, strategic collaborations and networking. CSA combines strategy development, research support and account management.

What will you do?
In this role, you will work closely with the management of Wageningen University's graduate schools and Wageningen Research’s institutes. You will be responsible for setting up and safeguarding quality processes and act as a full discussion partner for the Executive Board, management boards, researchers and external stakeholders, such as the Dutch Research Council (NWO), the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), the federation of Dutch applied research institutes (TO2) and Dutch ministries.

Key activities that will be part of your duties include:

• drafting a strategic vision for institution-wide research quality assurance;
• developing and coordinating research visitation protocols and processes for WR institutes and WU graduate schools;
• preparing management discussions between the Executive Board and the management boards of graduate schools and institutes;
• representing WUR in national consultations on research and collaborating on national indicators (KUOZ);
• analysing and reporting research rankings and supporting related topics, such as the sector plan and programme evaluations.

In this position, there are sufficient opportunities for personal input and initiative. You will report to the director of CSA.

• A university degree;
• experience in a research environment and with research visitations;
• up-to-date knowledge of developments in research and research policy;
• strong analytical and communication skills, with managerial sensitivity;
• an organisational, structural and convincing disposition, with an enthusiastic and motivating attitude;
• the ability to get WUR colleagues engaged in the importance of quality improvement;
• an excellent command of Dutch and English.

As you can see, there are plenty of challenges for you to take on. These challenges can also be viewed as development opportunities. So, if you do not have the track record required for the vacancy just yet, but your work experience is solid, we would like to invite you to apply anyway.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent employment conditions. Highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) include:

• working hours that can be agreed in consultation, allowing for an optimal work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave and partly paid parental leave;
• a strong focus on vitality: you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for an attractive price;
• an 8.3% fixed end-of-year bonus;
• an excellent ABP pension scheme.

In addition to these excellent fringe benefits, you will of course also receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we are offering a competitive minimum salary of at least €3,830 to a maximum of €5,949 for a full 36-hour work week, in accordance with Wageningen Research Collective Labour Agreement (scale 11). A 32-hour work week is also negotiable. When it comes to your employment contract, we will initially offer a one-year contract, which – if possible within the (business/economic) conditions of the organisation – can be extended upon good performance.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. Our learning environment and training programmes offer ample opportunities to take personal initiative. We will provide you with a versatile job in an international setting 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. 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.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is 'To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life'. Within Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation work together to contribute to solving important questions in the domain of healthy food and a healthy living environment. With roughly 30 locations, 7,700 employees (7,000 FTE), 2,500 PhD and EngD candidates, 13,100 students and over 150,000 Lifelong Learning participants, Wageningen University & Research is one of the world’s leading knowledge institutes in its domain. A holistic attitude towards problem-solving and collaboration across various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach.

Our staff have given the following reasons why you should work at WUR. Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We are recruiting for this vacancy ourselves. We will not accept any agency enquiries for this vacancy, but do feel free to share it within your network.