Senior Researcher Agri-Food Information Systems (based in Wageningen)
Are you passionate about tackling the research challenges of data integration in the Agri-Food sector, which is evolving into a system of systems environment? And do you want to be a part of our mission to find lasting solutions for sustainability challenges? Then this might be the perfect opportunity for you to make a difference!

We are looking for a researcher that is highly motivated to improve the sustainability of food production systems by analysing, designing and improving information management solutions. You will be working within the research team 'Digital Innovation in Agri-Food', which focuses on complex information management issues within the agri-food sector.

As a researcher, your focus will be on designing integrated solutions in an increasingly complex environment marked by a proliferation of data, systems, and stakeholders. Your efforts will also address responsible use of data and the development of decision support tools for policy-making.

Examples of relevant research questions:

• Co-create and test advanced data-driven solutions in a multi-actor approach that serve as a lighthouse that positively impacts a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system.
• How to develop a framework, including guidelines and data collection strategy, to drive the food system transformation towards inclusive, sustainable, healthy diets within boundaries of legal and policy frameworks.
• Develop a conceptual reference architecture for a common data space framework in agriculture and a reference technology canvas for navigating through heterogeneous repositories ensuring backward compatibility with most prominent existing initiatives.
• Develop a decision-making support tool, particularly targeting policymakers, farm advisors, farmers, and the public administration facilitating the comparing the performance of edge-, cloud-, and mixed model-based open source solutions for agriculture along several socio-economic and environmental parameters, including administrative capacities needed for their deployment, at the level of the farm, and the farm community at regional national scale.
• Pave the way for a European Agriculture Data Space that facilitates data sharing, processing and analysis in a secured, trusted, transparent and responsible manner to create new opportunities for monitoring and optimising natural resource use stimulating data-driven innovations.

The team approaches these challenges from an interdisciplinary, business and supply chain perspective, in close cooperation with other groups from Wageningen University & Research and other, international partners.

Your job:

• you analyse complex data and information management issues from a business and supply chain perspective and in relation to societal needs;
• you transform these issues from a scientific background into new concepts and practical solutions for sustainable food systems
• you work in close interaction with various stakeholders such as farmers, food companies, public bodies, NGOs, ICT companies;
• you communicate the results in compelling presentations, reports and research papers to ensure a significant impact for agribusiness, society and science;
• you collaborate with the information manager on strategic research projects;
• you acquire and manage new projects in your field of expertise.

• academic background in the area of Business Information Management and Software Engineering;
• knowledge of and experience with business IT concepts (e.g. information architectures, interoperability, standardisation);
• understanding of the relevance of your expertise within a Socio-Economic context;
• track record of successfully securing projects and managing the acquisition process;
• based in the Netherlands, but prepared to travel abroad on a regular basis;
• customer-oriented attitude;
• entrepreneurial, independent worker in a team environment;
• strong communication skills;
• collaborative and open style of working;
• knowledge of the agri-food domain is an advantage.
• a team player who enjoys working with others, is friendly, takes the initiative, is innovative and result- and customer-oriented.

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 compensation hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 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 gross salary of between € 4.149.- and € 6.229,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 12). You will initially receive a one-year contract, which will be extended to an open-ended contract 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.
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. For instance under the "30% rule", certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.

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". 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, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 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.

Wageningen Economic Research is keen to stay at the cutting edge of the rapidly evolving IT and data field, and we're now seeking a talented Researcher Agri-Food Information Systems to join our expert team.
The link to the department you are goint to work: Wageningen Economic Research - WUR

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We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.