Projectleader / Developer Arable Farming Northeast Netherlands

Your job

Do you want to make a real difference for arable farmers in the Northeast Netherlands as a project developer and project leader?
You will translate their questions and challenges into innovative research projects and bring these to life at our experimental farms Kompas (Valthermond) and Kooijenburg (Marwijksoord).

Please be aware that a good command of the dutch language is neccesairy for this vacancy.

Very concretely, as Project Developer and Project Leader Arable Farming Northeast Netherlands, you will work on:

• Exploring possibilities for the long-term continuation of the “Farm of the Future Veenkoloniën” in collaboration with provinces, water boards, and private partners;
• Developing plans for further expansion of the Kooijenburg experimental farm (Marwijksoord location), with a clear value proposition and roadmap, and involvement of key stakeholders such as the Province, the Drentse Aa Implementation Plan, and the business community;
• Developing projects with, for example, Innovation Veenkoloniën, Greenport Noord, SNN, Agro-agenda Noord Nederland, and links to the livestock sectors. In doing so, you know how to make use of WUR’s expertise for the benefit of the region and take the lead in the entire process from idea to realization of a research project;
• Project management of the “Farm of the Future Veenkoloniën.”

Together with the farm manager at our Valthermond location, you will be the face of the organization for partners in the region (businesses, governments, knowledge institutions, service providers) and contribute to the development of research, the team, and the research locations Kompas and Kooijenburg. You will also ensure strong connections with the other parts of WUR Open Crops and stimulate cooperation with other WUR groups to support agricultural opportunities in Northeast Netherlands.

Where you will work
The Open Crops business unit of Wageningen University & Research works on the sustainable transition of open-field farming in response to major societal issues, both nationally and internationally. We do this in collaboration and dialogue with agricultural entrepreneurs, supply chains, governments, and social groups. With passion for the sector, we identify and highlight developments and opportunities. To this end, we develop and test innovations that farmers and growers can apply today or tomorrow for successful business operations. We connect fundamental knowledge with practical experience, making use of our networks, experimental farms, and storage facilities.

Your qualities

You have a higher professional education (HBO) or academic level of working and thinking, and several years of work experience related to innovation development in agriculture.

You recognize yourself in the following personal competencies and skills:

• You are a connector and relationship-oriented (account management);
• You communicate excellently, use relevant media effectively, are a good listener, and know how to ask the right follow-up questions;
• You see opportunities for future-oriented projects and programs, and you are innovative and entrepreneurial;
• You have affinity with the region, are well acquainted with the local network, and can navigate the associated administrative processes and potential resistance;
• You are a generalist with a solid agronomic background, able to oversee various themes and bring together the knowledge of specialists;
• You think from the perspective of the farmer of the future, taking into account the regional, societal, policy, and market context;
• You have commercial and project management skills and experience;
• Excellent command of the Dutch language is essential for this position.

We offer you

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 possibility of building up flexible 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
• a fixed year-end 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 maximum €6.228,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11). Additionally, For this role a contract for 24 hours can be discussed. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

Do you want more information?

For more information about the position, please contact Herman Schoolemmer, Herman.schoorlemmer@wur.nl, 0320-291337, and/or Pieter de Wolf, Pieter.dewolf@wur.nl, 0320-291215, and/or Gerard Hoekzema, Gerard.Hoekzema@wur.nl 0599 66 25 77.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van 't Land, Corporate Recruiter, via vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply until 24 November 2025.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.


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