Are you interested in unravelling the mysteries of life and contributing to groundbreaking research? The Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology at Wageningen University & Research is seeking a motivated and talented computational research technician to join our team. We specialize in elucidating mechanisms underlying cellular processes, evolution, and microbe interactions, translating this knowledge into biotechnological, medical, and environmental applications. Join us in our multidisciplinary research team focused on FAIR research software development.

As a Research Technician, you will play a pivotal role in advancing our research initiatives. Your responsibilities will include:

• maintaining research software, ensuring documentation, version control, and testing are up to date;
• participating in the development of new research software;
• ensuring proposed designs align with architecture, security, and privacy guidelines, while adhering to FAIR principles;
• providing training to researchers and support staff.
  

Why Join Us:

• you can contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of biology and technology;
• you will work within a dynamic, multidisciplinary team focused on FAIR research software development;
• you can shape the future of scientific discovery through innovative solutions;
• you will collaborate with leading experts in Systems and Synthetic Biology;
• you embrace a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• 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 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between €3186,- and €4255,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 8). Additionally, a contract for 0.8 FTE 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 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.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

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. 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, 7,700 employees (7,000 fte), 2,500 Ph D and Eng D candidates, 13,100 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.

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

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualities:

• a successfully completed BSc/MSc degree in bioinformatics, biology, data science, or a related discipline;
• proficiency in programming languages, such as Python;
• interest in applying machine learning techniques to biological data;
• familiarity with computing environments like Kubernetes, Docker, Git, or Argo CD;
• knowledge of high-throughput omics analysis methods;
• perseverance in problem-solving;

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1.

Please note: due to immigration restrictions it is not possible to obtain a working permit for this specific position if you are from outside of the European Union. If you are eligible for a search year or already are in possession of a work permit without sponsorship we welcome you to apply.

You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply. For more information about this position, please contact Jasper Koehorst, Assistant professor, by e-mail: jasper.koehorst@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Rutger Voorrips, corporate recruiter, by e-mail: rutger.voorrips@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 25th of November 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on December 10th 2024.

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.