Do you consider the availability of safe and healthy food for the entire world population one of the great challenges of our time? Do you want to contribute to safe and balanced diets by ensuring that food is analysed using well-designed and carefully executed methods?

Your job

Do you consider the availability of safe and healthy food for the entire world population one of the great challenges of our time? Do you want to contribute to safe and balanced diets by ensuring that food is analysed using well-designed and carefully executed methods? Are you eager to take on the challenge of further improving analytical techniques in this field using advanced measurement systems such as GC- or LC-(HR)MS? Then this could be the next step in your career!

Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is looking for an ambitious researcher in the field of veterinary medicines.

Where will you work?

At Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), we conduct research into food safety, covering both food for human consumption and animal feed. As a researcher, you will be involved in residue research, among other activities.

Our residue research focuses, among other things, on detecting pharmacologically active substances, veterinary medicines and growth-promoting substances in food and animal feed. Within these research areas, we conduct monitoring and forensic research and develop new analytical methods to control the use of these substances and detect illegal use. We also develop methods to identify unknown residues and advise national and international authorities on preventing and analysing residues in the food chain.

You will work in a team responsible for research and for efficiently performing and reporting analyses. Together, you and your colleagues contribute to food safety throughout the food chain and to a healthy living environment.

Your tasks and responsibilities as a Chemical Researcher will include:

• Act as a researcher within a number of projects, mainly focused on governmental tasks, but also within Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and EU projects in the field of food safety;
• Publish your research results in scientific journals and present them at international conferences;
• Build and maintain an international and national scientific network;
• Proactively identify new opportunities, for example through PPP and EU calls, and write research proposals.

Naturally, you will not be doing this alone. You will work closely with colleagues within the veterinary medicines and growth promoters teams, where three teams work closely together. Because you will be involved in activities across different teams, the work is highly varied.

Who are we?

WFSR conducts high-quality, independent research into the safety and reliability of food and animal feed. We investigate harmful substances, including pesticides, veterinary drug residues, natural toxins and organic contaminants such as PFAS, as well as microbial and viral contamination.

Our work includes analysing products for the presence of such substances, monitoring trends in the food production chain, identifying and investigating emerging risks, keeping analytical methods up to date, and verifying the authenticity of food products.

Your qualities

You are a team player with a practical, hands-on approach and the following key competencies: accuracy, flexibility, a results-oriented mindset, a strong focus on quality, good organisational skills, an open attitude and a willingness to learn. You are able to work both independently and as part of a team. In addition, you have:

• A completed university degree (MSc level) in analytical chemistry or a related field;
• Preferably several years of experience working with LC-(HR)MS and/or GC-(HR)MS systems and sample preparation techniques;
• Demonstrable experience in writing scientific publications and reports;
• Experience working in an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory is an advantage;
• Preferably experience with project-based work;
• Strong communication skills and good command of both Dutch and English. If you don’t speak Dutch yet, we expect the willingness to learn Dutch.
• In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1.

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;
• 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 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 between €3554,- and €5698,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10). Additionally, for this role a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. We initially offer a two-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance. 

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

Coming from abroad

WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant”.

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 Communitypage 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.

Important information

For more information about the position, please contact Maarten van Rees, Teamleader, via email: [email protected].
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, via email; [email protected].

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 up to and including September 21st, 2026. The first interviews are scheduled shortly after the closing date. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before the 30th of August 2026. Interviews with internal candidates will be scheduled early September.

Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.

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”. 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, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 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 and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

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

​