Are you an experienced organiser who thrives in a dynamic academic environment? Do you enjoy bringing people together, creating structure and ensuring that ideas turn into results? Then this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

Your job

Are you an experienced organiser who thrives in a dynamic academic environment? Do you enjoy bringing people together, creating structure and ensuring that ideas turn into results? Then this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

As Chair Group Operational Manager of Environmental Systems Analysis (ESA), you are the organisational hub of our chair group. You work closely with the Chair and the Management Team (MT) to ensure that our research, education and organisational processes run smoothly. 

Your responsibilities

• Management Team support; you are the secretarial and operational partner of the Management Team.
• Research planning and funding coordination; you help the chair group maintain oversight of its research portfolio, future capacity and identify future gaps.
• Operational coordination; you coordinate a range of recurring organisational processes like: development and competencies interviews m(R&O), keep an overview of BSc and MSc thesis supervision and internships, organize retreats, and more.
• Governance and quality assurance; you help the chair group remain well organised and compliant with university policies.
• Project coordination and continuous improvement; you ensure that decisions are translated into results. 

Your team

You will become part of Environmental Systems Analysis (ESA), within Earth Systems and Global Change (ESC), an ambitious and internationally oriented chair group within Wageningen University & Research. Our researchers, teachers and support staff work together on high-quality research and education with societal impact. We value collaboration, openness, professionalism and mutual support.

As Chair Group Operational Manager, you will work closely with the Chair, the Management Team and colleagues throughout the chair group. You will play a central role in connecting people, coordinating processes and ensuring that our organisation continues to develop professionally.

Your qualities

You enjoy creating structure in a complex environment and know how to keep multiple processes moving simultaneously. You are proactive, service-oriented and able to work independently while collaborating with a wide range of colleagues.

In addition, you have:

• a completed (HBO-) Bachelor or MSc degree, or equivalent working and thinking level;
• experience in project management, operations, programme coordination or research support;
• excellent organisational and planning skills;
• strong communication skills in both Dutch and English;
• the ability to work accurately while maintaining an overview;
• experience with Microsoft 365, including Teams, Excel and SharePoint;
• an interest in supporting research and higher education.

Experience within a university or research organisation is considered an advantage.

We offer

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 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. Depending on your experience, we offer a gross salary of between €3.706,- and €5.760,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 9-10). We initially offer a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the organisation’s financial situation 

If you are an internal employee, your current contract is the starting point. Ask your HR Business Partner about your situation specifically. 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 Hannah van Zanten, [email protected] and/or Maryna Strokal, [email protected].
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema, Corporate Recruiter, via [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 14 September 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 23 August 2026.

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.

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