Are you an experienced manager with strong communication and organizational skills, even in situations where quick decisions must be made?
You combine inclusive leadership with clarity: you inspire others and are not afraid to provide direction. Do you also have a passion for healthy and safe food, and an affinity for working in a chemical laboratory? Are you fluent in both Dutch and English? Then you might be our new colleague. Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is looking for a new team leader for the Contaminants-2 team.
Where will you be working?
Wageningen Food Safety Research conducts research into safe and reliable food. We specialize in (forensic) analysis of large volumes of samples and develop analytical methods to detect unwanted substances in food. The Contaminants-2 team analyzes contaminants in food products, animal feed, and their raw materials. The main groups of contaminants include heavy metals, radioactive substances, and process contaminants such as acrylamide. In addition, we investigate new methods to detect these contaminants.
The Contaminants-2 team is one of six teams within the Contaminants & Toxicology business unit. This unit conducts contaminant research and routine analyses of food and feed, as well as analytical-chemical research and the development of new chemical analysis methods.
What will you do?
As team leader, your focus is on ensuring that your team members function optimally and on developing the team as a whole. You create an environment where your team can work effectively, safely, and enjoyably. You are fully responsible for your team of around 25 professionals. This means looking beyond your own tasks and taking shared responsibility with your colleagues for the entire process. You think strategically, see the big picture, and act in the interest of achieving collective results. In this way, we build a strong, cohesive working method where quality and collaboration are key.
Your tasks and responsibilities as team leader include:
Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.
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’.
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. You are a true people manager: you understand the individual needs and motivations of your team members, while also recognizing the needs of the team and organization. You are quality- and customer-oriented, strong in process management, and able to handle strict deadlines effectively. You have completed a university of applied sciences (HBO) or university (WO) degree, preferably in a field related to the team’s work (life sciences or chemistry).
You also have:
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, via e-mail; [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. We expect your motivational letter to be written in Dutch.
You can apply until the 23rd of June 2025. The first interviews are scheduled for week 27.
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.
You combine inclusive leadership with clarity: you inspire others and are not afraid to provide direction. Do you also have a passion for healthy and safe food, and an affinity for working in a chemical laboratory? Are you fluent in both Dutch and English? Then you might be our new colleague. Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is looking for a new team leader for the Contaminants-2 team.
Where will you be working?
Wageningen Food Safety Research conducts research into safe and reliable food. We specialize in (forensic) analysis of large volumes of samples and develop analytical methods to detect unwanted substances in food. The Contaminants-2 team analyzes contaminants in food products, animal feed, and their raw materials. The main groups of contaminants include heavy metals, radioactive substances, and process contaminants such as acrylamide. In addition, we investigate new methods to detect these contaminants.
The Contaminants-2 team is one of six teams within the Contaminants & Toxicology business unit. This unit conducts contaminant research and routine analyses of food and feed, as well as analytical-chemical research and the development of new chemical analysis methods.
What will you do?
As team leader, your focus is on ensuring that your team members function optimally and on developing the team as a whole. You create an environment where your team can work effectively, safely, and enjoyably. You are fully responsible for your team of around 25 professionals. This means looking beyond your own tasks and taking shared responsibility with your colleagues for the entire process. You think strategically, see the big picture, and act in the interest of achieving collective results. In this way, we build a strong, cohesive working method where quality and collaboration are key.
Your tasks and responsibilities as team leader include:
- Ensuring the scientific and technical quality of the chemical analyses your team performs. You organize workflows so the team can deliver optimal results, with each member taking ownership of their responsibilities;
- Supporting the personal development, effectiveness, well-being, and job satisfaction of your team members;
- Overseeing project execution. You maintain a clear overview of all projects within your team, monitor progress, identify bottlenecks, and make adjustments as needed;
- Being responsible for the financial results;
- Deploying team members effectively in projects and other tasks critical to achieving team outcomes.
- 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.
Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.
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’.
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. You are a true people manager: you understand the individual needs and motivations of your team members, while also recognizing the needs of the team and organization. You are quality- and customer-oriented, strong in process management, and able to handle strict deadlines effectively. You have completed a university of applied sciences (HBO) or university (WO) degree, preferably in a field related to the team’s work (life sciences or chemistry).
You also have:
- Experience leading professionals, preferably in a laboratory environment;
- Fluency in both Dutch and English;
- Project management experience;
- Knowledge of quality systems (e.g., ISO 17025), occupational health and safety, environmental standards, and safety protocols.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, via e-mail; [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. We expect your motivational letter to be written in Dutch.
You can apply until the 23rd of June 2025. The first interviews are scheduled for week 27.
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.
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