Senior Researcher In Vitro Toxicology Wageningen • Wageningen University & Research

Are you a seasoned toxicologist eager to engage in cutting-edge research? Join a dynamic team dedicated to developing animal-free models for assessing chemical contaminants in food. You'll lead multiple projects, enhance food safety, and collaborate with international partners. Enjoy a vibrant work culture with flexible hours, sabbaticals, and access to campus sports facilities. Benefit from a competitive salary, a year-end bonus, and exceptional growth opportunities in an innovative environment. Continue reading to see why we need your expertise.

Your job

Are you a senior toxicologist with at least 5 years of in vitro research experience after your PhD? Do you want to work in a state-of-the-art research environment? Do you want to develop and apply animal-free models for toxicokinetics and hazard assessment of chemical contaminants in food and feed?  We have a vacancy for a Senior Researcher In Vitro Toxicology to join the Toxicology Team of Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR).

What you will do
You will work as a scientist and project leader in a variety of research projects, typically more than one at the same time.  You help build our project portfolio by acquiring projects in the area of food toxicology, aided by effective interaction with stakeholders and research partners in our collective network. You report the results of your research to (generally public) clients. Whenever possible, you also present your work to the scientific community, via papers and presentations, thereby strengthening our visibility.  
Using experimental data, literature review, stakeholder consultation, and your own expertise, you will evaluate new and existing hazards and food safety issues.

Together with the team you will work on the development, refinement, validation, application, and regulatory acceptance of NAMs (New Approach Methodologies). These include a variety of in vitro and in silico approaches to study the kinetics and hazards of (foodborne) chemicals, such as cell-based models of varying complexity, in vitro toxicokinetics, physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modelling, and other assays and tools used for e.g. read-across and quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolations (QIVIVE).
Your experience enables you to be the go-to-person for less experienced colleagues for guidance and advice. Currently the Toxicology team consists of 14 colleagues. Our working culture can be described as innovative, driven and social.

Wageningen Food Safety Research conducts high-quality independent research into safe and reliable food. Most of our work is commissioned by the Dutch government and our main clients are the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). In addition, we collaborate with many national and international partners in a variety of projects funded among others by the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority.

Your qualities

• a PhD in food toxicology or related discipline. Certification as an ERT is a plus;
• in-depth and hands-on experience with in vitro and/or in silico food toxicology, on which you have a broad perspective. Expertise in cellular and molecular immunology is particularly valuable;
• strong writing and networking skills;
• experience with project acquisition in public tendering (e.g. EU, EFSA)  is a vital quality. Please cover this in your resume/letter, describing your role;
• you thrive in collaboration settings and enjoy coaching less experienced colleagues.

In our international working environment, communication in English is common. This position requires at least language level C1, and preferably C2.

You will work here:
 
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;
• 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 €3868,- and €6831,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11 - 12). Additionally, a contract for 32 hours a week 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.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.

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.
Do you want more information?

For more information about the position, please contact Arie van der Bent, Teamleader, by e-mail:
via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina. or by phone: .

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, by e-mail: via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

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 July 28, 2025. But don’t wait with your application: we will initiate the first interviews as soon as we have suitable applicants.

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). This vacancy is in the latter part of WUR. 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 and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.