Researcher Sustainable Plastics Technology Wageningen • Wageningen University & Research

Are you a researcher with a passion for polymer science and sustainable plastic development? Join the Sustainable Chemistry & Technology group at a leading research institute and contribute to a circular plastics economy. Engage in multidisciplinary projects focusing on renewable materials, recycling, and biodegradation. Enjoy flexible working hours, sabbatical leave, and access to campus sports facilities. Be part of an international team on the greenest campus, driving sustainability forward. Learn about the growth opportunities available in this role.

Your job

Are you a researcher with a strong background in polymer science, plastic product development and/or circular plastics? Are you interested to further develop your talents in a creative, ambitious, and multi-disciplinary contract research institute? Are you keen to join our project teams and contribute to a more sustainable society by developing new materials, methods and models for different plastic applications such as packaging, textiles and agriculture? We, the Sustainable Chemistry & Technology group of Wageningen Food and Biobased Research (WFBR), have a vacancy for a (Senior) Researcher Sustainable Plastic Products. Will you join our team?

What will you do?
You will participate in multidisciplinary, applied scientific research projects in the fields of polymer science and plastic product development.

Your duties and responsibilities include :

• Development of new (system) models and methodologies to assess and quantify sustainable design criteria such as circularity, climate change and plastic pollution;
• perform R&D on the processing, performance and end-of-life of (biobased) polymer products. Studies can be experimental, theoretical (desk- and literature studies), or both;
• report the results of your work internally - to the team and project leader, and externally - to our clients, in the form of written reports and oral presentations;
• contribute to writing proposals and/or workplans for the acquisition of new projects. In this process, you collaborate with other experts and members of our commercial team;
• contribute to the publication of results in peer reviewed journals, trade magazines and other media.

Your team
With our work on sustainable plastics we aim for a circular plastics economy in which plastics are based on renewable feedstocks, are recyclable, and do not accumulate in nature. We have over 30 years’ experience in biobased and biodegradable plastics, and have facilities for pilot scale polymer synthesis, processing and recycling and extensive polymer analysis (mechanical, chemical, thermal, biodegradation).
Annually, our experienced researchers of the Sustainable Plastic Technology expertise perform dozens of research projects, of greatly varying size/duration and technology readiness level. Novel concepts are investigated in subsidized and public-private partnership projects, whereas projects with a well-defined innovation purpose are usually performed in direct collaboration with our commercial clients. Each project is unique and staffed with a dedicated team of scientists and led by a matching project leader. You are likely to work on multiple projects, either sequentially or in parallel.

You will work here
Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, part of WUR, offers you a challenging and market-oriented environment where motivated scientific professionals conduct research projects for industry, governments and public-private partnerships. The Sustainable Chemistry & Technology Group develops innovative knowledge and technologies that enable the future production of functional chemicals and materials from renewable carbon sources, as an alternative to the current fossil-based ones.

Your qualities

You are a skilled and creative researcher, an effective team player and have demonstrated to be able to perform high quality independent research.

Specifically, we ask: 

• an MSc in polymer science, sustainable materials development and/or plastic product development or a related field, preferably complemented by at least 3 years of working experience in an R&D environment;
• experience and/or affinity with sustainable value chains (system-thinking) with a focus on end-of-life routes such as recycling, composting and biodegradation;
• experience with and track-record of writing research articles and reports;

You also possess:

• an inventive nature and high learning ability, matching the nature of our research organization;
• affinity with complex data analysis and modelling tools
• the ambition to increase your and our scientific visibility via publications and presentations;
• a result-oriented and reliable working attitude;
• strong collaboration, communication and network skills;

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C2 .
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 €3399,- and €6228,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10 - 11). 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. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.
Do you want more information?

For more information about the position, please contact Wouter Post, via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina. or Ben Langelaan via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, via email 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 Monday October 20th, 2025. Don’t wait with your application. As soon as we have suitable applications we will initiate the first round of interviews.

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). 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.