Postdoc Researcher: Philosophical and Social Aspects of Animal Research Wageningen • Wageningen University & Research

Philosophers interested in empirical research on non-human animals, this postdoc role invites you to explore evolving scientific practices. Delve into philosophical analysis of animal welfare and human-nonhuman relations. Join a vibrant research community committed to philosophy and life sciences, offering work-life balance perks like sabbaticals and access to campus sports facilities. Wageningen University & Research prides itself on diversity and inclusion. An environment that values everyone's unique contributions awaits you. Continue reading to see how you can make a difference in our team.

Your job

Are you interested in exploring philosophical issues related to research with non-human animals using empirical approaches? Are you fascinated by human-nonhuman relationships and how they are shifting in contemporary society and in light of evolving scientific practices?  Do you want to use your empirical research skills to ask philosophical questions about emerging scientific practices using experimental animal models? If so, this Postdoc Researcher position at Wageningen University & Research could be the perfect next step in your career.

Animal models have long been utilized in biomedical and other types of research as substitutes for humans for ethical, social, and scientific reasons. In recent years, there has been increased attention to concerns about animal welfare and problems with projecting results from animals to humans. Development of alternatives to current animal models is being widely promoted as necessary and relatively straightforward, although transitions are likely to be extremely difficult for social, cultural, and scientific reasons. Analysis of these issues from an empirically informed philosophical point of view has been limited to date and is urgently required. In this research project, we will explore various aspects of these proposed transitions, and the likely broader effects on the humans involved in animal care and experimentation, the non-human animals currently utilized and those that might be used in these newer methods, and the resulting scientific practices.

Your responsibilities will include: 

• performing a detailed mapping of the current landscape associated with experimental animal models;
• identifying key case studies associated with new approaches to animal experimentation that can be explored using empirical methodologies;
• performing empirical research and analysis on several of these case studies;
• developing competitive grant applications to support further research on these case studies (e.g., via a NWO Veni fellowship application); and
• producing high-quality scholarly and accessible outputs.

Your team
You will work in the Philosophy group which is located in the Social Sciences Group, reporting to the Chair. The Philosophy group seeks to explore philosophical questions related to the fields of ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, and phenomenology in relation to the life sciences, particularly those represented at Wageningen University & Research. Members of the group focus on the relationship of humans with nature, animals, food, and agriculture, and ethical and policy processes associated with science and technology in different societal and cultural settings.
Your qualities

For this position we are looking for someone with the following qualities:

• a PhD degree in philosophy or a closely related field with a dissertation focus on non-human animals;
• extensive experience in using empirical techniques such as interviews, focus groups, food diaries, etc.;
• excellent organizational and project management skills;
• experience working in interdisciplinary teams; and
• strong oral and written communication skills in English (C1), aligned with WUR’s international working environment.

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 you

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 competitive gross salary of between € 3,546.- and € 5,538.- for a full-
time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch
Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). We offer you a temporary contract for the
duration of one year. 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.

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.

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, dual career programs 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 Rachel Ankeny (Chair), via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jouke van Oostenbrugge, Corporate Recruiter, via
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 17th of November 2025. 

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.