Research Assistant in Marine Sponge Cell Culture for the BLUES Project Wageningen • Wageningen University & Research

A passionate about blue biotechnology and eager contributor to marine invertebrate cell culture is sought as a Research Assistant for the BLUES project. The role involves optimizing marine sponge cell cultures and preparing detailed progress reports. This position offers exceptional benefits, including sabbatical and parental leave, a year-end bonus, and sports facility access. The work environment is innovative and internationally oriented, fostering growth and a strong focus on work-life balance. Read on to see how your skills fit this role.

Your job

Are you passionate about the future of blue biotechnology and eager to contribute to the fast-developing field of marine invertebrate cell culture? We are seeking a mission-driven , experienced individual to join our team as a Research Assistant in marine sponge cell culture for the BLUES project.
 
Traditionally, nature has served as the primary source for new pharmaceuticals, with over 50% of marketed drugs either derived directly from natural sources or synthesized using natural products as templates or starting materials. The ocean is home to more than 200,000 described species of marine invertebrates, representing every phylum, including twelve phyla that are exclusively marine. More than 15,000 novel marine-derived chemicals have been reported, many of which have potential pharmaceutical applications. Many of these compounds occur in marine organisms at very low concentrations, and their often complex molecular structures make them difficult to be chemically synthesized, which has created a bottleneck in their development as drugs. Scientists have spent decades, without success, working to develop alternative supply options, including in vitro culturing of marine invertebrates or cell cultures. The objective of BLUES is to expand the potential to produce valuable and unique bioactive compounds from marine invertebrates by developing novel in vitro cell culture systems for four phyla of marine invertebrates (Porifera, Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Chordata) and optimizing production yields as an alternative to wild harvesting and chemical synthesis. The goal is to design a pathway towards industrial bioprocesses using cell lines as a chassis to produce unique, high-value, marine bio-based compounds. The novel bioprocesses will solve the supply bottleneck for increased availability of bioactive compounds, but also for a higher level of sustainable alternatives, contributing to the development of circular processing and a circular economy. 

As a research Assistant you will be responsible for: 

• perform optimization of marine sponge cell cultures, including cell isolation, media development, and establishment of cell banks across successive passages;
• prepare detailed progress reports and experimental summaries to support ongoing research objectives;
• apply critical analysis and problem-solving skills to resolve methodological and technical challenges;
• develop and revise laboratory protocols in response to process improvements and experimental findings;
• ensure meticulous documentation of all experimental procedures, results, and optimizations in accordance with institutional research standards.

We advise all applicants with recent mammalian cell culture experience to apply.

You are curious and passionate about marine invertebrate cell culture, possess great problem-solving and analytical skills, and have prior experience in working with sponge cell culture. This is a temporary full-time position, with an ideal start date of no later than the 15th of November 2025.
Your qualities

You also possess: 

• MSc in Biology, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Biochemical Engineering, or related fields, with demonstrated experience in marine sponge cell culture;
• excellent writing and communication skills in English;
• prior hands-on experience in sponge cell culture;
• knowledge of basic cell-laboratory techniques, including 2D cultures, metabolite analysis, microscopy, and cell banking;
• experience with isolation of sponge cells from tissue samples;
• hands-on experience with media design and optimisation.

This position a temporary position for a period of 6 months. The job requirements are high due to the ambitious nature of the project and the short turn around time.
This position has limited funding, as such only candidates with an MSc can be considered.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.  
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 €3057,-. and €3985,-. for a full-time
working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch
Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 7). 

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.
Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Affif Grazette, Research Manager, by e-mail: via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..  
For more information about the procedure, please contact Evelien Janssen, corporate recruiter, by e-mail: via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

Do you want to apply? 
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 25th of November 2025. Applications will be reviewed as received until the position is filled. 
 
Equal opportunities 
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

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 and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from
recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.