Researcher Nature-based adaptation with a strong ecology profile

Your job

Are you fascinated by the possibilities that natural processes offer as basis for a climate proof future and a healthy and biodiverse environment? Would you, as a climate researcher with a strong ecology profile, like to contribute to advancing knowledge and supporting action related to climate resilience, biodiversity, water and food security? Then you could be the ideal candidate to strengthen the Climate Resilience team at Wageningen Environmental Research!

Your tasks 

Your tasks as a nature-based adaptation researcher with a strong ecology profile will include: 

1. Assessing the consequences of climate change on ecosystems
2. Assessing the effects of nature-based adaptation & mitigation interventions on biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions and water management
3. Co-creating resilient urban and rural landscapes in which societal challenges such as climate change, biodiversity and water safety & quality are addressed in an integrated way
4. Supporting the scaling of nature-based adaptation and mitigation strategies in collaboration with local and regional stakeholders
5. Working in applied-research projects in Dutch and international contexts
6. Performing research tasks, project management and acquisition

You will work in complex governance settings in which different public and private parties play a crucial role. The work process is demand-driven and has a scientific basis. 

Your qualities

• A completed academic degree in ecology, climate science, earth systems science or related domains
• Strong analytical skills: you are a systems thinker capable of analyzing complex issues in a systemic manner integrating knowledge from different domains including climate change, ecology, water and soils
• You can translate conceptual knowledge into practice and vice versa.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods (GIS, analysis of habitat functioning, analysis of ecosystem services, greenhouse gas emissions assessments)
• A positive, collaborative, and curious team player who is interested in people and possesses strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in Dutch and English (C1 level). Fluency in Dutch is essential for this role, as it is fundamental to performing the job effectively and ensuring clear communication.

Your team 

You will work within the team Climate Resilience. We conduct project-based applied research on nature-based solutions to mitigate climate related risks in regions and sectors. We aim to increase resilience in both urban and rural landscapes for which we make use of climate services (Research Institute Wageningen Environmental Research | Wageningen University & Research

We offer

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;
• The option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more;
• 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 December 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 between €3.399,- and €6.228,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10-11). The appointment is for minimally 32 and maximally 36 hours per week. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended – if possible within (company) organizational circumstances – on good performance.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Important information

To learn more about this vacancy please contact Annemarie Groot, team leader Climate Resilience, annemarie.groot@wur.nl.

For questions about the procedure, you can contact Jouke van Oostenbrugge, corporate recruiter, jouke.vanoostenbrugge@wur.nl

Ready to apply?

Use this link to apply. Only applications submitted through the WUR website will be considered.https://www.wur.nl/en/vacancy/researcher-nature-based-adaptation-ecology

You can apply up to and including 13 July 2026.