PostDoc in Cell Line Development and Charcterization for Cultivated Seafood

Are you passionate about the future of sustainable food production and eager to contribute to the fast-developing field of cellular agriculture? We are seeking a mission-driven individual to join our team as a Postdoctoral Researcher, focusing on cell line development for seafood.

With the world’s population predicted to surpass nine billion by 2050, substantial challenges emerge regarding food production and security. Traditional practices such as livestock farming and fishing are deemed unsustainable due to their resource-intensive nature and adverse environmental effects. Therefore, there is an ever-growing need for innovative and sustainable food production technologies. Cultivated meat and seafood are an emerging technology where meat or seafood are produced using animal cell culture. Despite significant advances in the field, several key technical obstacles remain to be addressed before this technology is viable at a commercial scale. One such obstacle is the development and characterization of robust and reliable cell lines.

As a core member of our team, you will contribute to the development, optimization, and characterization of cell lines from marine and aquatic species, working toward scalable, process-ready cell lines for cultivated seafood applications. Beyond the bench, you will take ownership of building part of the methodological backbone of our lab by establishing SOPs and best practices in:

• transcriptomics - designing and executing RNA-seq workflows to characterize cell identity, differentiation, and responses to culture conditions;
• flow cytometry - implementing and standardizing protocols for cell phenotyping and sorting;
• bioinformatics - developing and running computational pipelines for transcriptomic and multi-omics data analysis and interpretation.

Within the scope of the project, you will have the freedom to propose and drive the direction of the project. In addition, you will have opportunities to grow beyond your project, such as supervising PhD, MSc, and BSc students, engaging with grant writing and funding acquisition, and broadening your technical skills.

We are committed to supporting your long-term development, whether your ambitions lie in academia or industry, and career conversations are very much part of the culture in the group. We are a friendly, collaborative group, and we are looking for someone who combines a strong scientific drive with good communication and project management skills. You will be joining a highly dynamic and diverse group with wide-ranging interests in biotechnology.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• cell isolation, cell culture optimization, and cell line development;
• development and implementation of methodologies on transcriptomics, flow cytometry and/or bioinformatics;
• supervision of PhDs and Master Students.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair Bioprocess Engineering, and member of the Cellular Agriculture team, which is led by Prof. Rene Wijffels.

Bioprocess Engineering teaches and develops innovative bio-based processes. We work on a sustainable and healthy future by engineering efficient bioprocesses for high quality products. We study and develop photoautotrophic and heterotrophic production systems for biobased products, as well as high-quality processes for the production of biopharmaceuticals. The group offers expertise in reactor engineering, down-stream processing and metabolic engineering. Our research aims at development of the scientific field as well as application in typical Wageningen themes such as circular processes, food and environmental sciences.

Postdoctoral position on Societal Disaster Risk Preparedness

Are you interested in working in a transdisciplinary and international research setting on creative methods for disaster risk preparedness and climate resilience of communities across Europe? Join us as a postdoctoral researcher in shaping creative approaches to disaster risk preparedness in Europe!

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to contribute to AMPLIFY, a Horizon Europe project that aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and climate resilience through creative and participatory approaches to risk communication. As a postdoc, you will have the rare opportunity to work at the intersection of science, governance, society, and the arts. Through your research, you will help critically analyse, co-produce knowledge, and build the tools needed to support inclusive, whole‑of‑society preparedness.

AMPLIFY brings together a transdisciplinary consortium of researchers, artists, governmental authorities, first-responders, and social welfare organisations from the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Hungary. The project uses creative methods to engage communities in disaster preparedness and to improve how risks are communicated and understood. Through Creative Hubs in the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, and a pan-European Youth Camp Hub, the project reaches groups that are often underrepresented in preparedness initiatives, including people with low literacy levels and people with lower incomes.

As part of the AMPLIFY team, you will work at the interface of academic research and creative practices. You will contribute to activities in the Creative Hub in the Enschede region, where you will build relationships with local stakeholders and support co-creation processes for improved risk communication and preparedness. In this role, you will contribute to strengthening local disaster risk governance and empowering vulnerable, at-risk, and underserved communities.

A key responsibility will be the development of the Preparedness Pathways model through theoretical and empirical research. This model will provide local and regional authorities with a structured approach to improving disaster preparedness. It will support more effective collaboration between authorities and communities in preparing for risks such as flooding, storm surges, and wildfires. Experience with qualitative research methods is essential, as the Preparedness Pathways model combines participatory action research, creative experimentation, futuring methods, creative policy dialogues, and systems thinking. Moreover, it includes iterative processes of problem analysis, identifying leverage points, embedding outcomes in governance practices and reflection. Your research will draw lessons from the different Creative Hubs and translate these into insights that support disaster preparedness policy and risk governance at the European level.

This position offers you opportunities for academic growth by further developing your research skills and academic profile within a supportive, transdisciplinary working environment. You will collaborate with senior researchers on academic publications and contribute to management of the research project. The postdoctoral phase is an important time to combine research activities with building your career path and reinforcing your academic skills. Therefore, you will have the possibility to enroll at the Wageningen School of Social Sciences (WASS). You can find more information on the WUR postdoc webpage. In addition, this position gives you the opportunity to participate in international research networks. Together, these elements will enable you to develop your own research ideas within the AMPLIFY framework and contribute to shaping innovative, creative approaches to disaster preparedness in Europe.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Explore and critically analyse artistic, creative, and cultural approaches to disaster preparedness.
• Organise and facilitate stakeholder interviews, learning workshops, and validation sessions, e.g. to identify good practices and transferable insights.
• Act as an embedded researcher, ensuring continuous dialogue between scientific work and creative experimentation.
• Coordinate Creative Hub activities in the region of Enschede and maintain regular contact with local partners.
• Publish high‑quality research outputs in peer‑reviewed journals and present findings at conferences and project meetings.

Your team
You will be supervised by dr. Karin Snel and collaborate closely with the AMPLIFY team, coordinated by dr. Lydia Cumiskey (University College Cork, IE).

You will work here
You will be appointed at the Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning (LSP) group at Wageningen University, as part of the Land Use Planning chair group. The Land Use Planning chair group investigates how we deal with scarcity of space. An increasing number of actors claim space for a wide range of activities: energy production, climate adaptation, recreation, housing, etc. What does this mean for the current ‘owners’ of the countryside, being farmers and nature organizations? Which functions can be combined, and which should be separated? How should this be organized? We aim for inclusive solutions and actively engage with stakeholders in all phases of our research. Accordingly, we educate and train a growing numbers of Bachelor, Master and PhD students to become knowledgeable, reflective, and creative planners. LSP group hosts an interdisciplinary team of professors, lecturers, postdocs and PhD students, who all work on challenges such as climate mitigation and adaptation, safeguarding biodiversity and keeping our countryside vital. Do you want to know more about our work at the Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning (LSP) group? Check out our page with news, recent publications and projects.

HSE adviseur

Hoe draag jij bij aan veilig en verantwoord baanbrekend onderzoek?

Bij Wageningen University & Research werk je als HSE adviseur in een omgeving waar veiligheid en innovatie hand in hand gaan. Van laboratoria en proefvelden tot kantoren en onderzoeksfaciliteiten: jij helpt onderzoekers en collega's om hun werk veilig, verantwoord en toekomstbestendig uit te voeren.

Je vertaalt wet- en regelgeving naar praktische oplossingen die werken in de dagelijkse onderzoekspraktijk. Daarbij ben je adviseur, sparringpartner en aanjager van verbetering. Je denkt mee over risico's voordat ze ontstaan en draagt bij aan een veiligheidscultuur waarin bewustzijn, eigenaarschap en continu leren centraal staan.

Dit is niet zomaar een HSE-functie. Je werkt midden in een internationale en gepassioneerde onderzoeksomgeving en levert een directe bijdrage aan onderzoek dat maatschappelijke impact heeft op thema's als voedselveiligheid, klimaat en leefomgeving.

De Environmental Sciences Group (ESG) van Wageningen University & Research zoekt een HSE-advisor die wil zorgen dat de onderzoekers werken in een veilige en verantwoorde onderzoeksomgeving, zowel achter een bureau als in het laboratorium of in het veld.

Wat ga je doen?
Je bent een adviseur en gesprekspartner voor onderzoekers, leidinggevenden, arbodeskundigen en externe partijen en weet regelgeving te vertalen naar werkbare oplossingen.

Je werkzaamheden bestaan onder andere uit:

• Het proactief adviseren over veiligheid, arbeidsomstandigheden en milieu;
• Het vertalen van wet- en regelgeving naar praktische procedures, protocollen en werkinstructies;
• Het fungeren als aanspreekpunt voor onderwerpen zoals gevaarlijke stoffen, biologische veiligheid, vergunningen en BHV;
• Het uitvoeren en begeleiden van RI&E-trajecten en het initiëren van verbetermaatregelen;
• Het coördineren van interne audits en het opvolgen van bevindingen;
• Het bijdragen aan de verdere ontwikkeling van de veiligheidscultuur binnen ESG;
• Je vervult (na aanwijzing) de rol van preventiemedewerker;

Conform de Arbowet ben je verantwoordelijk voor:

• het (mede) opstellen en uitvoeren van de RI&E;
• het adviseren van en nauw samenwerken met arbodeskundigen en de OR;
• de maatregelen (mede) uitvoeren.

Conform het ESG beleid ben je tevens verantwoordelijk voor:

• het registreren en analyseren van incidenten en meldingen in de incidentenmonitor, het identificeren van trends en het adviseren over verbetermaatregelen;
• het organiseren van samenwerking met de bedrijfshulpverlening (BHV).

Wie zijn wij?
Je maakt deel uit van het team Risk & Compliance binnen de Environmental Sciences Group. Binnen dit team werk je samen met collega’s op het gebied van veiligheid, kwaliteit, informatiebeveiliging, privacy en risicomanagement.

Je rapporteert aan het hoofd Risk & Compliance en bent een inhoudelijke sparringpartner voor management, onderzoekers en operationele teams.

Daarnaast werk je actief samen met arbo- en veiligheidsprofessionals binnen andere onderdelen van Wageningen University & Research, zodat kennis, expertise en aanpak organisatiebreed worden verbonden en versterkt.

Je werkt op de Wageningen Campus: een internationale, groene en innovatieve werkomgeving

HR Business Partner

Wil jij als HR Business Partner werken in een wetenschappelijke omgeving waar jouw werk indirect bijdraagt aan een betere wereld? Bij Wageningen University & Research (WUR) ondersteun je professionals die werken aan onderzoek en hoogspecialistisch onderwijs met maatschappelijke impact. Als internationaal toonaangevende en duurzame universiteit in haar vakgebied werkt WUR aan oplossingen voor wereldwijde uitdagingen op het gebied van voedsel, gezondheid, klimaat en leefomgeving. Voor het HR-team van Animal Sciences Group zijn wij op zoek naar een nieuwe collega.

Als HR Business Partner ben je adviseur, sparringpartner en procesbegeleider voor leidinggevenden van diverse leerstoelgroepen en onderzoeksgroepen (circa 250 fte). Je helpt hen bij het implementeren van HR-beleid, organisatieontwikkeling en personeelsvraagstukken. Met jouw scherpe blik en verbindende stijl ondersteun je leidinggevenden bij de uitdagingen van vandaag én morgen. Daarnaast werk je nauw samen met specialisten vanuit het HR Centre of Expertise en draag je bij aan WUR-brede HR-thema’s.

Jouw taken en verantwoordelijkheden als HR Business Partner

• Sparringpartner en adviseur voor leidinggevenden op het gebied van personeelsvraagstukken, organisatieontwikkeling en strategische personeelsplanning;
• Een actieve bijdrage leveren aan de ontwikkeling en implementatie van HR-beleid en het begeleiden van verandertrajecten;
• Begeleiden van individuele en teamvraagstukken en coördineren van de uitvoering van HR-(jaar)processen;
• Mede vormgeven aan de HR-agenda op thema’s als leiderschapsontwikkeling, sociale veiligheid, cultuurverandering en het Academic Career Framework;
• Vertegenwoordigen van Animal Sciences Group in WUR-brede HR-projecten en samenwerken met HR-specialisten om beleid succesvol te implementeren;
• Signaleren van kansen en knelpunten binnen de organisatie en deze vertalen naar passende HR-oplossingen en adviezen.

Jouw team
Je komt terecht in een betrokken HR-team van vijf HR Business Partners en het hoofd HR. Samen met HR Services en specialisten vanuit het Centre of Expertise vormen jullie een team van dertien collega’s, werkzaam vanuit IJmuiden, Lelystad en Wageningen. Jouw werkplaats bevind zich op onze groene campus in Wageningen.

Samenwerken staat centraal. We werken aan actuele thema’s zoals organisatieontwikkeling, leiderschap, arbeidsmarktuitdagingen, vitaliteit en loopbaanontwikkeling. Daarmee ondersteunen we de mensen achter het onderzoek en onderwijs die dagelijks bijdragen aan een duurzamere toekomst.

HSE Advisor

How will you contribute to safe and responsible groundbreaking research?

At Wageningen University & Research, you will work as an HSE Advisor in an environment where safety and innovation go hand in hand. From laboratories and experimental fields to offices and research facilities, you will support researchers and colleagues in carrying out their work safely, responsibly, and sustainably.

You translate legislation and regulations into practical solutions that work in the day-to-day research environment. As a trusted advisor, sparring partner, and driver of continuous improvement, you help identify risks before they arise and contribute to a strong safety culture built on awareness, ownership, and continuous learning.

This is far more than a conventional HSE role. You will be working at the heart of an international and passionate research organisation, directly supporting research with societal impact in areas such as food safety, climate, and the living environment.

The Environmental Sciences Group (ESG) of Wageningen University & Research is looking for an HSE Advisor who is committed to ensuring that researchers can work in a safe and responsible research environment—whether at their desks, in laboratories, or out in the field.

What will you do?
As an HSE Advisor, you act as a trusted advisor and discussion partner for researchers, managers, occupational health and safety specialists, and external stakeholders. You are able to translate legislation and regulations into practical, workable solutions.

Your responsibilities include:

• Providing proactive advice on health, safety, occupational well-being, and environmental matters;
• Translating legislation and regulations into practical procedures, protocols, and work instructions;
• Serving as the primary point of contact for topics such as hazardous substances, biological safety, permits, and emergency response (BHV);
• Conducting and coordinating Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E) processes and initiating improvement measures;
• Coordinating internal audits and ensuring effective follow-up of findings;
• Contributing to the further development of the safety culture within ESG;
• Acting as the designated Prevention Officer, following formal appointment.

In accordance with the Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet), you are responsible for:

• Contributing to the preparation and implementation of the Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E);
• Advising and working closely with occupational health and safety experts and the Works Council;
• Supporting the implementation of occupational health and safety measures.

In line with ESG policy, you are also responsible for:

• Recording and analysing incidents and reports in the incident monitoring system, identifying trends, and advising on improvement measures;
• Coordinating collaboration with the Emergency Response Organisation (BHV).

Who are we?
You will become part of the Risk & Compliance team within the Environmental Sciences Group (ESG). As a member of this team, you will work closely with colleagues specialising in health and safety, quality management, information security, privacy, and risk management.

You will report to the Head of Risk & Compliance and serve as a trusted advisor to management, researchers, and operational teams on HSE-related matters.

In addition, you will collaborate closely with occupational health and safety professionals across Wageningen University & Research, helping to connect and strengthen knowledge, expertise, and best practices throughout the organisation.

Your workplace will be the Wageningen Campus—an international, green, and highly innovative environment where cutting-edge research and collaboration come together.