Researcher Applied Immunology Viral Diseases in Livestock

Do you want to work on research that truly makes an impact on animals and people?

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced (Senior) Researcher in Applied Immunology and Viral Diseases to join the Department of Viral Infections and Pathology. In this role, you will study immune responses in farm and laboratory animals, addressing viral infections and vaccination at both local and systemic levels and across different age groups. You will also implement immunological assays for different animal species. Your work will generate knowledge and practical solutions that support public and private stakeholders in improving animal health, strengthening disease prevention, and advancing sustainable livestock production.

Your role
As a (Senior) Researcher, you will be directly contributing to our mission to advance knowledge of veterinary and zoonotic diseases to reduce their impact on animals and society. You will be responsible for acquiring and leading immunology-focused projects within veterinary and zoonotic disease research. Concrete, you will:

• actively pursue funding opportunities (e.g. PPP, Horizon, industry contracts) through proactive stakeholder engagement, write proposals, and build consortia with industry and academia;
• lead B2B and publicly funded research projects on immune responses to viral infections and vaccination strategies in farm and laboratory animals;
• design immunological study plans (e.g. T cell phenotyping, intracellular cytokine staining, immune correlates of protection) and translate them into executable experimental workflows for technicians;
• guide the application of advanced technologies (such as spectral flow cytometry) ensuring robust panel design and data interpretation;
• apply established insights from human immunology to assess and interpret immune responses in farm and lab animal species;
• turn research outcomes into scientific publications and practical, actionable insights for stakeholders (such as project reports).

Your team
You will work at WBVR in Lelystad, The Netherlands, where research into infectious animal diseases delivers clear societal value.

Within the Department of Viral Infections and Pathology (VIP), you will join a multidisciplinary team with expertise in viral pathogens, animal model development, immunology, and pathology. You will collaborate closely with experienced researchers, project leaders and lab/bio-technicians.

Because we also work with high-containment pathogens (veterinary BSL-4 and human BSL-3), strict access and quarantine regulations can apply for specific studies. Some activities may require a quarantine period in line with EU regulations. This means employees may not keep cloven-hoofed animals and must avoid contact with such animals or poultry production sites for 72 hours after specific laboratory work.

WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant”.

Onderzoeker Toegepaste Immunologie van Virale Ziekten bij Landbouwhuisdieren

Wil je werken aan onderzoek dat echt impact heeft op dieren en mensen?

Wij zijn op zoek naar een enthousiaste en ervaren (Senior) Onderzoeker Toegepaste Immunologie en Virale Ziekten om het Departement Virale Infecties en Pathologie te versterken. In deze rol bestudeer je immuunresponsen bij landbouwhuisdieren en proefdieren, waarbij je zowel lokale als systemische responsen onderzoekt bij virale infecties en vaccinatie, en bij dieren van verschillende leeftijden. Je implementeert daarnaast immunologische assays voor diverse diersoorten. Je werk levert kennis en praktische oplossingen op die publieke en private stakeholders ondersteunen bij het verbeteren van diergezondheid, het versterken van ziektepreventie en het bevorderen van duurzame veehouderij.

Jouw rol
Als (Senior) Onderzoeker lever je een directe bijdrage aan onze missie om kennis over veterinaire en zoönotische ziekten te vergroten en zo de impact ervan op dieren en de samenleving te verminderen. Je bent verantwoordelijk voor het verwerven en leiden van immunologiegerichte projecten binnen het veterinaire en zoönotische onderzoeksdomein. Concreet:

• je zoekt actief naar financieringsmogelijkheden (bijv. PPP, Horizon, industrieopdrachten) door proactieve samenwerking met stakeholders, schrijft voorstellen en bouwt consortia met industrie en academische partners;
• je leidt B2B- en publiek gefinancierde onderzoeksprojecten naar immuunresponsen op virale infecties en vaccinatiestrategieën bij landbouwhuisdieren en proefdieren;
• je ontwerpt immunologische studieplannen (bijv. T‑cel‑fenotypering, intracellulaire cytokinekleuringen, immuun-correlaten van bescherming) en vertaalt deze naar uitvoerbare experimentele workflows voor technicians;
• je begeleidt de toepassing van geavanceerde technologieën (zoals spectrale flowcytometrie) en zorgt voor robuust paneelontwerp en correcte data‑interpretatie;
• je past bestaande inzichten uit de humane immunologie toe om immuunreacties bij landbouwhuisdieren en proefdieren te beoordelen en te interpreteren;
• je vertaalt onderzoeksresultaten naar wetenschappelijke publicaties en praktische, toepasbare inzichten voor stakeholders (zoals projectrapportages).

Jouw team
Je gaat aan de slag bij WBVR in Lelystad, waar onderzoek naar infectieziekten bij dieren duidelijke maatschappelijke waarde heeft.

Binnen het Departement Virale Infecties en Pathologie (VIP) werk je in een multidisciplinair team met expertise in virale pathogenen, diermodelontwikkeling, immunologie en pathologie. Je werkt nauw samen met ervaren onderzoekers, projectleiders en laboratorium-/biotechnicians.

Omdat we ook werken met hoog-risico pathogenen (veterinair BSL‑4 en humaan BSL‑3), kunnen voor bepaalde studies strikte toegangs- en quarantaineregels gelden. Sommige activiteiten vereisen een quarantainetermijn conform EU-richtlijnen. Dit betekent dat medewerkers geen evenhoevigen mogen houden en gedurende 72 uur na specifiek laboratoriumwerk geen contact mogen hebben met deze dieren of met pluimveebedrijven.

Junior Researcher Preclinical Models for High-impact Emerging Viruses

We are looking for a passionate junior scientist / postdoctoral fellow to join our research team and support us in our efforts to develop refined preclinical models for high-impact emerging viruses. You will be directly contributing to global pandemic preparedness efforts in a One Health context, specifically focusing on highly pathogenic human coronaviruses like SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, and tick-borne Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV).

In this role, you will design, oversee, execute and document preclinical studies to support future vaccine candidate evaluation. Your work will include performing wet-lab activities such as virological, immunological and hematological assays, supervising critical in-life study phases, and preparing all relevant documentation, including experimental protocols, study reports and publications.

Your role
As a junior scientist / postdoctoral fellow, your responsibilities will include:

• establishing refined preclinical infection models for human pathogenic coronaviruses and SFTSV;
• developing and improving laboratory assays (virology, immunology, hematology), especially under hBSL3 conditions;
• drafting experimental protocols and study reports as well as Standard Operating Procedures;
• publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present at national and/or international conferences;
• contributing to funding acquisition for new projects through proactive stakeholder engagement.

Your team
You will work at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) in Lelystad, The Netherlands, in the Department of Viral Infections and Pathology (VIP). You will join a multidisciplinary team with expertise in viral pathogens, preclinical models, immunology, and pathology. You will collaborate closely with experienced researchers and lab/bio-technicians.

At WBVR, you will have the opportunity to contribute directly to societally relevant research into infectious (animal) diseases. We offer you a varied, dynamic position in a well-equipped modern laboratory. In addition, you will work in a collaborative environment with both experienced and early‑career colleagues. You will work with project leaders, specialized scientists, technicians and supportive staff and often on multiple projects at the same time. Depending on your interests and ambitions, there is also room for professional growth and development.

Junior Onderzoeker Preklinische Modellen voor High‑impact Opkomende Virussen

Wij zijn op zoek naar een gemotiveerde junior wetenschapper / postdoctoraal onderzoeker om ons onderzoeksteam te versterken en ons te ondersteunen bij het ontwikkelen van verfijnde preklinische modellen voor high-impact opkomende virussen. Je draagt direct bij aan wereldwijde pandemische paraatheid binnen een One Health‑context, met een specifieke focus op hoog-pathogene humane coronavirussen zoals SARS‑CoV en MERS‑CoV, en het door teken overgedragen Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV).

In deze functie ontwerp, begeleid, voer en documenteer je preklinische studies ter ondersteuning van de toekomstige evaluatie van vaccinkandidaten. Je werkzaamheden omvatten het uitvoeren van laboratoriumexperimenten, zoals virologische, immunologische en hematologische assays, het superviseren van cruciale fasen in dierstudies, en het voorbereiden van alle relevante documentatie, waaronder experimentele protocollen, studieverslagen en publicaties.

Laboratory Technician – Viral Zoonoses

As a laboratory technician at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) in Lelystad, you will contribute to relevant research into infectious diseases in animals, including zoonoses: diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. We are looking for a motivated research technician to support our research teams working on highly pathogenic arboviruses such as Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV) and highly pathogenic coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV).

Your work will be varied and challenging. One day you will be processing samples from a preclinical study, the next day you will be helping colleagues develop and optimize laboratory tests. Much of the work will take place in human biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories. Are you accurate, enthusiastic, and do you enjoy working in a team? Then you will fit right in with our team, and we would be enthusiastic to meet you.

Your role
Your duties and responsibilities as a technician are:

• (assisting with) collecting, recording, processing, and analyzing various samples in BSL-2 and human BSL-3 laboratories;
• performing (traditional) virological tests such as virus titrations and virus neutralization tests;
• applying molecular and cell biological, hematological, or immunological tests for research (e.g., qPCR, immunohistochemistry, blood cell counts, clinical chemistry, ELISA, EliSpot);
• recording/registering data and documenting your own work and results;
• checking data and results from other projects for quality control (QC) purposes.

Your team
You will be working at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) in Lelystad, the Netherlands, within the Viral Infections and Pathology (VIP) department. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team with expertise in highly pathogenic viruses, preclinical models, immunology, and pathology. You will work closely with experienced researchers and laboratory/biotechnicians.

At WBVR, you will not only have the opportunity to contribute to socially relevant research into infectious (animal) diseases, but we also offer you a varied, dynamic position in a well-equipped laboratory with high-quality facilities and equipment. In addition, you will find yourself in a pleasant and collegial working environment. You will work in varying teams with project leaders, researchers, and other technicians, often on multiple projects simultaneously. The lines of communication are short, and even after your induction period, you can count on support when you need it. Depending on your interests and ambitions, there is also plenty of room for professional growth and development.

WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant”.