Research position Animal Breeding and Genomics

Your job

Shape the future of sustainable livestock breeding

Are you passionate about animal breeding, quantitative genetics, and translating scientific discoveries into practical solutions? Do you want your research to have a direct impact on the sustainability, health, and resilience of livestock systems worldwide?

At Animal Breeding and Genomics (ABG), part of Wageningen Livestock research, you will work at the forefront of innovation in animal breeding. Together with leading scientists, industry partners, and stakeholders, you will develop cutting-edge breeding strategies that contribute to healthier animals, lower environmental impact, and a more sustainable livestock sector.

This is a unique opportunity to combine scientific excellence with real-world impact in an internationally recognized research environment.

What will you do?

As a researcher in Animal Breeding and Genomics, you will contribute to both ongoing and new research initiatives. You will have the freedom to develop innovative ideas, build collaborations, and help shape the future research agenda of our team.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Contributing to innovative research projects focused on sustainable animal breeding across different livestock species.
• Developing new breeding applications and genetic solutions that address societal challenges such as animal health, environmental sustainability, feed efficiency, methane emissions, and resilience.
• Performing advanced quantitative genetic and genomic analyses using large-scale datasets and state-of-the-art methodologies, including the application and further development of scientific software such as MoBPS and MiXBLUP;
• Working closely with researchers, industry partner, breeding organizations, and national and international collaborators to translate scientific knowledge into practical applications.
• Publishing scientific results in peer-reviewed journals and presenting research findings at international conferences, stakeholder meetings, and industry events.

Your team

You will become part of Animal Breeding and Genomics, a unique collaboration between Wageningen University and Wageningen Livestock Research. ABG brings together approximately 100 100 researchers, project leaders, PhD candidates, and analysts who share a common ambition: advancing animal breeding through scientific innovation and practical application. Our expertise spans quantitative genetics, breeding programs, genetic diversity, sensor technology, and big data analytics across cattle, pigs, poultry, and aquaculture species.

Why join us?

• Work on research that directly contributes to sustainable food production and animal health.
• Collaborate with world-leading scientists and industry partners.
• Combine scientific excellence with practical impact.
• Access unique datasets, infrastructure, and international networks.
• Be part of a diverse, collaborative, and inspiring research environment where innovation and personal development are encouraged.

Help shape the future of animal breeding and make a tangible contribution to a more sustainable livestock sector.

Our strength lies in combining fundamental scientific knowledge with applied research. We work closely with breeding companies, farmers, governments, NGOs, and academic partners around the world to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in livestock production.

You will join a collaborative, ambitious, and supportive team where disciplinary thinking, scientific curiosity, and societal impact go hand in hand.

Your qualities

You are an enthusiastic and proactive scientist who enjoys translating complex data into practical solutions. You are comfortable working in multidisciplinary teams, building new collaborations, and taking initiative in developing innovative research ideas.

You also bring:

• A PhD in animal breeding, quantitative genetics, genomics, or a related discipline.
• Experience with quantitative genetic analyses and statistical modelling, ideally complemented by programming skills in languages such as R, Python, C++, or Fortran.
• A strong interest in applying research to real-world challenges in livestock production.
• Experience working in collaborative research projects and interacting with multiple stakeholders.
• A proven scientific track record demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations.

In addition, you are:

• Proactive and entrepreneurial.
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented.
• Flexible and solution-focused.
• Client-oriented and results-driven.
• An excellent communicator.

Strong English communication skills (C1 level) are required. Knowledge of Dutch is considered an advantage.

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;
• 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 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. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between € 3,554.- and € 6,471.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10/11). Additionally, for this role a contract for 32 to 36 hours can be discussed. We initially offer a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the organisation’s financial situation.

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.

Coming from abroad

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 “orientationyear*” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “*knowledge migrant”.

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.

Important information

For more information about the position, please contact dr. Esther Ellen, via phone number: +31 317 481890 or via email: mt.wlr_abg@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, Corporate Recruiter, via email: recruitment.asg@wur.nl.

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 up to and including November 22, 2026. The interviews will take place on 25 November and 2 December.

Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.

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”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.