Researcher Animal Breeding and Genomics

Your job

Are you the enthusiastic researcher with a background in cryoconservation of genetic material? Do you want to pioneer innovative cryotechnologies that safeguard the genetic diversity of livestock and fish to preserve biodiversity? Join our passionate team within Animal Breeding and Genomics at Wageningen Livestock Research!

Your focus will be in the field of cryoconservation and reproductive technologies for various livestock species, including fish. As a researcher in cryoconservation, you will work on developing and improving techniques to collect, process and store genetic material (sperm, embryos, egg cells, and ovarian tissue) from a wide range of farm animal species – from cattle and chicken to sheep, bees and aquatic species. Importantly, you will help to develop strategies for female cryoconservation. You will contribute to ongoing research activities, while also taking initiative to expand and strengthen our research portfolio. Close collaboration with colleagues, industry partners and research collaborators is key to ensure both scientific excellence and practical relevance.

Your duties and responsibilities as a researcher include:

• conduct research on cryobiological principles and their application across livestock and aquatic species;
• collaborate with laboratory research assistants to develop new technologies and protocols to store genetic material and to develop IVF protocols in the lab;
• report and present research findings to scientific audiences and stakeholders;
• contribute to the acquisition of new projects and research funding;
• supervising a PhD student in the European Consortium CryoStore.

Your team

A significant portion of your activities will be part of the Centre of genetic Resources (CGN) program, which is part of ABG. CGN carries out statutory research tasks aimed at preserving genetic diversity in farm animals and aquaculture through gene banks, research, and advisory services. We are a project orientated organization, with team work as a key competence. Therefore we expect you to have the skills required to work in these project teams, including stakeholders and partners. The group collaborates nationally and internationally with academic partners, industry, governments, and livestock farmers. Its research focuses on areas such as cryo-conservation of genetic material, big data analytics, breeding value estimation, phenotyping of novel traits in various species, and bioinformatics.

You will work here

You will work at Animal Breeding and Genomics of Wageningen University & Research.

Your qualities

You are result-oriented and decisive, with a clear focus on achieving goals. You take initiative, keep client needs in mind, and know how to bring parties together. By fostering collaboration and building strong networks, you create support and impact in complex projects. You thrive in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments, and enjoy working in diverse teams of scientists.

You also possess:

• a PhD and work experience in reproductive or cryobiology, genetics, animal biotechnology, genomics, or a related field;
• understanding of animal reproductive biology, genetic resource management, genetics, genomics, and physiology of animals / fish;
• experience with cryopreservation of gametes, embryos or tissues (ideally in livestock);
• ability to work in a team of diverse scientists and multidisciplinary teams;
• scientific track record with peer-reviewed publications;
• key competences: pro-active, collaborative, flexible, client- and result-oriented.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C2. Dutch is 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.

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.

Important information

For more information about the position, please contact Dr. Esther Ellen, Head of department of the Animal Breeding and Genomics department of Wageningen Livestock Research, via phonenumber: +31 317 481890 or via email: esther.ellen@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Dax Teunissen, Corporate Recruiter, via email: vacaturemeldingen.psg@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 Sunday August 30, 2026. The first interviews are scheduled for 3, 7, 8, September 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before Sunday August 9, 2026.

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

Procedure

As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.

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.