Researcher Mushroom breeding and cultivation

Do you have a passion for mushrooms, and would you like to become a world leading expert in edible mushroom cultivation and in breeding for novel applications of mushrooms? Joining the dynamic and growing Mushroom Research Group of Wageningen University and Research offers you this opportunity.

Embedded within WUR and in collaboration with multiple departments, the work of the Mushroom Research Group revolves around improvements of fungi for food and non-food applications. Close interactions with our academic, international and commercial partners provide a unique position for the initiation of new strategic research and key future technologies for novel applications of mushroom fungi. In this setting we have a position for a research project leader who is keen on operating at the interface of academics and industry. Are you the person that can:

• Integrate new knowledge on solid state fermentation with breeding fungi for food and non-food purposes
• Define and instigate new strategic research projects contributing to the Mushroom Research Group mission and goals
• Develop and maintain a solid network with the national and international mushroom industry
• Strike a balance between fundamental research and bilateral, applied research with partners

In that case we welcome you to join the Mushroom Research Group. We are a closely collaborating team of professionals, with strong connections between members. Supporting each other is a key value, as only our combined expertise enables successful performance of our projects. Our teams’ main location is the Wageningen Campus where our labs and mushroom cultivation facility are located, and where we share a couple of offices.

We ask

• A PhD in fungal biology or microbiology related to solid state fermentation
• Basic knowledge on (fungal) genetics or inclination to learn this
• Demonstrated independent research abilities (e.g., a completed postdoc or a project managing position)
• Capability and enthusiasm for acquisition of new projects and collaborations between academics and industry
• Social skills enabling professional and pleasant interaction with colleagues from all levels and with our diverse national and international partners
• Excellent communication and academic reporting abilities in Dutch and English, or fluency in English and willingness to learn Dutch
• A critical yet practical service oriented ‘can do’ attitude
• A driver’s license valid for Europe   

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, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 4% (as of December 2021);
• 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 € 3.527,- and € 6.229,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the 

CLA Wageningen Research

 (scale 11-12). The initial contract will be for two years, with the intention of a permanent position.

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.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research center 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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief , known as the 30% ruling. 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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

More information

For more information about this position, please contact Arend van Peer, group leader, by e-mail [email protected] .

For more information about the procedure, please contact [email protected] .

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.
This vacancy will be listed up to and including 14 November 2022.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organization and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page . A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

We are

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

Read the 5 reasons  why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video  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.

Plant Breeding  is a merger of a Wageningen University chairgroup and a Wageningen Research business unit, and we are active in fundamental and strategic research, in teaching at MSc and PhD level and in custom-made courses, and in breeding. This position is at Wageningen Research.