Technician - Insect Sensory Ecology

Do you want to work in a research group that studies how insects function in their ecological setting and how they evolve? Do you enjoy working with other scientists in data collection in the field of sensory ecology? Are you enthusiastic about insect physiology and behaviour? Then you might be the candidate we are looking for!

As lab technician in insect sensory ecology, you will actively support the research and teaching programs of the Laboratory of Entomology, in particular for our research and education on chemical ecology, insect physiology and insect neurobiology. Our programs address the fundamental and applied biology of insect-plant and insect-human/animal interactions. We investigate physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying insect behavior and development, including how insects’ sense and perceive their environment, the rich variety of chemical cues that they use in their ecological interactions, and how their innate and learned responses guide the recognition and selection of potential hosts. We investigate this for insect-plant interactions, sexual communication, host-parasite interactions such as blood-feeding arthropods, and interactions between insects and their parasitoids and predators. Studying the mechanisms and evolutionary drivers of sensory information for insects will contribute to our understanding of the complex dynamics of insect communities, and on the origin and conservation of biodiversity. We search for an enthusiastic and team-oriented insect sensory ecologist to complement the team at the Laboratory of Entomology.

For this position, there is a specific need to support the work that focuses on chemical ecology, electrophysiology, confocal laser-scanning and conventional microscopy, histology and behavioural assays. Your responsibility will be to set up and conduct experiments, including the interpretation and analysis of data, and to assist and co-supervise PhDs and students in carrying out their experiments and in collection, processing and interpretation of data. You will collect and analyse volatiles and secondary plant metabolites, conduct electrophysiological recordings (EAGs, EPGs and tip recordings), use histology and microscopy to visualize insect and plant features (e.g. neurons, trichomes), and perform behavioural assays (e.g., choice experiments, behavioural observations). You will participate in training students, PhDs and post-docs in using the equipment for these experiments. You will have responsibilities regarding the maintenance of the experimental equipment, and the general up-keeping of specific facilities (e.g., sensory ecology lab, behaviour lab). You will also be involved in practical aspects of teaching, including the preparation of materials, supervising practicals and co-supervision of BSc and MSc thesis students. In addition, you provide hands-on support for insect rearing and the setting up and maintenance of (a.o. genetically modified) insect lines.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• facilitate, conduct and support research on various study systems that is being carried out by the teams, headed by different principal investigators
• provide support in the provision and organization of practical education, including co-supervision and training of BSc and MSc students
• manage and maintain designated facilities and equipmentcontribute to insect rearing activities where necessary

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• 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. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between €3.218,- and €4.298,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 8). This is a position for 0.8 fte. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within our organizational circumstances - on good performance. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

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 “orientation year” 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. 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. The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated. You are a communicative person who feels responsible for organisation of experiments, accuracy of data collection and data storage. You particularly enjoy the sensory and chemical ecology of insects, and dissecting the physiological and behavioural mechanisms for their perception of chemical cues. You can work independently, and you are flexible in switching between tasks. You have affinity with the teaching and co-supervision of students, and providing instructions and advise for their xperimental assignments. You enjoy working as part of a team, with shared responsibilities for the research, education and maintenance of the facilities of the Laboratory of Entomology.

You also possess:

• A higher education degree (HBO or University) in life sciences, including insect biology
• Experience with electrophysiology, microscopy, and neurobiology of insects or
• Knowledge of chemical ecology including knowhow regarding HPLC and GC-MS techniques
• Knowledge on experimental design is highly appreciated
• We expect excellent communication skills in English

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

You will work here
The position is embedded within the Laboratory of Entomology Lab of Entomology - WUR, which consists of a team of ambitious scientists, lecturers, support staff, Postdocs and PhD candidates. Our team and laboratory offer a diverse and open-minded environment with both scientific and social activities. The Laboratory of Entomology is led by Prof. Bregje Wertheim (Bregje Wertheim - Wageningen University & Research) and your line manager will be Dr. Alexander Haverkamp (Alexander Haverkamp - Wageningen University & Research). For more information about the position, please contact Bregje Wertheim, Chair of the Laboratory of Entomology, bregje.wertheim@wur.nl

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van 't Land, Corporate Recruiter, via 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 until September 8, 2025.
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.