Research Assistant Aquatic Ecology/Chemical Laboratory - NIOO-KNAW - Wageningen

What will you be doing? 

Working as a Research Assistant within the Department of Aquatic Ecology you will be supporting the research of five scientists and their teams of Postdocs, PhDs, Masters students and interns. You will work within a team of five research assistants, contributing to general tasks with a focus on independently performing, developing and interpreting analyses in the chemical and molecular laboratories. The most common analyses are water chemistry (e.g. nutrients) and pollutant analyses, such as pharmaceuticals. Moreover, it involves the analysis and methods development of a range of biochemical analyses such as photosynthetic pigments, elements, stable isotopes and metabolites in samples from aquatic systems and cultures, such as algae and zooplankton and the application of basic molecular methods.

What will you be contributing?

We are looking for a flexible team player who is inspired by the NIOO-KNAW core values (collaborative, impactful, innovative, responsible and inclusive) and wants to contribute to maintaining a friendly and welcoming environment within the Department and the NIOO-KNAW. You will have a natural affinity and experience with chemical analyses. You are confident to assist in research design and advise on methodological improvements and in making methodological choices to address particular research questions. You are (together with the research assistant team) responsible for smooth running of the laboratories and facilities including procurement, safety aspects, quality assurance and control, cleaning, organizing and planning. In collaboration with scientists, you will help to plan practical work, independently guide lab users and execute and adapt specific tasks needed to complete research. In addition, you will mentor and supervise students during practical work.

You will play an active role in analyzing and interpreting data, providing input for reports or scientific publications. As part of the NIOO-KNAW you will participate in outreach activities such as open days and citizen science events. Your expertise will help optimize, maintain, develop, and contribute to parts of the quality assurance and quality control workflows.

What skills do you bring in?

• Minimum MBO4 or HBO level qualification
• Experience in at least one of: Water chemistry and nutrient analyses (auto-analyzer, colorimetry), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), CN elemental analyzer (EA), Isotope ratio- mass spectrometry (IRMS), gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS), TIC-TOC analyser, HPLC-MS-MS, UV-VIS spectrophotometry, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), basic molecular techniques, such as DNA and RNA extraction and PCR.
• Experience in chemical preparation and extraction techniques and confidence in methods development
• Familiarity with safety and risk assessment procedures
• Experience with or willing to develop mentoring and supervising skills
• Data processing and IT skills (proficiency with Microsoft office packages) with experience of interpreting and reporting results
• Flexible to adapt to a varying intensity and topics in the work
• Quality-oriented and open-minded with a willingness to learn
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English and willing to learn Dutch

What are we offering?

We offer an interesting research assistant position for 0.8 – 1.0 fte for one year with the possibility to become permanent.

Your workplace

You will be appointed at the Department of Aquatic Ecology of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) located in Wageningen. For detailed information on the Acquatic Ecology Department, please visit our website: Aquatic Ecology | Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW).

For more information

Questions regarding this position can be directed to the Head of Aquatic Ecology Prof. Suzanne McGowan (email: s.mcgowan@nioo.knaw.nl). Information on the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) can be found on the website: http://www.nioo.knaw.nl/

Application procedure

Your application, in English, should include a cover letter detailing your motivation (max 1 page), your CV and contact information for two references.

The closing date for application is 2 January 2026 and first round interviews will be held on 21 January 2026.

About NIOO
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO) is a national research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). At NIOO we perform ecological research on biodiversity, climate change and sustainable use of land and water. We stimulate ecological research in the Netherlands and share our ecological knowledge with society. Everyone in our organisation is passionate about contributing to a sustainable world from their own area of expertise.

Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 3.382 and the maximum salary is € 4.484 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 8 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).  

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.