Chemical Analyst

Your job

Do you enjoy hands-on laboratory work? Would you like to work with modern laboratory equipment and contribute to food safety? Then this could be your next career step.

At Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), we are looking for a Chemical Analyst PFAS to join our Contaminants Team. You do not need years of experience, although that is certainly welcome. What matters most to us is that you work accurately, are curious, and are eager to continue developing your skills.

What will you do?

As a Chemical Analyst, you will contribute to the analysis of PFAS, a group of chemical substances that currently receives significant attention. Your work will help provide insight into the presence of PFAS in food products and other sample types.

You will have a varied and predominantly hands-on laboratory role, while also being involved in the processing and reporting of analytical results. Your responsibilities will include:

• preparing and processing samples;
• performing PFAS analyses according to established procedures and work instructions;
• operating laboratory equipment, including LC-MS/MS;
• processing and reviewing measurement data and assessing whether results meet quality requirements;
• recording and reporting analytical results;
• maintaining accurate and complete laboratory records;
• keeping the laboratory clean, safe, and well organized.

You will work according to established procedures and clear instructions. If something appears unusual or a sample does not meet expectations, you will raise the issue and discuss it with colleagues.

Initially, you will work closely with experienced analysts. This allows you to learn the profession in practice and gradually develop greater independence.

Your Team

You will join the Contaminants Team at WFSR in Wageningen. The team consists of chemical analysts, researchers, and project leaders. Together, we investigate chemical substances that may be present in food and other products.

PFAS forms an important part of our work, and we expect a growing number of analyses in the coming years. This means there is plenty of work and many opportunities to learn and develop.

You will collaborate with colleagues who have extensive experience in PFAS analysis and techniques such as LC-MS/MS. Previous experience with this technique is not required; you will have the opportunity to gain both knowledge and practical experience.

We believe in supporting one another. You will not be left to figure things out alone. Together, we ensure that work is completed accurately, safely, and on time.

Your qualities

You:

• have completed at least a relevant MBO (vocational) education in Chemistry, Laboratory Technology, or a comparable field;
• enjoy practical laboratory work;
• work accurately and care about producing high-quality results;
• can follow procedures and instructions carefully;
• handle measurement data with care and enjoy processing and reporting results;
• are comfortable asking questions when something is unclear;
• notice when situations deviate from expectations;
• enjoy learning new skills and knowledge;
• work well both independently and as part of a team.

Experience with LC-MS/MS or working within a quality system such as ISO is considered an advantage but is certainly not a requirement. If you do not yet have this experience, we will be happy to teach you.

You will be given responsibility, work alongside experienced colleagues, and contribute directly to food safety research through your own work.

You do not need to know everything already. We are looking for someone who is careful, curious, and motivated to learn.

As our organization continues to become more international, English is increasingly used in daily communication. For this position, a B2 level of English proficiency is required. If you have not yet reached this level, we will support your development through Wageningen in’to Language, our language center.

We recognize that some of the requirements listed here can also be viewed as development opportunities. Therefore, if you do not yet meet every requirement but do have solid relevant work experience, we would still very much like to hear from you.

About the Organization

At Wageningen Food Safety Research, we address challenges related to food safety, the environment, and public health. The Contaminants Team develops and performs chemical analyses for national and international clients, including the Dutch government, European research programs, and various knowledge partners.

PFAS represents an important and growing area of expertise within the team. We perform analyses across a wide range of sample types and continuously work on maintaining and improving our analytical methods. As a Chemical Analyst, you will make a direct contribution to this work and to providing reliable information on the presence of PFAS and other contaminants.

We offer

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent employment conditions, including:

• flexible working hours to support a healthy work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• strong focus on employee well-being and access to on-campus sports facilities at attractive rates;
• a structural year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• an excellent pension scheme through ABP.

In addition to these benefits, the position offers a gross monthly salary between €2,962 and €3,728 (scale 6, based on a 36-hour work week), depending on your experience.

A 32-hour work week is negotiable.

Initially, you will be offered a one-year contract, which may be extended based on good performance.

Wageningen University & Research offers extensive opportunities for professional growth and development through strong internal recruitment policies and excellent training opportunities.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, within an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, Wageningen University has been ranked as the best university in the Netherlands, making it a workplace to be proud of.

Important information

For more information about the position, please contact Bas de Koster,Team Leader, by email: bas.dekoster@wur.nl.

Questions about the recruitment process can be directed to Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, by email: rutger.voorrips@wur.nl.

How to Apply

Please submit your application via the vacancy page on the WUR website. Only applications submitted through the website will be considered.

The vacancy is open until 19 October 2026. Internal candidates are encouraged to apply before 27 September 2026.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Therefore, the vacancy may be filled before the stated closing date.

Welcome, Safe and Valued

Wageningen University & Research highly values diversity and inclusion. We believe that different perspectives lead to innovative solutions. We therefore strive to create a working environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and valued, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we build a culture in which every individual's unique contribution helps drive 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.