Postdoc in Analytical Chemistry

Your job

Can advanced analytical chemistry reveal both the risks and benefits of perennial rye?

Perennial rye is emerging as a promising crop for more sustainable grain production, with potential benefits for soil health, climate resilience, and resource efficiency. However, little is known about how perennial growth influences the accumulation of natural toxins and beneficial compounds in grain. This project aims to address these knowledge gaps by comparing perennial and annual rye systems and evaluating their implications for food safety, nutritional quality, and sustainable agriculture.

What will you do?

Using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, your postdoctoral project will investigate the occurrence and structural diversity of natural toxins and other secondary metabolites in perennial and annual rye grain. The results will contribute to a better understanding of the links between crop longevity, soil health, grain quality, and food safety.

Your duties and responsibilities include

• elucidate structural diversity of natura toxins in perennial ryegrass using high resolution mass spectrometry and computational tools for non-targeted data analysis;
• perform data processing, statistical analysis, and interpretation of complex metabolomics datasets;
• disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, presentations at scientific conferences, and engagement with project partners;
• contribute to project meetings and collaborate with multidisciplinary researchers within the consortium.

You will work here

The project is part of the  GoodGrain consortium, coordinated by Aarhus University and funded by  Plant2Food awarded to  Laura Righetti , which will be executed in the  Laboratory of Organic Chemistry , which is headed by  Prof. Han Zuilhof . You will be supervised by Dr. Laura Righetti.

Your qualities

You are a postdoctoral researcher holding a PhD in Analytical Chemistry, with demonstrated expertise in high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and experience in metabolomics data analysis. You are scientifically curious, collaborative, and motivated to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary research environment.

You also possess

• experience in the analysis and structural elucidation of natural products is preferred;
• excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset;
• experience in supervision of MSc thesis students.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about  language level C1.

We offer

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 € 3.706,- and € 5.760,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the  Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended, if possible within (company) organizational circumstances, on good performance, for the duration of the project.

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organization. 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.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.

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.

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, dual career programs 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 Laura Righetti, Assistant Professor, via email: laura.righetti@wur.nl . Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, via email: rutger.voorrips@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 November 2nd, 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before the 9th of October 2026.

To apply, please send the following documents

• complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae;
• motivation letter.

Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

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.

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