Are you an energetic and well-organized Contract Manager who enjoys supporting grant advisors with administrative processes and the contractual management of research projects? Would you like to be part of the international world of scientific research and research funding?

Your job

Are you an energetic and well-organized Contract Manager who enjoys supporting grant advisors with administrative processes and the contractual management of research projects? Would you like to be part of the international world of scientific research and research funding? If so, we may be looking for you!

Our researchers independently acquire research projects funded by organizations such as the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and the European Union. These projects focus on themes such as sustainability, food safety, and the relationship between people and their environment.

As a Contract Management Officer, you will work alongside several other contract managers to support the grant advisors of the Liaison Office in all aspects related to the acquisition, contracting, and awarding of research projects. In close collaboration with the grant advisors, you will manage the required documentation and signing authorities, prepare standard contracts and straightforward budgets, coordinate signatures and archiving (including through Corsa and DocuSign), and contribute to maintaining a complete and consistent CRM system.

In short, this legal and administrative role positions you as the right hand of the grant advisors.

Your Key Responsibilities

supporting grant advisors in preparing acquisition and award documentation;
processing amendments to standard contracts and terms & conditions as proposed by grant advisors and legal specialists;
in consultation with grant advisors:

drafting and processing standard agreements;
supporting European grant application and administration processes, including the completion of external funding portals;
coordinating the signing of contracts;
preparing straightforward project budgets;
managing the administrative processing and archiving of legal and project documentation;
handling correspondence with clients and project partners;

maintaining contact with colleagues, including researchers and administrative support staff within the chair groups.

You will become part of the Liaison Office team within the Department of Social Sciences, which is part of the Social Sciences Group of Wageningen University & Research (WUR).

Within Wageningen University & Research, there is also a similar vacancy called Paralegal.

Your qualities

To Be Successful In This Role, You Bring

a higher professional education (HBO) level of working and thinking, or an MBO qualification supplemented by substantial relevant work experience and additional professional training or courses;
knowledge of and experience with reviewing and drafting contracts and general terms and conditions;
relevant work experience within a complex organization is an advantage;
solid knowledge of Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office 365, and SharePoint;
a service-oriented mindset with strong planning, organizational, and prioritization skills;
a pragmatic approach and the ability to work collaboratively towards practical solutions;
a high degree of flexibility and a proactive attitude;
clear, professional, and customer-focused communication skills;
good command of both Dutch and English, spoken and written.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level (https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale) B2.

We offer

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/conditions-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;
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 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. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between € 3,231.- and € 4,374.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 8). For this role a contract for 32 - 36 hours can be discussed. We initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance.

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. 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.

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. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center (https://wcfv.nl/en/home/global/our-services/happy-landing-and-living/). 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 (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/expats-new-international-staff) 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.

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”.

Important information

For more information about the position, please contact Laura de Graaf, Head Liaison Office SSG, via telephonenumber: +31 317-480982, or via email: laura.degraaf@wur.nl (mailto:laura.degraaf@wur.nl).

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jeanine van 't Veer-Drost, Corporate Recruiter SSG: recruitment.ssg@wur.nl (mailto:recruitment.ssg@wur.nl).

Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

Ready to apply?

You can apply up to and including 8 July 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 21 June 2026.

Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.

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 (https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Why-choose-WUR.htm) 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.

Wageningen University & Research

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