News ILVO urgently seeking workers for field trials

Are you looking for a job where you can make a real impact on the future of our food and agricultural systems? Do you enjoy working as part of a team on both traditional and innovative crops? Become a key player in research that helps shape the agriculture of tomorrow!

As a field assistant at ILVO, you’ll work at the intersection of science and practice. Together with your colleagues, you’ll set up field trials, closely monitor the crops, and ensure proper harvesting and processing of the material. You’ll primarily work on our own grounds. At ILVO, you won’t be working on an assembly line; instead, you’ll contribute to the public good and make the world a little better.

Because you’ll be involved in various projects, the job offers a lot of variety. You’ll work standard daytime hours and be supervised by a coordinator who sets up a weekly schedule for the group. During the growing season, work hours may sometimes be a bit longer—after all, we follow nature’s rhythm.

What will you be doing specifically?

Conducting fieldwork in diverse, sometimes innovative crops (such as chicory, chickpeas, and quinoa)
Taking soil samples
Setting up test fields (sowing and planting) according to pre-determined plans
Maintaining test fields: fertilizing and ensuring weed-free plots
Harvesting with great precision, without cross-contamination between crops;
Cleaning machinery and properly processing harvested material (drying, cleaning)

What do we offer?

We offer you a fixed-term contract for the period from April through November 2026. You will be hired at a salary level based on your degree. You can use the Salary Simulator (note: select “based on seniority” under salary system, as your relevant experience may be taken into account) to calculate your monthly salary, vacation pay, and year-end bonus. Relevant experience may be considered as financial seniority.

You’ll have a varied, challenging, and socially relevant job in a dynamic environment with plenty of opportunities for growth. An ILVO employee works hard but also knows how to enjoy life thanks to flexible working hours and a generous leave policy. All in all, you can enjoy 35 vacation days based on last year’s performance (private employment).

Additionally: hospitalization and group insurance, commuting allowance (bike – public transport), meal vouchers (€8/day), and the option for bike leasing.

Read the (Dutch-language) job description here: Proefveldmedewerker