Researcher in wastewater and industrial water treatment (32-40 hours)

About the function

We are looking for an innovative and results-oriented mid-level researcher in the field of (waste)water treatment and reuse in the industrial and wastewater sector. You will conduct research into these processes in water treatment in order to better assist our customers in finding solutions to challenges in the water chain. The research questions you will be working on link water quality, process management, design, efficiency, and sustainability within the water chain. You will devise and develop experimental plans, analyze data, interpret results, identify opportunities and bottlenecks for our customers, and assist in setting up research projects and raising research funds. You will map out complex underlying processes in a coherent manner.

Because you also support customers during the implementation phase, you understand the impact of your research and can translate that into new opportunities. The position also offers you the opportunity to expand your network and share knowledge through conferences and international assignments.

Your duties will include:

• Conducting desk studies into opportunities for innovative (waste)water treatment methods, water reuse, and resource recovery.
• Analyzing and interpreting research results from laboratory and pilot studies, translating them into the next step in the research process, and implementing them in practice.
• Maintaining contact with our customers and project partners about the substantive progress of our projects. This includes presenting the results to our customers and at conferences.
• Exploring innovations in water technology that are relevant to the challenges faced by our customers in the water chain.

About you

You enjoy acquiring scientific insights and knowledge and translating them into practical applications. You are an enthusiastic and results-driven colleague. You are innovative and communicative, a good team player, customer-focused, and you know how to plan and organize your work effectively. You have experience in acquisition, maintaining customer contacts, and developing research plans for clients.

Furthermore:

• you have graduated and/or obtained a PhD from a (technical) university (e.g. in chemical engineering, environmental technology, water management, water technology, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, etc.);
• you have extensive relevant work experience (5-10 years) in water treatment and the sectors mentioned above;
• you have experience in raising research funds;
• you are fluent in spoken and written Dutch and English;
• you preferably have a network and experience within the Dutch water sector.

If you do not meet the full profile but are enthusiastic about this position, we would still like to receive your motivation letter and CV.

What we offer

We are strongly committed to personal growth and career development and offer various opportunities for this, such as a good onboarding program and various courses and skills training. A good work-life balance is our priority. KWR offers excellent primary and secondary employment conditions and is affiliated with the Water Companies Collective Labor Agreement. Depending on your experience, you will receive a salary between € 5.317 and € 8.351 per month, including a 22.11% flexible budget. In addition, working from home is also an option.

About the team Water Treatment & Resource Recovery

The team conducts challenging research in the field of water technology with the aim of achieving optimal water quality and sustainability and exploiting the value of water in a changing society. There is growing interest in (industrial) water reuse, and the challenges in the wastewater sector are numerous. Developments in water treatment processes and the increasing focus on the discharge of treated water in relation to the quality of water sources are leading to many research questions in this area. The team has built up an excellent reputation in the field of water purification and resource recovery and, as a result, now needs to be strengthened.

About KWR

KWR is an internationally renowned research institute in the field of water quality, water systems thinking, and sustainable (nature) development. Our mission is to bridge science and practice. From our almost entirely sustainable building with state-of-the-art laboratories, our approximately 200 employees work in two knowledge groups on innovative projects in the Netherlands and, increasingly, in Europe and beyond. Our shareholders are the ten Dutch drinking water companies and the Belgian company De Watergroep.

Our researchers work at the intersection of science, implementation practice, business, and society. Their strength lies in translating scientific knowledge into applicable practical solutions. To support its research, KWR has specialized laboratories, a test hall, a test pond, and test installations built in-house that are often used in (on-site) practical research at our clients’ premises.

Are you the researcher who combines scientific ambition with a market-oriented perspective? If so, please email your cover letter and resume to vacancy@kwrwater.nl before December 6, 2025, quoting vacancy number 250021. The first interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, December 10.

More information

For more detailed information about the position, please contact Erwin Beerendonk (team leader Water Treatment & Resource Recovery) on +31 (0)30 6069 669 or at erwin.beerendonk@kwrwater.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Eduard Post (HR Advisor) on +31 (0)30 6069 633 or at eduard.post@kwrwater.nl.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.