In the third year of my study of Applied Biology, I had already done an internship at (then) Bureau Waardenburg and I liked it: the type of projects, the collegiality, the innovative character. This all matched the way I was used to working from my studies. For me, enough reasons to send an open application after graduating.

The first 3.5 years of my time at Waardenburg Ecology I mainly did fish work: fish stock monitoring on rivers and in floodplains by means of electro- or seine fishing. But also macrofauna sampling, both marine and fresh. A lot of field work; I really enjoyed that. Then I decided that I wanted to see more of the world. I got a year of unpaid leave and went travelling through Australia. After that year I was not finished with the country and decided to quit my job at Waardenburg Ecology to travel further.

When I got home I first had another job, but my passion lay more in ecological research and I was allowed to return to Waardenburg Ecology. Now I am more widely deployable in the field of Aquatic Ecology, for example I do more amphibian research and I have started performing quick scans. In these fields I work with the more experienced colleagues and I do more and more myself.

I really enjoy being broadly deployable. I do all kinds of work within aquatic ecology, from fish and amphibian monitoring to dropcam research. In addition, I broaden my ecological knowledge by performing quick scans that cover all kinds of species groups. At first, that seemed like a lot, but I am becoming more and more familiar with it.

I also like having multiple trajectories. In addition to the existing work that I do, I am also in a learning trajectory for amphibian research and performing quick scans. I really wanted that. During the results & development discussions that I regularly have with my manager, I indicated this. Together we made a plan for this. I am very happy that there is room for that.

Doing what I like best: being outside with nature and doing my bit in the field of sustainability, ecology and nature restoration. There is a lot of flexibility within Waardenburg Ecology, within the agreements you can organize your work the way you want. I also like the collegiality, you can ask anyone anything. We are an accessible organization, which makes it easy for everyone to drop in and get a lot of information.

Due to the size of the organization, we can do small things, but also very large projects in which you see and learn a lot. Everything is done with the same enthusiasm and skill.

Are you looking for a company with challenges, fun colleagues and cool projects, apply to Waardenburg Ecology!