PhD Sustainable Plant Fractionation

 

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student to work within the larger project on sustainable plant fractionation. In the larger project several PhD students in different chairgroups at Wageningen work on the development of new approaches to fractionate components from plant materials. As PhD in this project, you will study prevention of enzymatic processes leading to formation of off-flavour and off-colour during plant protein isolation. Working under oxygen-poor (or oxygen-free) conditions will be a focus point.

During the extraction and further processing of plant proteins, enzymes such as lipases, lipoxygenases and poly-phenoloxidases (PPO) can be active. This can lead to formation of lipid oxidation products and brown coloured phenol-protein complexes. There is an increasing pressure to avoid sulfite to inhibit these reactions, so there is an urgent need to find alternative methods, e.g. by working under oxygen-free conditions. To reach the aims, the candidate will work on characterization of the activity of the enzymes present, under a range of conditions. Different approaches should be developed to inhibit the activity during isolation as well as when applied in food products. The effects of the different treatments on protein composition as well as structure, and techno-functional properties will be analysed.

As a colleague at the Laboratory of Food Chemistry, you will be part of a dynamic international group of food chemists; with state-of-the-art infrastructure to conduct your research. In parallel, studies at NIZO will be performed on the translation to larger scale methods. During the project, there will be close contact with the partners, to provide context on the conditions and restraints on larger industrial scale.
 

We ask

For this position we are looking for a candidate with the following qualifications:

• a successfully completed academic degree (MSc level; recognized in The Netherlands) in (Food/analytical) Chemistry, Biochemistry or Molecular Life Sciences;
• practical experience with complex systems, protein chemistry or enzyme activity will strongly add to the suitability of a candidate;
• excellent research skills;
• ability to collaborate with other researchers and support their analytical endeavours;
• excellent English language proficiency (a minimum of CEFR C2 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.

 

We offer

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our  Collective Labour Agreement include:

• 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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.


The gross salary for the first year is € 2.443,- per month rising to € 3.122,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. 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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.
 

More information

Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Prof.dr.ir. Jean-Paul Vincken, Chair of the laboratory of Food Chemistry, telephone number +31 317482234; or Dr.ir. Peter A. Wierenga, assistant professor in proteins at FCH, telephone number +31 317487386.
 
Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly by uploading your CV and motivation letter, using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 31-05-2022. The preferred starting date for this position is October 2022.


 

We are

The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named the best university of the Netherlands by students for the 17^th time in a row.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!
 

Apply now

PhD 'performance and robustness of tilapia-shrimp polycultures in Java'

 

Are you looking for a PhD position in the area of modelling and analysing bioeconomic interactions in multispecies aquaculture systems in Indonesia?

Multispecies systems in aquaculture are promising because they benefit local food security and have the potential to lead to higher farm incomes. Smallholders in Java are currently experimenting with these systems. However, the exact interactions between species and their effects on growth, health, waste and crop failure have not yet been explored. This PhD research will model and interpret the performance and risks of multispecies aquaculture systems thereby focusing on genetic issues and farm economic implications. Improved insights in the performance and robustness of multispecies aquaculture systems enable policy makers and business to develop highly specialized single-species systems into more sustainable and resilient food systems.

The research builds on already established work with the RIFB institute in Sukamandi, Java. This will facilitate the collection of additional farm data. The PhD-research is a joint project of the Animal Breeding and Genomic group and the Business Economics group. You will be appointed at the Animal Breeding and Genetics Group.

We ask

• a university degree (MSc) in a discipline relevant to the PhD project (e.g. animal breeding, agricultural economics, business economics, agricultural science);
• knowledge of quantitative methods (e.g. bioeconomic modelling, stochastic simulation); 
• knowledge of qualitative methods (e.g. structured interviews, focus groups);
• clear scientific ambition in the conduct and publication of research work;
• For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level.
• a social, critical and positive learning attitude towards achieving excellence; A pro-active, independent working style and enthusiasm for multidisciplinary research
• A social team player attitude with strong ability to collaborate with other researchers from different scientific fields and countries, as well as with the industrial partners of the project
• affinity with aquaculture is an advantage.

We offer

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our  Collective Labour Agreement include:

• 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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.443,- per month rising to € 3.122,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. 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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

More information

Do you want more information?
For more information about this function and procedure, please contact John Bastiaansen of the Animal Breeding and Genetics Group via john.bastiaansen@wur.nl or Miranda Meuwissen of the Business Economics group via miranda.meuwissen@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact recruitment.ssg@wur.nl.

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including the 31^st of May, 2022. The first job interviews will take place on the 3^th of June, 2022.

The preferred starting date for this position is the 1^st of September, 2022.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named the best university of the Netherlands by students for the 17^th time in a row.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

Apply now

PhD modelling and control for sustainable dairy farming

 

Are you that enthusiastic researcher that likes to work on modelling and control, and apply it to improve processes in agriculture and food production? Then you might be the PhD-candidate we are looking for!

This PhD is part of the Synergia project. Synergia is a crossover program funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). Synergia contributes to the UN Sustainability Development Goals for the environment (depletion of scarce resources, global warming, acidification, eutrophication, nutrient losses, and biodiversity loss), labour (availability of skilled workers), and society (consumer/societal acceptance of novel technology and production methods). Synergia goes beyond current precision agriculture (PA) and precision livestock farming (PLF) and is developing the new concept of ‘Technology-4-Ecology-based farming’ (T4E) where biological/ecological principles in farming lead the development of new farming systems, and the required technological knowledge, principles and tools. Our multi-disciplinary team with biology, ecology, agronomy, technology and social science backgrounds, will explore how current and future farming technologies can enable and support truly ecology-based farming systems.

The aim of this PhD project is to employ the latest sensing and actuating technology in an optimal way, by designing a model-based strategy to control feed intake of cows. Controlling feed intake on a herd level is too coarse; there is a lot of variation between cow feed intake response. For example, some cows are lactating, and others not. The feed intake should be tailored to serve the needs each cow individually: maintaining a healthy internal energy balance, while minimizing harmful emissions of phosphate, nitrogen, and methane.

The research challenges
The development of a model based controller raises the following scientific challenges, that will form the backbone of your research.

The first challenge is to select a mechanistic energy model, and transform it into an input-state-output form that is suitable for control design. The next challenge is to extend the model  with some chemical/physiological processes that describe excretion of phosphate, nitrogen, and methane. Mechanistic models that describe the internal energy balance of cows have been developed. Such models describe how food of different compositions are processed into energy, and how this energy is allocated to milk production, gestation, body mass, fat storage, and resilience. The selected model can be trained via data sets made available within our consortium.
Thereafter, the model parameters can be tuned to enable controller design for individual cows, for example via a parameter estimation algorithm.
Finally, a controller can be designed that provides reliable and automated advice on feed intake, even under uncertainty in model predictions or circumstances, for example a robust or stochastic controller. This is a basic plan. There is flexibility to develop your own research objectives and methods.

Within our research consortium there are already models, data and knowledge on cow physiology, and feed intake response, which will be expanded throughout the project. Also several companies are involved that represent the state of the art in industry. This PhD project provides a unique opportunity for developing a novel control design that is tailored to the needs of the modern farming industry, and embedded in a solid scientific background.  

We ask

• you are a motivated researcher holding a MSc in the area of systems and control, modelling and optimization, or related field;
• you have a keen interest in optimization and control, with real-world applications;
• you have knowledge of animal physiology, or are willing to obtain this knowledge;
• you enjoy the interaction, communication and collaboration with other researchers in an inter-disciplinary team;
• you are an independent researcher that can take control over his/her project;
• you have good oral and written communication skills;
• we encourage female researchers to apply
• for this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level
• you meet all the entry requirements of the  WUR PhD programme.

We offer

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• 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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. The gross salary for the first year is € 2.443,- per month rising to € 3.122,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 12 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 16th consecutive time.

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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. 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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

More information

Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Assistant professor dr.ir. S (Simon) van Mourik simon.vanmourik@wur.nl

For more information about the procedure, please contact vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 20/05/2022.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

Read the 5 reasons why your future collaegues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

The team: You will be employed at the Farm Technology (FTE) group at Wageningen University and Research. FTE has a long history in developing optimization and control for operational farm management. You will be supervised and guided by an experienced team of researchers in the area of physiological modelling, optimization, and model-based control.

Apply now

Business Developer Wageningen Bioveterinary Research

 

Do you like a challenge and giving advice? Are you motivated by helping more parties around the world benefit from the state-of-the-art facilities at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR), part of Wageningen University & Research? Then we are looking for you!

 

We are looking for a talented Business Developer with a market and customer oriented attitude who has an affinity with applied scientific research. A colleague who wants to use their experience with research projects on infectious diseases, animal health or One Health, to put Wageningen Biovetinary Research on the map, nationally and internationally.

 

What are you going to do?

You will work in a small Business development, Innovation and Strategy (BIS) team, which connects private companies and public organisations with Wageningen Bioveterinary Research. The BIS team is responsible for identifying market developments and opportunities and translating them into value propositions and management information. The BIS team is also responsible for supporting the WBVR departments in their client acquisition activities.

 

The vacancy is for a Business Developer (juniour/mid-level) who will supervise the process from lead to concrete assignments. You will support researchers as an acquisition and contract process coach. You will build a network of stakeholders (clients and other relevant parties) to identify opportunities and create new assignments for WBVR. You will report to the BIS head of department. Your most important tasks will be:

• Establishing internal relationships and effective partnerships with all organisational departments;
• Identifying client requirements and translating them into solutions and tasks;
• Concluding contracts with private clients;
• Maintaining leads and sales lists;
• Proactively searching for and approaching new potential clients and partners;
• Building and maintaining and an effective network of clients/accounts.

We ask

• You have an MSc or a PhD in one of the Life Science domains: experience with acquisition/sales is a plus;
• You have good communications skills: you are able to explain difficult material in clear language;
• You are collaborative: you can work well with highly educated professionals and are open to other insights and perspectives;
• You are a networker; 
• You have an eye for the world around WBVR: you have a proactive, client oriented attitude; 
• You are analytical and flexible, and you are quick on your feet;
• You have an excellent command of the English language, orally and in writing, and preferably of the Dutch language too. 
• You are solution and result oriented.

We offer

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent employment conditions. Some highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours can be discussed, allowing for an optimal work-life balance;
• the possibility of building up extra holiday hours by working up to a maximum of 40 hours per week;
• sabbatical leave, study leave and paid parental leave;
• we focus on vitality, and you can use the on-campus sports facilities at an attractive rate;
• a 4% fixed end-of-year bonus;
• an excellent ABP pension scheme.

In addition to excellent fringe benefits, we also offer a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive minimum salary of €3,391 to a maximum of €5,989 for a full 36-hour work week, in accordance with Wageningen Research CLA (scale 11-12).
The position will start with a temporary employment contract of one year, with the possibility of extension and the prospect of employment.
 
The work location is Houtribweg 39, Lelystad.
 
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal growth and mobility through its internal recruitment policy. Our learning environment and training programmes offer ample opportunities to take personal initiative. We guarantee a versatile job in an international environment with a pleasant working atmosphere. 

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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. 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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

More information

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Astrid de Greeff, head of BIS WBVR, telephone 0320 - 238996 (switches to mobile), email: astrid.degreeff@wur.nl.
 

Information about the appointment can be obtained from: Marion Appeldoorn HR department, WBVR, tel. 0320- 293539 (switches to mobile), email: marion.appeldoorn@wur.nl.
 

Do you want to apply?

You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. 
 

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 24th of  May 2022. 
 

Equal opportunities 

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With its roughly 30 branches, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

Read the 5 reasons why your future collaegues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

Check this video for information about Wageningen Bioveterinary Research.



We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.
 

Apply now

PhD candidate: Economic Modelling of EU agricultural policies

 

Are you concerned about the long-term environmental impact of human activities and agriculture, the trade-offs with food security and the role of EU Green Deal policies? Are you interested in exploring how promising new technologies in agriculture could contribute to more safe and equal world in the future? Are you motivated to work with an established international team of researchers?

Wageningen University and Research is hiring a PhD candidate (4 years, full-time employment) to become part of a large international and multi-disciplinary project funded by the EU that aims to develop new models and tools to assess the future development of the EU agricultural landscape.

The PhD candidate will gain research experience in a variety of economic disciplines, from microeconomics, regulatory economics, to a macro-level (Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modelling). The candidate will contribute to the identification of the promising technologies relevant for Green Deal in agriculture, for instance Gene technologies and organic farming. Upon the collection of field-level data, the candidate will analyse the economics of the different production technologies in agriculture such that they can be implemented in the internationally established global CGE model MAGNET for long-term projections and scenario analysis (magnet-model.netlify.app). The MAGNET model is used for policy analyses and advice by the European Commission, FAO and OECD.
In the course of the elaboration of the thesis the candidate will gain experience by interacting with leading researchers in agricultural economics, stakeholders groups, international research teams and policy makers.

The research is embedded within the chair Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy at Wageningen University and within Wageningen Economic Research institute. The PhD project is part of the Horizon Europe BrightSpace project, in which 14 leading European research institutes are developing and applying models to analyse the synergies and trade-offs between socio-economic and environmental development of the EU agricultural sector in the coming decades.

The overall objective of the BrightSpace project is to design effective and sustainable strategies for assessing and addressing the challenges of EU agriculture to navigate within a safe and just operating space, including planetary boundaries as required by the European Green Deal. BrightSpace provides a set of analytical instruments to experiment, analyse, and coordinate the effects of innovative governance structures and policies related to agriculture to navigate within a safe and just operating space.

The candidate will be co-supervised by Prof. Hans van Meijl, Prof, Justus Wesseler and Dr. Zuzana Smeets Kristkova.

We ask

• a successfully completed MSc degree in agricultural, environmental or applied economics;
• strong quantitative background: knowledge of econometric methods and economic modelling, previous knowledge of CGE modelling is an advantage;
• for this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level;
• the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team;
• the ability to think critically and the ambition to publish the results of your work in top economics and interdisciplinary journals.

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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.434,- per month rising to € 3.111,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.
There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. 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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

More information

Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Zuzana Smeets Kristkova by e-mail zuzana.kristkova@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact: Jeanine van ‘t Veer, Corporate Recruiter, recruitment.ssg@wur.nl

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 1 June 2022. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on 13 June 2022. The preferred starting date for this position is 1 November 2022.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

Apply now

PhD candidate: Applied Microeconomics

 

Do you want to contribute to EU Green Deal policies that result in a more equitable and sustainable farming systems in Europe? Are you interested in applying micro-econometrics and micro-simulation techniques, and working with large household surveys and demographic projections? Are you motivated to work with an established international team of researchers?

Wageningen University and Research is hiring a PhD candidate (4 years, full-time employment) to become part of a large international and multi-disciplinary project funded by the EU that aims to develop new models and tools to assess the future development of the EU agricultural landscape.

The selected candidate will analyse large representative EU budget, income and labour force surveys and contribute to the creation of an EU NUTS2 level database that combines demographic, labour and population projections with detailed information about economic sectors, income structure, and consumption patterns.
The candidate will also develop and apply spatial micro-simulation methods to assess the impact of EU agricultural policies on household incomes and food consumption at the small area level, and conduct econometric analyses that provide deeper insights into European regional structural change.

The research is embedded within the chair Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy at Wageningen University and within Wageningen Economic Research. The PhD project is part of the Horizon Europe BrightSpace project, in which 14 leading European research institutes are developing and applying models to analyse the synergies and trade-offs between socio-economic and environmental development of the EU agricultural sector in the coming decades. The final aim of Brightspace is to design a roadmap for effective and sustainable strategies for assessing and addressing the challenges of EU agriculture to navigate within a safe and just operating space. This PhD position contributes especially to assess and address the just dimension by uncoverring distributional issues.

The candidate will be co-supervised by Prof. Hans van Meijl, Dr. Michiel van Dijk and Dr. Esther Gehrke.

We ask

You have:

• a successfully completed MSc degree in Economics (or close to completion); with specialization in applied microeconomics, micro/macro-simulation, regional economics or labour economics;
• for this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level;
• strong quantitative and programming skills and experience with statistical software (preferably R);
• the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team;
• the ability to think critically and the ambition to publish the results of your work in top economics and interdisciplinary journals.

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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.434,- per month rising to € 3.111,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.
There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. 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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

More information

Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Michiel van Dijk, e-mail Michiel.vandijk@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact: Jeanine van ‘t Veer, Corporate Recruiter, recruitment.ssg@wur.nl

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 1 June 2022. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on 13 June 2022. The preferred starting date for this position is 1 November 2022.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

Apply now