• Study the practice of applying organic waste as a soil-quality improving technique by farmers and the extent to which it improves the water holding capacity of the soil,  contributes to a closure of nutrient cycles and reduces greenhouse gas emissions;
• Unravel organic waste decay and its impacts on soil organic matter evolution, associated water retention and nutrient cycling;
• Closely collaborate with another PhD candidate who unravels the socio-physiological, economic and legislation-related factors that prevent farmers from a wide-scale adoption of the practice;
• Together with a post-doc, create an integrated model, in which the interactions between the soil system and the social system are captured;
• Collaborate with societal stakeholders, e.g. province, nature management organisations, processors of organic wastes and farmers collectives.

• MSc degree in soil science, environmental science or agronomy, having a quantitative and integral view on soil systems;
• Affinity with and experience in both lab and field related research as well as with process-based modelling of soil-related processes;
• Affinity with working in an interdisciplinary team and with stakeholders;
• Proficient English and Dutch writing and communication skills;
• A strong interest in a scientific career. 

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

We offer a one year term position. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the performance, personal capabilities and compatibility, the appointment will be extended by a further three years. Salary range from €2,222 to €2,840 gross per month (pay scale P, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see  workingat.leiden.edu/.

All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science www.graduateschools.leidenuniv.nl. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by the research school.

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Universiteit Leiden

Leiden is a typical university city, hosting the oldest university in the Netherlands (1575). The University permeates the local surroundings; University premises are scattered throughout the city, and the students who live and study in Leiden give the city its relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.

Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts and for functions outside academia.

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 1,300 staff and almost 4,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. Additional information on research and education in the CML-CB department can be found at CML's website: cml.leiden.edu/.

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science