We invite applications for a PhD position within a project on ownership structure, supplier relations and sustainability in food chains. The PhD project will combine business economics and organisation theory in exploring how business characteristics and strategies may affect the choice for and performance on diverse sustainability outcomes. The PhD project will critically asses current ownership structures and current supplier-buyer relationships in their ability to support the transition towards sustainable food systems in Northwest Europe. The research will explore and analyze how different ownership structures, coordination mechanisms, contracting arrangements and financial mechanisms affect the ambition and capacity to contribute towards a more sustainable society.

This PhD project will be carried out within a larger programme on 'Business Science for Sustainability', which is a joint programme of the Section Business Science of the Social Sciences Group (SSG) of Wageningen UR. This PhD project will be based in the Business Economics (BEC) and the Business Management & Organisation (BMO) groups.

General requirements:

• a university degree (MSc or MA) in a discipline relevant to the PhD project (e.g. agricultural economics, industrial engineering, operations research, econometrics, supply chain management, sustainability studies, business administration);
• experience in the application of quantitative methods
• knowledge of the (agricultural) economic system in Northwest Europe
• openness and willingness to collaborate with people from other scientific disciplines;
• clear scientific ambition in the conduct and publication of research work;
• good control of English (both verbally and written);
• a social, critical and positive learning attitude towards achieving excellence;
• meet all the entry requirements of the WUR PhD programme;
• available at short term notice.

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

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and 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 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 the needs of the project.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.395,- per month rising to € 3.061,- 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.

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.

Wageningen University & Research

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, 6.500 employees and 12.500 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.

These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR