Are you an experienced economic CGE modeller and interested in both code writing for improving an in-house simulation model (MAGNET) and using the model in cross-cutting trade applications? Do you have extensive experience in applied quantitative economic analysis and have you worked on global and country-level analyses of agri-food trade?

We are looking for a talented colleague with a customer- and market-oriented attitude and strong affinity with applied scientific research. Proven experience in the development and application of CGE models, interest in agri-food trade and ambition to further develop and use our global economic CGE model MAGNET is a must. You should have the capability to execute outstanding independent research projects as result-oriented team player. Your most important activities in doing so will be:

• contributing to further development and maintenance of the global CGE model MAGNET, as a tool for scenario analyses assessing implications of new policies and other changes in the economic and natural environment;
• conducting research activities on simulating and assessing cross-cutting impacts of agricultural, trade, climate change and bioenergy policies on the global economy, with a particular focus on the impact of trade policies (including possibly virtual trade and global value chains);
• within your projects, establishing and maintaining national- and international-level contacts with research institutes, and public and private sector organisations such as the Dutch Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs, EC Horizon Europe, EC JRC, EC Directorates-General, CGIAR, OECD and UN organizations;
• alongside your research, further expand your network in both the public and private sectors to generate new opportunities for continuation of research in your area.

You will be working in the expertise group International Policy, one of seven expertise groups at Wageningen Economic Research. The International Policy group is committed to contributing to a more sustainable world by doing applied socio-economic research for food business, governments and NGOs. The group comprises a multidisciplinary and multinational team of micro and macro modelling experts and researchers in policy and impact analysis, and maintains a GEMPACK-based economy-wide model for applied global analysis (MAGNET).

To strengthen our team, we ask you to have:

• an MSc degree in economics, with a PhD and experience or affinity with food trade being an advantage;
• an advanced know-how, i.e. mastering either GAMS or GEMPACK programming, and proven experience in development and application of CGE modelling tools, demonstrated in applied research project outcomes;
• 3-10 years relevant work experience in fields related to the applied research of agri-food system dynamics demonstrated by publications in scientific journals and other media;
• a keen interest in applying socio-economic research in public and private sector domains and the ability to work in international, multidisciplinary teams;
• customer-orientation with good communication skills, and having a broad network within research and among potential customers;
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Dutch, with an additional language being an advantage.

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

• 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;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and paid parental leave;
• 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 4%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between €3.989,-and €5.988,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11-12). Additionally, a contract for 0.8 FTE can be discussed.

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 multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open 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.

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, 6.800 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!

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