One amazing person to fill an exciting PhD-position to add to our multidisciplinary team. We believe technology can allow us to improve nutrition research. Are you interested in a PhD on technology in Nutrition within a fun team?

We are looking for someone with a nutrition background, who in their spare time has tinkered with programming or machine learning. Alternatively, we are looking for someone with a hardware or software background, who would be interested to apply this to the domain of nutrition. Or someone who has the enthusiasm to develop these skills. This PhD project focuses on further developing the algorithms in our Smart tray allowing food recognition and recognizing eating behavior. The position allows you to follow your own ideas and develop prototypes with support of a team of engineers and other capable PhD students.

This is a position for someone who is not afraid to try, try and try again and feels the process of prototyping with many "I don't understand, it's not working…it was working yesterday"-moments is a fun challenge.

This PhD position is fully funded through the AI for sustainable food systems (AI4SFS) laboratory, an interdisciplinary research project funded by the Dutch Research Council NWO that will start June, 1 2022. The AI4SFS project develops responsible and trustworthy AI in sustainable food systems through the development of an Ethical, Legal, Social Aspects (ELSA) lab. We will (a) develop insights into the ELSA challenges and opportunities related to AI applications for sustainable food systems, (b) design an ELSA lab methodology (including tools, (ethical and legal) guidelines and engagement strategies) for responsible AI for the agri-food sector, and (c) conduct multiple case studies where we will integrate ELSA aspects in AI (re)design. After the project, we will develop the ELSA lab into an independent hub for responsible AI for sustainable food systems.

The research is embedded within the chair Global Nutrition and Health led by Prof. Edith Feskens (https://www.wur.nl/en/Persons/Edith-prof.dr.ir.-EJM-Edith-Feskens.htm ), working in the Hungry Robot Lab https://www.wur.nl/nl/project/Hungry-Robots-Lab.htm.

You will be co-supervised by Guido Camps (https://www.wur.nl/nl/personen/guido-g-guido-camps-phd.htm).

You have:

• have completed a master's degree in a relevant field, this could be AI, software engineering, nutrition, but also biomedical technology, product design or engineering: please convince us you have the relevant background;
• be willing to learn and think across disciplines and professions, this position is bringing together many aspects it will require learning new skills regardless of your background;
• be able to communicate with fellow researchers, be willing to tinker and try out new technologies;
• be collaborative and a real team player: be excited about become a Hungry Robot http://hungryrobot.tech;
• be willing to run small pilot studies with participants to do validation and testing;
• excellent English language proficiency (a minimum of CEFR C2 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.

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.

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 the best university of the Netherlands by students for the 17th 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!