Are you an enthusiastic and analytical researcher with interest in quantification and mitigation of emission of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide from agricultural soils and their controlling factors? Do you possess a MSc degree in soil sciences, agronomy, environmental science, climate studies or related field? Then we have an exciting opportunity for you!

The Sustainable Soil Management Team of Wageningen Environmental Research and the Soil Biology Group of Wageningen University are looking for a PhD candidate in nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils, with a focus on unravelling the soil processes controlling mitigation strategies.

Agricultural soils are the major source of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). There is clear potential to reduce N2O emissions by adapting nitrogen inputs and soil management. More insight is needed in the interplay of environmental, soil biological, and management factors that drive N2O emissions. You will assess mitigation strategies in field and lab experiments, including practices related to nitrogen management across various agricultural systems and soil types. You will have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment and methodologies (such as isotopic labelling techniques, field gas analysers) to quantify N2O and related soil chemical and biological parameters. The results that you produce in this project will aid to a better scientific underpinning of national emission calculations and to the development of strategies to mitigate N2O emissions.

• You have a MSc degree in soil sciences, agronomy, climate studies, environmental science, or a related field.
• You have an interest in agriculture, nitrogen cycling, soil biological processes, and greenhouse gas emissions.
• You have affinity with setting up and executing experimental work in field and lab.
• You effectively communicate and discuss research results different formats and settings, e.g. in scientific journal papers or on meetings and conferences with a range of audiences.
• You have good writing skills and proficiency of the English language.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

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 compensation hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• study leave, and partially 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 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 € 2.511 rising to € 3.209 in the last year according to a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the Cla Wageningen Research Foundation agreement 1 April 2022 to till 31 March 2023. 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 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.
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. For instance under the "30% rule", certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & 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, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR's Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

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.