PhD position in regulation for just transitions in agriculture (1.0 FTE)

Are you passionate about understanding the role of regulation in bringing about a transition to sustainable agriculture that is equitable and just? Do you want to be part of an interdisciplinary team of social scientists, plant scientists, and data scientists that investigates how resilient crops can equitably contribute to sustainable agriculture? Then this opportunity at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development is for you.

We are seeking a motivated and talented researcher to join our team in studying regulations for plant genetic resources in an age of digital innovation. International regulations like the Nagoya Protocol seek to ensure that researchers and companies can have access to genetic resources that are crucial for developing climate-resilient crops. Yet these regulations also need to ensure that local communities in the global South, who contributed to developing those genetic resources, receive a fair share of the benefits. In practice, balancing these regulatory aims has proven to be difficult, and these regulations are also challenged by innovations in digitalizing genetic information.

Essential knowledge, skills, and experience:

• You have a (research) Master degree in Science and Technology Studies, Law and Technology, Innovation Sciences, Rural Sociology or a related social science discipline.
• You are interested in the intersection between regulation, sustainable agriculture, innovation, and justice.
• You have a clear understanding of qualitative research methods, demonstrated through grade transcripts and CV.
• You have excellent writing and communication skills, demonstrated through a writing example such as your Master thesis.
• You can work in a self-propelled manner.
• You are able and excited to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• You are willing to acquire new skills as required for the research of the PhD project.

Desirable knowledge, skills, and experience:

• You have experience in topics related to agricultural innovation, international regulation, or just transitions to sustainability.
• You have experience in developing a manuscript for publication of publishing as the lead author, a conference paper or international peer-reviewed journal.

• a temporary position (1.0 FTE), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a full-time gross salary between €2,770 in the first year and €3,539 in the fourth year of employment in scale P of the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (CAO) per month; 
• 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

You can watch the Utrecht University Campus Tour to get an impression of our university.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old centre and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht has been consistently ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the Netherlands.

Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the earth, with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty of Geosciences is a strong and challenging organisation. The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development is part of the Faculty of Geosciences. The institute investigates and develops processes and opportunities for innovative change towards sustainability. The Copernicus Institute has been evaluated in a 2014 international review as the highest ranked research institute in environmental sciences in the Netherlands. Since then, the institute has intensified its efforts in maintaining its leading position.

Other than the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development the position will also be part of the CropXR institute. CropXR was launched in 2023 to help make agricultural production less vulnerable to climate change and less dependent on artificial fertilizers and chemical pesticides. The institute is a joint venture of the universities of Amsterdam, Delft, Wageningen and Utrecht in partnership with Plantum, the Dutch plant breeding sector association. CropXR brings together efforts from different academic disciplines (such as plant sciences, computational and data sciences, and social sciences) and private industry to help bring about sustainable change. It receives support from NWO, the Dutch National Growth Fund, and the Foundation for Food & Agricultural Research. Learn more about CropXR at cropx.org.