Precision agriculture is seen as an important vehicle to increase the profitability of farming, increase food security, and reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment. New knowledge is required to understand and respond to temporal and/or spatial variability in soils and crops. To derive practical benefits this knowledge needs to be operationalised, thus we work closely with farmers to develop practical systems for making and implementing decisions for increased profitability and reduced environmental impact. These systems necessarily consist of knowledge encoded as decision rules; an ICT infrastructure to collect, manage, and process data; and equipment capable of precise application of inputs (this includes automated machines and robotics). The candidate will work in this field within a multidisciplinary team of scientists, in strong interactions with stakeholders. Potato will be a focus crop.

For this vacancy we look for a scientist with an appropriate MSc or PhD in plant science or a related field. Suitable candidates portray good knowledge of agronomy, production systems, and precision farming, and are flexible in acquiring more knowledge on Dutch agriculture and production systems. You have proven skills or an interest to publish in international peer-reviewed journals.

You have skills in crop growth modelling, databases and GIS and also experience in computer programming. We expect you to contribute to new developments, e.g. in Apps development, big data analytics and semantic technologies. Concretely, we expect candidates to be motivated by the opportunity to increase the efficiency with which resources such as energy, nutrients, water, land and labour are used, and to translate these opportunities into decision rules and other practical farming management tools which will be of direct value to stakeholders. Good communication and writing skils are important.

Are you able to formulate and acquire research projects and operate as project leader/researcher? Please apply!

Core competences are:

• quantitive and analytical capacities;
• the ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams;
• projectmanagement competences;
• result orientation.

We offer a position for 36 hours a week. One year contract with prospect of extension to a permanent contract depending on the performance of the candidate. The salary will be € 4253 gross per month maximum (MSc, full-time basis, scale 10), or €4847 gross per month maximum (PhD, full-time basis, scale 11), depending on education and experience. Besides a market-based salary we offer you training programmes, flexible leave conditions and a pension scheme administered by ABP pension fund.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at thespecial career site.

Business Unit Agrosystems Research
We design and test sustainable agricultural systems or parts thereof which are good for people, the environment and nature. In doing so, we contribute to increasing food security and resource use efficiency. We approach the themes environment, agricultural production and rural area in coherence as an integrated approach. The department's core disciplines are agronomy, ecology, and systems analysis. Our research is based on market demand and is of high scientific quality. The joint motive of our researchers is: to contribute to a better world.