Do you have extensive research experience using applied quantitative economic analysis? Are you an experienced Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modeller and interested in improving the conceptual underpinning and the empirical justification of an in-house simulation model (MAGNET) used for cross-cutting analyses? Have you worked on global and country-level analyses of food, water and climate issues, like new bio-based sectors or the impact of water availability on SDGs? Do you thrive working as a team player in a complex project environment, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals?

Wageningen Economic Research has an extensive international network and a proven ability to lead research consortia in the area of international and national studies on sustainable food systems and food and nutrition security. The International Policy division comprises a multidisciplinary, multinational team of micro and macro modelling experts and researchers in policy and impact analysis, and maintains an economy-wide model for applied global analysis (MAGNET). We perform contract research in cooperation with public and private actors in various disciplines, and collaborate intensively with other divisions and institutes within Wageningen University & Research and beyond.

We are seeking an quantitative economist with a proven experience in the development and application of CGE models who can support the food security and climate and food nexus modelling team at the international policy division of Wageningen Economic Research. In this position you will acquire and lead in multiple research projects at our institute funded by international clients such as the JRC, EU (Horizon 2020), CGIAR, OECD. You will also collaborate with other research teams within the Wageningen University in the area of circular economy and climate&water&food Nexus. For your successful performance in this role, we expect that you are also a result-driven, independently working researcher and project manager, yet a very strong team player.

The successful candidate will further develop our economic modelling tools on the interlinkages between food, water and energy and their relationship with climate change using the MAGNET simulation model. More specifically the candidate is expected to contribute to the improvement of the underpinning of the behaviour of food production and food demand systems in cross-cutting analyses linking for example climate change and water availability with equity issues or various mitigation options in bio-economy within the CGE framework.

The position entails the following responsibilities:

• You acquire and lead socio-economic research projects focused on global and national food system scenarios. This applied research provides private and public players in industry and government with high quality data and analysis to support the formulation of business strategies and government policies.
• You contribute to the maintenance and further development of the global MAGNET model, specifically as a research tool for analysing food systems and policies.
• As a project leader, you lead multidisciplinary teams through the entire research process from acquisition to delivering results.
• Within nationally and internationally funded projects, you have contacts with research institutes, umbrella organisations and public and private sector organisations. In your role as project leader, you communicate regularly with clients in order to respond proactively and adequately to their wishes and needs.
• Alongside your research, you expand your network further in both the public and private sectors to generate new opportunities in your area of research.

• An advanced degree in economics, a PhD, in a relevant discipline would be an advantage.
• An advanced know-how (mastering either GAMS or Gempack programming) and proven experience in development and application of CGE modelling tools, demonstrated in applied research project outcomes.
• About 5-10 years relevant work experience in fields related to the applied research of agri-food systems dynamics demonstrated by publication in scientific journals and other media.
• A keen interest in applying socio-economic research in public and private sector domains. The ability to work in international, multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in project management, a strong network and experience with fund-raising is considered a strong advantage.
• Client-oriented with good communication and acquisition skills plus a broad network within research and potential clients.
• Outstanding proficiency in spoken and written English and proficiency in or willingness to learn Dutch is required for this position. An additional language is considered an advantage

• A challenging job in an international environment. Your work activities are extremely diverse. You will receive plenty of room for personal development and work in an enjoyable and open professional atmosphere. We fully support our employees in training and degree programmes.
• Wageningen Economic Research offers a customisable compensation package and flexible work schedules can be arranged. We offer a combination of a good basic salary with excellent secondary labour conditions:
• Gross salary of € 3.176 to € 4.934 per month based on experience for a 36 hour working week (scale 11 Wageningen Research Foundation). We offer 23 days holiday per year with an optional extra 25 more compensation days in a 40-hour working week.
• In addition to an 8% holiday allowance, we also offer a fixed December bonus of 3%. Our schemes for special leave and parental leave are well above average. For example, you get paid 62.5% for parental leave. The employer contribution to the pension is above average as well.
• A position for 28 to 36 hours per week. It is a permanent position, initially on a one-year contract. Extension of the contract is contingent upon whether you show yourself to be the right fit for the position and if there is a full order portfolio.
• The Hague offers a large range of international schools and child care centres.

Wageningen University & Research

an independent and internationally leading socio-economic research institute. Wageningen Economic Research offers governments and companies (socio-)economic insights and integral advice for sound policies and better decision-making in an innovative way. We have been an expert in the field of sustainable agriculture & food, healthy nutrition, lifestyle and the living environment for over 75 years, and are known as a knowledge institute that provides insight into the capacity of our planet on the one hand, and human actions on the other. For this we make use of and develop, among others, policy analysis, future studies, chain and consumer research, evaluations and monitoring systems, based upon our data, models and knowledge.
Within Wageningen UR and together with the Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WCDI) and the university's Department of Social Sciences (DMW), Wageningen Economic Research is part of the Social Sciences Group. DMW, Wageningen Economic Research and WCDI comprise the entire knowledge chain of fundamental scientific research (DMW), applied research (Wageningen Economic Research) and consultancy and capacity building (WCDI). As a result, Wageningen Economic Research provides access to a comprehensive range of expertise.
www.wur.nl/en/Expertise-Services/Research-Institutes/Economic-Research.htm