PhD position in innovation dynamics of plant breeding for resilient crop (1.0 FTE)

Are you passionate about understanding how artificial intelligence can contribute to sustainable agriculture? Do you want to be part of an interdisciplinary team of social scientists, plant scientists, and data scientists that investigates how resilient crops can 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 the innovation dynamics for a ‘smart breeding’ method that will be developed by the CropXR institute. This revolutionary new method uses artificial intelligence to breed crops that are resilient to climate change. This innovation can only succeed and scale in an enabling system. This is not a given, however, as older plant breeding methods are deeply embedded in actors’ routines and there are several scientific, regulatory, and market uncertainties surrounding novel smart breeding technologies. We will study how smart breeding can contribute to a just transition, also for smallholders in global South. The study will be conducted in collaboration with plant scientists.

In this project, you will investigate factors that enable and constrain the development and adoption of data-driven plant breeding. You will apply frameworks from innovation studies, transition studies, and science and technology studies to identify systemic barriers for issues that are especially salient for smart breeding, such as the global nature of these innovations, the convergence of plant breeding and data sciences, and the importance of new data infrastructures that will enable and constrain innovation pathways in new ways.

The findings of this research will be used to formulate recommendations for accelerating the transition towards sustainable agriculture by breeding extra-resilient crops.

Essential knowledge, skills, and experience:

• You have a (research) Master degree in Innovation Studies, Sustainable Business and Innovation, Science and Technology Studies, Rural Sociology or a related social science discipline.
• You are interested in the intersection between innovation, agriculture, digitalization, and sustainability.
• 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 of natural and social scientists and private and public partners.
• 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, global innovation systems, and transitions to sustainable agriculture.
• 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 gross salary between €2,770 in the first year and €3,539 in the fourth year of employment (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment;
• 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.

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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.