PhD position: Carbon and nitrogen cycling for regenerative farming in the Netherlands

Do you have a background in agronomy, soil science or environmental science and would you like to contribute to more sustainable agricultural systems? Do you enjoy the puzzle of data analysis with societal relevance? You might be the ideal PhD candidate to join our team!

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to assess how regenerative practices influence carbon and nitrogen cycling in farmers’ fields. This PhD position will explore how and under which biophysical and socioeconomic conditions farmers benefit from regenerative practices (by improved soil fertility, yields and/or income) and related environmental impacts (for example changes in soil carbon and/or reduced nitrogen losses). Research methods will include statistical analyses, modelling and potentially farm interviews.

Your team
Together with pioneering Dutch farmers, the ReGeNL project is working to build an agricultural sector in which food production goes hand in hand with soil health, nature restoration, and a viable business model for farmers. By 2030, the project will draw on the experiences of 100 pioneering farmers to support around 1,000 farmers in the Netherlands in transitioning to regenerative practices, with the ambition of making regenerative agriculture the new norm by 2040.

Within ReGeNL, you will join work package 3B which develops predictive models at various scales. In 3B, a wide range of topics will be modelled to identify which combinations of practices deliver positive agricultural, socio-economic, and environmental outcomes. As such, you will become part of a cohort of PhD candidates working on related topics, giving ample opportunities for shared learning activities.

You will work here
This research is embedded within two research groups: the Plant Production Systems group and the Earth Systems and Global Change group, with supervision by dr. Renske Hijbeek and prof. dr. Hananh van Zanten.

The Plant Production Systems group combines production ecological theory with empirical knowledge to provide a better understanding of sustainability of farming systems around the world.
The Earth Systems and Global Change Group is a solution-oriented multidisciplinary research group focusing on sustainability and global change.

You have background knowledge on soil fertility, especially related to carbon and nitrogen dynamics and management. You enjoy with working on interdisciplinary themes, integrating methods and tools form both biophysical and socio-economic domains. You can work independently and like to explore new research methods and models.

You also possess:

• An MSc in the area of agronomy, soil science or environmental science
• Experience and skills in modelling and/or statistical analyses
• Interest in farming systems analysis
• Excellent oral and written communication in English, and good communication skills
• Proficiency in Dutch can be an advantage

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• 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 year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between €3.059,- and €3.881,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). Additionally, a contract for 0.8 FTE can be discussed. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended on good performance. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

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.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

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 coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.