Are you concerned about the long-term environmental impact of human activities and agriculture, the trade-offs with food security and the role of EU Green Deal policies? Are you interested in exploring how promising new technologies in agriculture could contribute to more safe and equal world in the future? Are you motivated to work with an established international team of researchers? Then we may be looking for you!

The Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group at Wageningen University and Research is hiring a PhD candidate (4 years, full-time) to become a part of a large international and multi-disciplinary project that aims to develop new models and tools to assess the future development of the EU agricultural landscape.

We are looking for a motivated candidate with a strong background in agricultural economics and a keen interest in the transformative potential of technological change from a theoretical and empirical point of view. As a part of the PhD research, the candidate will conduct research with respect to the impacts of EU policies on sustainable development. An interest in the application of real option theory in combination with law and economics and/or game theory will be an advantage.

This position offers a unique chance to contribute to the discussions surrounding the future of agriculture and the bioeconomy in the EU and beyond.

In the course of the elaboration of the thesis the candidate will gain experience by interacting with leading international researchers in agricultural economics and related fields. Moreover, the PhD candidate will have the chance to deepen her/his knowledge.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair group Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy (AEP) at Wageningen University. AEP carries out research focusing on economic and institutional issues within the bio-economy, and teach across a wide range of aspects related to the contribution of the bio-economy and the agricultural sector in particular to sustainable development.

You have:

• a successfully completed MSc degree in agricultural, environmental or applied economics;
• strong theoretical and quantitative background: knowledge of econometric methods and economic modelling, previous knowledge of survey analysis is an advantage;
• excellent English language proficiency (a minimum of CEFR C2 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our dedicated language page;
• the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team;
• the ability to think critically and the ambition to publish the results of your work in top economics and interdisciplinary journals.

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

• partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more;
• 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 December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.770,- per month rising to € 3.539,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 18th consecutive time.

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.
Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling. For instance under the "30% rule", certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR

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