Vacancy
PhD position - Optimizing nutrient budgets for zero water pollution in Europe
Your job
Are you passionate about nutrient pollution issues in Europe? Do you want to pursue an interdisciplinary PhD research project in which you will optimize nutrient budgets for zero water pollution? Do you like modeling and scenarios? If so, an exciting job opportunity is waiting for you!
The Earth Systems and Global Change Group has recently been awarded the HORIZON project GREENHOOD which aims at Nutrient balance and Resource Optimization in Regional Ecosystems through holistic, sustainable, and zero-pollution solutions. Within this project, a PhD position will be offered at Wageningen University in the Earth Systems and Global Change group.
The PhD candidate will focus on modeling and scenarios to optimize nutrient budgets at the regional (Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt) and EU levels. The starting point will be the MARINA-Nutrients model which will be further developed for nutrient budget optimization and potential benefits for other pollutants. Scenarios will be developed by including bio-based fertilizers and nature-based solutions. A strong focus will be collaboration with other groups in the GREENHOOD project working on local and regional nutrient budgets and their benefits for other agrochemicals.
The following aspects will be covered in a PhD research (but not limited to):
- nutrient budgets and their sources at the regional level (e.g., Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt);
- effects of bio-based fertilizers and nature-based solutions on nutrients and other related pollutants at the regional level (e.g., Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt);
- upscaling nutrient budgets and related pollutants to the EU level;
- scenarios for zero water pollution at the EU level under global change.
Your duties and responsibilities include:
- conducting research and analysis within the framework of the project;
- contributing to the development of new modeling tools and scenarios;
- contribute to the integration of knowledge and data for the optimization of nutrient budgets and other related pollutants;
- publishing research results in peer-reviewed journals;
- write a doctoral thesis based on the research findings.
You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair Earth Systems and Global Change Group, which is led by Prof. dr. Arthur Mol and dr. Nynke Hofstra. You will be supervised by dr. Maryna Strokal and dr Mengru Wang who will provide guidance and support throughout the project. Prof Dr. Erik Meers from Gent University will contribute expertise considerably to this PhD project.
Your qualities
You are/ You have:
- experience in quantitative modeling and programming (e.g., R, python);
- knowledge of nutrient and/or agrochemical cycles in the food system;
- knowledge of hydrological cycles;
- excellent scientific writing skills in English;
- experience with publishing peer-reviewed academic journals is appreciated;
- good organizational and intercultural communication skills;
- willingness to travel across Europe.
- a successfully completed MSc degree in environmental sciences, agricultural studies, or similar with a strong quantitative background;
- enthusiasm for collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of researchers with diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
- the entry requirements of the WUR PhD programme;
- enthusiasm to do a PhD project at Wageningen University for four years.
We offer you
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, up to 40 hours per week;
- 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.
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 19th 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.
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.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, 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.
Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Maryna Strokal, by email: maryna.strokal@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas, corporate recruiter, by email: noorien.abbas@wur.nl .
Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. To apply, please send the following:
- a complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages);
- a motivation letter (max. 1 page).
Additional information form
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:
https://forms.office.com/e/dtJ6crLMZ4
Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.
Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.
We are
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, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 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.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.