PhD on Nutrient Dynamics from Field to Landscape in Regenerative Agriculture

Your job

Are you interested in a PhD focusing on the nutrient dynamics from field to landscape in Regenerative Agriculture? Working with pioneer regenerative farmers across the Netherlands, this PhD will analyse the nutrient (N, P and K) and carbon flows across a range of pioneer regenerative farm systems in the Netherlands. These farm systems will include dairy, horticulture and arable farming systems with for example agroforestry or cut and carry fertilisers, but also regional cooperation between farm systems or cooperation of farms with nature conservation organisations. The research will focus on: What are the nutrient and carbon flows on these different farming systems and where are leaks in the system? What are options to optimise these nutrient and carbon flows and balances on farm, landscape and regional level? And assess the nutrient performance, soil and animal health, and different costs and benefits (including ecosystem services) of these systems?

There is steadily growing pressure on agriculture and the entire food system to increase global production while promoting sustainability in terms of farmers' incomes, soil health, input use, and environmental and climate impact. Regenerative agriculture is a promising avenue to support a healthy, multi-functional and future-proof soil and farming system. Together with regenerative Dutch farmers, ReGeNL is developing a future-proof agricultural sector in which agriculture goes hand in hand with soil health and nature restoration, and a good revenue model for farmers. Between now and 2030, ReGeNL will start the transition to regenerative agriculture with 1000 farmers. The aim is to make regenerative agriculture the new normal by 2040.

This PhD will be one of 19 PhDs being recruited over the next 4 years, to support the monitoring, modelling and valuing of regenerative farms in the Netherlands. This large-scale transdisciplinary project (ReGeNL) will assess which combinations of practices are adopted/recommended for 8 different types of regenerative agriculture systems. The project aims to be an accelerator for the transition to a regenerative, profitable and socially supported agricultural sector. As part of this project, we will monitor and model a range of different regenerative agricultural systems to understand which combinations of practices work for a range of agricultural, socio-economic and environmental outcomes.  The outcomes assessed include; soil health, water and air quality, biodiversity and socio-economic goals such as farm income, citizen involvement, animal welfare and much more. Moreover, we will study how performance on these outcomes can be valued in food system governance.

You will work here
This PhD will be based within the Farming Systems Group at WUR, the Louis Bolk Institute, and with Van Hall Larenstein. During this project you will be involved in on-farm sampling (soil, crop and products) and data collection. You will investigate the nutrient and carbon flows in a range of pioneer regenerative farms, and study the different measures they take to close and improve nutrient and carbon cycles on farm and regional level, inspired by the framework of ‘nested circularity’. You will assess the effects of these measures on ecosystem services. This PhD will work alongside with other PhDs on soil quality in the project. The outputs from these PhDs will support model developments for further quantification of the role of soil health in regenerative systems. 

Your qualities

As a PhD you will receive support and mentorship in the design and implementation of your PhD project. You will develop a training and supervision plan with your supervisory team and be part of the ReGeNL training programme on Regenerative Agriculture.
You have:

• a completed master’s degree in a field related to the topic of the PhD project (e.g. agricultural sciences (soil, plant or animal science), environmental science, or an adjacent field);
• knowledge or experience in farming systems research, and nutrient and carbon flows;
• excellent writing and presenting skills;
• affinity with societal challenges in the domains of agriculture and food systems;
• motivation to work in a transdisciplinary project with many project partners and farmers;
• experience with or interest in quantitative research methods;
• being a team player;
• dutch proficiency (or willingness to learn).

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

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.

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 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 Rachel Creamer, Professor, rachel.creamer@wur.nl

For more information about the procedure you can contact Recruitment Support via recruitment.support@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.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 26 August , 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on by early September, 2024.

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/T2yxa3CyLH

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

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, 7,600 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.