PhD Regenerative competences for future-proof farming

Your job

Do you want to play a key role in shaping the future of agriculture? Are you passionate about developing the skills and knowledge needed for a successful transition to regenerative farming? Do you have an interest in exploring how educational initiatives can equip the agricultural sector for the challenges ahead? Then this PhD position may be of interest to you.

In October 2024 a new, large-scale project focused on regenerative agriculture in the Netherlands will commence. Together with regenerative Dutch farmers, ReGeNL is developing a future-proof agricultural sector in which agriculture goes hand in hand with soil improvement and restoration of biodiversity, 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 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 contribute to regenerative outcomes at 8 different types of regenerative agriculture systems. The project aims to be an accelerator for the transition to a regenerative, remunerative and socially supported agricultural sector. 

Regenerative agriculture is knowledge intensive and requires new knowledge, skills and motivation among farmers, rural workers, employees and managers in the value chain. Besides general competences (e.g. cooperation, entrepreneurship, problem-solving), specific cross-sectoral competences (e.g. systems thinking, boundary crossing, anticipatory thinking, changing perspectives) will be necessary as well.

In this research these cross-sectoral competences will be identified, specified and mapped. In addition, the question of how these competences can be developed and supported will be addressed as well.  What kind of knowledge, both old and new, and practices within food production and the value chain, can support the development of these ‘regenerative competences? Worldwide, there are many new educational initiatives in regenerative agriculture, both by formal green education as by informal farmer organizations and NGOs. Are these diverse learning arrangements meeting the profession's needs and contributing to regenerative outcomes? Furthermore, what institutional changes are necessary to ensure that formal and informal educational bodies (re)generate learning environments and competences necessary for future-proof farming.    

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair of Education & Learning Sciences of WUR, more specifically, within the section focusing on education, learning and capacity building for sustainability. which is led by personal chair prof. Arjen Wals. You will be co-supervised by dr. Margriet Goris of the Rural Sociology Group of WUR.

Your qualities

You have/ You are

• developed some expertise in the education and learning sciences and, ideally some experience with education and learning in the context of sustainable development;
• affinity with societal challenges in the domains of agriculture and food systems;
• motivated to work in a transdisciplinary project with many project partners, including those from the (vocational) green education sector;
• a team player.

You also possess:

• a successfully completed MSc degree in: education and learning sciences, sociology, anthropology, cultural geography, political science or an adjacent field;
• knowledge of and experience with quantitative and/or qualitative methods;
• excellent writing and presentation skills.

For this position your command of the English and Dutch language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognized 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 € 2.872 - per month rising to € 3.670,-  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 the Netherlands , and at a university that has been chosen by students  as the “Best University” in the country 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 Arjen Wals, by email:  arjen.wals@wur.nl
For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas, corporate recruiter, by email: recruitment.ssg@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 30th September, 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on 16th October, 2024.

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.