Wageningen University & Research
Just Landed
Posted Yesterday
PhD in Assessing Social Sustainability in Short Food Supply Chains Wageningen University & Research in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Sociology
Funding
Fully funded PhD position with a tailored course programme. Gross salary starts at €3,204 per month in year 1 and rises to €4,051 per month in year 4, based on a 38-hour full-time week and Dutch university CAO-NU scale P. Temporary contract for 18 months, extendable for the project duration if performance is good.
Deadline
Nov 17, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Wageningen University & Research
Apply for this position
You'll sign in first, then continue in your ApplyKite dashboard.
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
PhD opportunity at Wageningen University & Research in the Law Group on assessing social sustainability in short food supply chains. This PhD is part of the Horizon Europe project SOCIAL AGRI, which studies how law and policy can make agri-food systems fairer and more socially sustainable.
The project focuses on social issues that are often under-captured in agricultural data and policy, including working conditions, farmer wellbeing, migrant worker integration, gender equality, inclusion, community relationships, and value distribution. The selected PhD candidate will conduct an in-depth socio-legal study of short food supply chains in the Netherlands, combining legal analysis with empirical research.
Research tasks include analysing EU and Dutch legal and policy frameworks, collecting and interpreting qualitative data through interviews and stakeholder engagement, identifying legal and regulatory barriers, and helping develop actionable policy recommendations, model regulatory or contractual provisions, and social-sustainability indicators. The role also includes contributing to comparative research, dissemination, project meetings, workshops, and academic publications within an interdisciplinary consortium.
Eligibility highlights: a completed Master’s degree in law, agricultural economics, food studies, rural sociology, social sciences, or a closely related field; strong affinity with legal and policy dimensions of agri-food systems; good understanding of the EU legal and policy context; experience with qualitative research methods; strong analytical and academic writing skills; fluency in Dutch and English at C1 level. The post is especially suited to candidates interested in law, agriculture, economics, sociology, policy analysis, and food-system sustainability.
Funding: fully funded PhD position with a tailored course programme. Salary starts at €3,204 per month in year one and increases to €4,051 per month in year four, with a temporary 18-month contract extendable if performance is good.
Supervision: Dr Mirta Alessandrini (responsible for the Dutch case study), Dr Edwin Albals, and Dr Inga Winkler. The work is embedded in the Law Group at Wageningen University & Research, located in Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Application: apply via the WUR vacancy page and submit a CV, motivation letter, and writing sample. A mandatory online form must also be completed. Deadline: 17 November 2026.
Funding details
Fully funded PhD position with a tailored course programme. Gross salary starts at €3,204 per month in year 1 and rises to €4,051 per month in year 4, based on a 38-hour full-time week and Dutch university CAO-NU scale P. Temporary contract for 18 months, extendable for the project duration if performance is good.
What's required
Completed Master level degree in law, agricultural economics, food studies, rural sociology, social sciences or a closely related discipline; candidates from other backgrounds may apply if they demonstrate affinity with legal and policy dimensions of agri-food systems. Good understanding of the EU legal and policy context. Experience with qualitative research methods such as semi-structured interviews or focus groups and with multi-stakeholder processes, or clear evidence of ability to develop these skills. Strong analytical, academic writing and communication skills. Fluency in both Dutch and English, with command of both languages expected at C1 level; an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in English may sometimes be required. Ability to work independently and collaborate in an interdisciplinary, international research environment.
How to apply
Apply via the apply button on the vacancy page on the WUR website; only applications submitted through the website will be considered. Submit a CV (max 2 pages), motivation letter (max 1 page), and a writing sample (max 3 pages), keeping the total under 6 pages. Also complete the mandatory online form linked in the vacancy.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.