Publisher
source

Wageningen University & Research

PhD in Integrated Water-Energy-Food Nexus Modelling for Circular Controlled Environment Agriculture Wageningen University & Research in Netherlands

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Fully funded PhD position. The post offers a tailored course program and a 4-year project with a temporary 12-month contract extended if performance is satisfactory. Salary starts at €3,204 per month in year 1 and rises to €4,051 per month in year 4 (full-time 38 hours/week), under the Dutch university collective labour agreement.

Deadline

Aug 25, 2026

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Country

Netherlands

University

Wageningen University & Research

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Keywords

Computer Science
Environmental Science
Agriculture
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Biology
Monte Carlo Simulation
Environmental Sustainability
Controlled Environment Agriculture
Statistics

About this position

Wageningen University & Research is advertising a fully funded PhD position in Integrated Water-Energy-Food Nexus Modelling for Circular Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). The project sits in the Agricultural Biosystems Engineering (ABE) group and focuses on developing next-generation modelling tools for sustainable food production.

The PhD researcher will build an integrated modelling framework to study the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus in circular CEA systems, including greenhouse and vertical farming systems. The work examines how greenhouse production, renewable energy, livestock production, and wastewater treatment can be connected to recover and reuse water, nutrients, carbon dioxide, heat, and energy. The project emphasizes resource-flow analysis, circularity scenarios, sustainability assessment, and decision support for interconnected agricultural and environmental systems.

This PhD is part of the Greenhouse in Transition program, jointly funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR, USA). The program includes industrial and academic partners across the Netherlands and the United States and will employ multiple PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. The selected candidate will collaborate closely with another PhD student working on optimization and operational control strategies for circular CEA.

Eligibility highlights include an MSc degree in Biosystems Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field; experience with dynamic systems modelling, simulation, system dynamics, or agent-based modelling; programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or similar tools; strong analytical ability; and good English communication skills. The position is based at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands.

The role offers a 4-year PhD appointment, a tailored course program, and a salary starting at €3,204/month and rising to €4,051/month in the fourth year (full-time, 38 hours/week). Applications must be submitted through the WUR website. The deadline is 2026-08-25, with internal candidates encouraged to apply by 2026-08-03.

Funding details

Fully funded PhD position. The post offers a tailored course program and a 4-year project with a temporary 12-month contract extended if performance is satisfactory. Salary starts at €3,204 per month in year 1 and rises to €4,051 per month in year 4 (full-time 38 hours/week), under the Dutch university collective labour agreement.

What's required

Applicants should have an MSc degree in Biosystems Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field. Required or preferred experience includes dynamic systems modelling, simulation, system dynamics, agent-based modelling, or related approaches, plus programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar environments. Strong analytical skills, an exploratory mindset, interest in resource recovery, WEF nexus analysis, and circular food systems are expected. Good communication skills, proficiency in English for speaking and scientific writing, and the ability to work independently while contributing to an interdisciplinary team are required.

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