Publisher
source

Wageningen University & Research

PhD in Modelling Impacts of Agricultural Practices on Soil Ecosystem Services Wageningen University and Research in Netherlands

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Fully funded PhD position for 4 years. 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 work week. The contract is temporary for 18 months and may be extended for the project duration if performance is satisfactory.

Deadline

Oct 2, 2026

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Country

Netherlands

University

Wageningen University & Research

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Keywords

Computer Science
Environmental Science
Agriculture
Biology
Earth Science
Water Resource Management
Nutrient Cycling
Farm Management
Statistics
Programming Language

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About this position

Wageningen University & Research is advertising a PhD position in the Earth Systems and Global Change Group on modelling the impacts of agricultural practices on soil ecosystem services across Europe.

The project focuses on developing and improving a modelling framework to assess carbon and nutrient flows, soil functions, and the effects of crop, soil, nutrient, and water management on multiple ecosystem services at regional and EU scale. The work is embedded in a wider European collaboration with 17 research partners and aims to support farmers and policy makers with scenario analysis, spatial assessment, and policy-relevant recommendations for sustainable arable farming.

Research interests and keywords include soil ecosystem services, soil health, agricultural practices, nutrient cycles, water management, carbon flows, quantitative modelling, programming (R/Python), and integrated environmental assessment.

You will work with supervisors Prof. dr. Hannah van Zanten, Prof. dr. Nynke Hofstra, Dr. Gerard Ros, Dr. Mengru Wang, and Prof Dr. Erik Meers (Ghent University). The position is based at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands, with collaboration across Europe.

The role is fully funded for 4 years. Salary starts at €3,204/month and rises to €4,051/month in year 4, plus standard Dutch university employment benefits. Applicants should hold an MSc in environmental sciences, agricultural studies, or a related field with a strong quantitative background, and should have strong English writing skills and willingness to travel.

Deadline: 2 October 2026. Apply via the WUR vacancy page and complete the mandatory Microsoft form. Submit a CV and motivation letter within the stated page limits.

Funding details

Fully funded PhD position for 4 years. 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 work week. The contract is temporary for 18 months and may be extended for the project duration if performance is satisfactory.

What's required

Applicants should have a successfully completed MSc degree in environmental sciences, agricultural studies, or a similar field with a strong quantitative background. Required or preferred experience includes knowledge of soil health, nutrient and/or agrochemical cycles in agriculture, quantitative modelling and programming (e.g. R, Python), excellent scientific writing in English, good organizational and intercultural communication skills, willingness to travel across Europe, and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary collaboration. English proficiency at C1 level is expected, and an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in English may sometimes be required. Applicants must also meet the entry requirements of the WUR PhD programme.

How to apply

Apply through the vacancy page on the WUR website using the apply button. Submit a CV (max 2 pages) and a motivation letter (max 1 page), keeping all documents within 3 pages total. Also complete the mandatory online form linked in the vacancy page.

More information can be found here

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