Gerben Messelink

Wageningen University & Research is offering a fully funded PhD position in biodiversity monitoring for nature-inclusive agrifood transitions in the Netherlands. The project is part of the NWO-KIC RISE initiative (Resilient Integrated Systems for Ecosystem restoration) and sits at the intersection of biodiversity , ecosystem services , biological pest control , insect ecology , functional ecology , and agroecology . The PhD will be hosted at the Laboratory of Entomology and the crop protection team of the Greenhouse Unit in Bleiswijk, within Wageningen University & Research. The research focuses on how biodiversity implementation in two Dutch case areas relates to biological pest control as an ecosystem service, and how key indicators can be validated and used in practice. The project includes biodiversity heat maps, indicator species identification, field and greenhouse experiments, biodiversity monitoring, molecular gut content analyses of key predators, and assessment of biological control capacity with sentinel prey. The successful candidate will work in an interdisciplinary team of four PhD candidates across Wageningen University & Research, Eindhoven University of Technology, Leiden University, and Inholland University of Applied Sciences, with collaboration from farmers, growers, policymakers, regional stakeholders, and civil society partners. The project aims to develop spatial decision-support tools and implementation pathways for nature-inclusive agriculture and horticulture. Supervision is provided by Prof. Gerben Messelink at Wageningen University & Research, with additional cross-university co-supervision from Prof. Bige Tunçer and Dr. Ershad Sarabi Shahryar (Eindhoven University of Technology) and Prof. Peter van Bodegom (Leiden University). The position is embedded in the PE&RC graduate school. Applicants should have an MSc in Biology, Plant Sciences, or a related discipline, with a strong interest in insect ecology and biological pest control, experience in experimental insect research, and good communication and organizational skills. English at C1 level is required; Dutch is preferred. The position offers a salary from €3,059 to €3,881 per month, a tailored training program, and a temporary contract of 18 months with possible extension. Deadline: 31 July 2026 . Apply via the WUR vacancy page with a CV and motivation letter only.

Wageningen University & Research is recruiting a fully funded PhD in biodiversity monitoring for nature-inclusive agrifood transitions . The project is part of the NWO-KIC RISE initiative (Resilient Integrated Systems for Ecosystem restoration) and focuses on biodiversity, ecosystem services, biological pest control, functional ecology, and insect ecology. The PhD is hosted at the Laboratory of Entomology and the crop protection team of the Greenhouse Unit in Bleiswijk, within Wageningen University & Research. The work is embedded in an interdisciplinary consortium involving Eindhoven University of Technology, Leiden University, and Inholland University of Applied Sciences, with collaboration from farmers, growers, and societal stakeholders. The research will examine how biodiversity implementation in two case areas relates to biological pest control as an ecosystem service. Tasks include designing biodiversity heat maps, identifying indicator species, setting up field and greenhouse experiments, conducting biodiversity monitoring, performing molecular gut content analyses of key predators, and assessing biological control capacity with sentinel prey. The PhD will also contribute to collaborative scenario development and implementation roadmaps for nature-inclusive agrifood systems. Applicants should have a completed MSc in Biology, Plant Sciences, or a related discipline, plus a strong interest in insect ecology and biological pest control. Experience with experimental research on insects is required, along with strong organizational and communication skills. English at C1 level is expected, and Dutch is preferred for stakeholder engagement. Funding includes a fully funded PhD salary at WUR, starting at €3,059 gross per month in year one and rising to €3,881 in year four, plus standard employment benefits and a tailored course program. The contract is initially for 18 months and may be extended for the project duration if performance is good. Deadline: 31 July 2026 . Applications must be submitted through the WUR vacancy page only, with a CV and motivation letter totaling no more than 3 pages.

New PhD position available in a team working on biodiversity and biocontrol , with a focus on biological pest control in greenhouse production systems . The announcer is Gerben Messelink , Professor of Biological Pest Control in Greenhouse Production Systems at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands. This opportunity is relevant for candidates interested in agricultural research, pest management, biodiversity, and applied biological control. No detailed eligibility criteria, funding information, or deadline are included in the post text provided. The post indicates a PhD opening in the team, but applicants should check the linked LinkedIn post for any further instructions, requirements, or application portal.