Miranda Meuwissen

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position focused on Food System Resilience, with primary research in Indonesia and comparative studies in Colombia, Cuba, Ethiopia, and Iraq. The project aims to understand how food systems can survive and thrive amid climate shocks, price volatility, and supply chain disruptions, using the ABCD framework (Agency, Buffers, Connectivity, Diversity). The research is embedded in the Business Economics group and the Soil Physics and Land Management group at WUR, with fieldwork at Brawijaya University in Indonesia. The successful candidate will study resilience attributes at farm, household, and community levels, link resilience to sustainability and economic efficiency, and collaborate with international partners such as the World Bank, Gates Foundation, GIZ, and Rabobank Partnerships. The position is part of the INTRINSIC program, an interdisciplinary initiative involving five PhD positions across five countries and development organizations. The research will involve close collaboration with other PhDs in the program and local partners like the Integrated Organic Farming System Research Centre in Indonesia. Applicants must have an MSc in agricultural or business economics, food system governance, or agronomy with an interest in resilience and economics. Strong English proficiency (C1), teamwork, analytical skills, and willingness to conduct field research are required. Affinity with Indonesian agri-food systems is preferred. Application materials include a CV (max 2 pages), motivation letter (max 1 page), and up to two reference letters. The deadline for applications is 15 February 2026, with interviews scheduled for 18 February 2026. The position offers a gross salary starting at €3,059/month in the first year, rising to €3,881/month in the fourth year, plus an 8.3% year-end bonus, paid parental leave, a strong pension scheme, and visa and relocation support for international candidates. The first and last 10 months are spent in Wageningen, with fieldwork in Indonesia in between. The program emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and real-world impact in food, sustainability, and life sciences. For more information, contact Prof. Miranda Meuwissen ([email protected]), Dr. Karrar Mahdi ([email protected]), or Dr. Uma Khumairoh ([email protected]). Apply via the official WUR vacancy page. Sharing in your network is appreciated.

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on food system resilience in Colombia, with a particular emphasis on Lighthouse Farm Communities (LHFs). The research aims to understand how resilience attributes—Agency, Buffers, Connectivity, and Diversity (ABCD)—help farmers anticipate and respond to disruptions such as climate change, pests, price volatility, and supply chain shocks. The project is part of the interdisciplinary INTRINSIC program, involving collaboration with multiple international partners and development organizations. The PhD trajectory includes 10 months at WUR in the Netherlands (Soil Biology & Business Economics groups), fieldwork in Colombia (International Center for Tropical Agriculture and Ecohabitat), and a final phase back at WUR. The research will analyze resilience at farm, household, and community levels, design resilience metrics, and contribute to cross-country comparisons across five LHF communities. The position is embedded in a vibrant, international research environment with strong support for professional development and work-life balance. Applicants should hold an MSc in Agricultural or Business Economics, Food System Governance, Biology, Soil Ecology, or Agronomy, and demonstrate interest in food system resilience, sustainability, and agronomy/soil science. Strong teamwork skills, English proficiency (C1), and preferably regional knowledge and fieldwork experience in rural Colombia are required. Analytical skills and experience in designing new metrics are advantageous. The position offers a competitive salary in the Netherlands (€3,059–€3,881/month) and a stipend during fieldwork in Colombia (€1,380/month), with additional benefits such as parental leave, pension scheme, year-end bonus, and support for international relocation and visa procedures. The application deadline is 11 February 2026, with a preferred start date of 1 July 2026. To apply, submit a CV and motivation letter (max 3 pages) via the WUR vacancy page. For more information, contact the supervisors or recruiter at the provided emails.

Wageningen University & Research is advertising the WASS PhD Summer School on risk analysis, risk management, and resilience in agriculture . The course is designed for PhD candidates and early-career researchers with interests in agricultural economics , risk , resilience , econometrics , and related topics. The summer school runs for five days at Wageningen Campus, the Netherlands , from 24–28 August 2026 , and awards 3 ECTS . It combines theory and hands-on sessions covering risk measurement and decision-making, econometric analysis of risk, empirical applications in agriculture, and current EU policy developments on agricultural risk management and resilience. Lecturers include Yann de Mey (Associate Professor, Business Economics), Miranda Meuwissen (Professor in Business Economics), and Tobias Dalhaus (Associate Professor, Business Economics). The course is targeted at graduate-level participants, especially PhD students and postdoctoral researchers with a background in agricultural and applied economics. Applicants should have a basic understanding of statistics, econometrics, and mathematical notation, and should be comfortable working with R . Before the course starts, participants must submit a short research note (maximum one page) focused on the role of risk in their research. During the course, participants complete five assignments to qualify for the ECTS credits. Fees are listed as €300 for WGS PhDs with TSP, €640 for other PhD candidates and postdocs/staff of the relevant Graduate Schools, and €900 for all others. Coffee breaks, lunch, the welcome dinner, and social drinks are included. Interested participants should register through the course page and email the required research document to [email protected] before 24 August 2026 .