PhD in Socio-Economic Dynamics and System Dynamics for Nature-Inclusive Agrifood Transitions
Are you interested in sustainability transitions, biodiversity restoration, and the redesign of agrifood systems? This PhD position at
Eindhoven University of Technology
is part of the NWO-KIC project
RISE – Resilient Integrated Systems for Ecosystem restoration
. The project brings together TU/e, Wageningen University & Research, Leiden University, and Inholland University of Applied Sciences, along with societal partners from agriculture, horticulture, regional development, water management, policy, and civil society.
The project addresses a practical and urgent challenge: how to make biodiversity-enhancing practices in agriculture and horticulture ecologically effective, economically viable, and socially supported. The PhD will be embedded in the
Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences
and the
Innovation, Technology Entrepreneurship & Marketing (ITEM)
group, an environment with strong expertise in system dynamics, innovation systems, stakeholder engagement, and agri-food transitions.
The specific focus of this project is the
socio-economic dynamics of nature-inclusive agrifood transitions
. You will study how value chains, business models, economic incentives, stakeholder coordination, lock-ins, and rebound effects shape the feasibility of biodiversity-restoring practices. Using
system dynamics
and participative modelling, you will map the economic system around farms in regional case studies, conduct interviews and fieldwork, develop causal loop diagrams, and build a simulation model of regional transitions.
Two regional case areas are central to the project:
Reusel-Zuid
, focused on open-field agriculture, and
Oostland Zuid-Holland
, focused on greenhouse horticulture. A third region will support validation and replication. You will work closely with farmers, growers, value-chain actors, policymakers, and regional stakeholders in workshops and collaborative scenario development.
The PhD is part of a cohort of four candidates, each contributing to linked work packages across universities and disciplines. Cross-university supervision connects innovation science, spatial modelling, biodiversity monitoring, and ecological indicator development. The position is well suited to a candidate who enjoys working at the boundary of theory and practice and wants to produce both strong academic outputs and practical tools for transition pathways.
Requirements
include a relevant master’s degree, strong interest in sustainability transitions and agrifood innovation, and an interest or background in systems thinking and qualitative or mixed-method research. Excellent English is required; Dutch is a strong advantage because much of the fieldwork and stakeholder engagement will take place in Dutch agricultural and horticultural regions.
The appointment is a
full-time PhD position for four years
, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. The salary is in accordance with the Dutch Universities collective labour agreement, scale P, and includes holiday allowance and a year-end bonus. TU/e also offers pension contributions, training opportunities, and additional employment benefits.
Applications should be submitted online. A complete application includes a cover letter, CV with publications, and contact information for three references. The vacancy remains open until the position is filled, but applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
