We are looking for
Are you a proactive post-doc interested in the coupled challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change and food security? Are you interested in exploring how to scale up biodiversity-friendly behaviors in general, and specifically consumption and production behaviors in the food system? Are you comfortable with both quantitative and qualitative research method? Are you interested in interdisciplinary research (particularly linking economics and system thinking)? Then, you could be the ideal candidate to join our project on “scaling up biodiversity-positive food systems”.
A range of initiatives and innovations in food systems are being developed, and increasing by the day, to address the interlinked crises of biodiversity loss, climate change and food security. However, these initiatives largely remain theoretical, contested and/or niche. What is blocking innovations from scaling across the value chain from production to consumption and end of life? What makes an initiative and innovation suitable for scaling? And how can we speed up this change? What role do norms and values play in scaling up biodiversity positive food systems? What is the role for value chains, producer associations and/or the financial sector in achieving these changes?
The selected candidate will be situated in group of researchers under the investment theme “biodiversity-positive food systems” of Wageningen University & Research. The candidate will have a leading role in understanding the many barriers and enablers to scaling up and accelerating promising sustainable production initiatives. They will evaluate the potential multi-scalar outcomes this could have on biodiversity, food and other societal goals, such as climate change, livelihoods or good quality of life. The work will be grounded in two case studies and contrasting internationalized value chains of the dairy sector in the Netherlands and the cacao value chain.
You will join an international and transdisciplinary team lead by Prof. dr. Francisco Alpizar ( ENR group ),dr. Jeanne Nel ( ESG group ) and Dr. Raimon Ripoll-Bosch ( APS group ), and will be located in the Environmental Economics and Natural Resources group ( ENR ).
we ask
- you have completed a PhD in economics, environmental economics, agricultural economics or a similar field;
- you are interested in understanding how to shift the food system towards biodiversity positive production and consumption;
- you want to explore the interventions that can trigger a transformation of the food system and the mechanisms through which those operate;
- you have experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods;
- you are a team player who can communicate clearly and comfortably with scientists, consultants and policy makers;
- you are interested in biodiversity; cocoa and diary value chains; the financial sector;
- For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level .
- you have interest and demonstrable skill in publishing in renowned scientific journals.
we sacrifice
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labor Agreement include:
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
- excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will, depending on your experience, receive a gross salary of between €3.282,- and €4.490,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). We offer a temporary contract for 1 year which will be extended for the remaining period of the project if you perform well. The total duration of this project is 2 years.
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 17 th consecutive time.
More information
Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Prof. dr. Francisco Alpizar ( francisco.alpizar@wur.nl ), Dr. Jeanne Nel ( jeanne.nel@wur.nl ) or Dr. Raimon Ripoll ( raimon.ripollbosch@wur.nl )
For more information about the procedure, please contact Jeanine van ‘t Veer, Recruiter via recruitment.ssg@wur.nl .
Do you want to apply? You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.
This vacancy will be listed up to and including July 3 2022. We hope to schedule the first job interviews in the 2nd and 3rd week of July 2022.
The intended starting date is September 1, 2022.
This announcement is copied from here.