PhD Researcher - Individual and collective decision making to reduce pollution from chemical inputs

Are you passionate about shaping the future of agriculture? Do you want to explore innovative approaches to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture while ensuring farm profitability? Then join us to embark on an exciting PhD journey filled with research, collaboration, and meaningful impact. The Business Economics Group at Wageningen University is looking for a PhD student to contribute to their research on effective approaches for mitigating risks to the environment from chemical inputs. The successful candidate will investigate chemical input decision-making processes of farmers, with a focus on both individual and collective approaches, such as environmental cooperatives. Your activities will include:assessing the relationship between farmers’ preferences, their coordination with peers, and their chemical input decisions using behavioural economics; using game theorical concepts to assess strategic interactive decision-making; proposing policies and new business models for reaching pollution reduction targets. As a successful candidate, you will have the chance to make a tangible difference in the world of agri-food systems. Your work will inform decision-making, drive sustainability, and create opportunities for reducing risks from chemical input use. You will have the opportunity to shape the topic, incorporating your own interests and strengths. You will work here The research is embedded within the chair group , which is led by . You will be co-supervised by and Specifications max. 38 hours per week €2770—€3539 per month Wageningen Wageningen University & Research Requirements The ideal candidate is expected to have (or will obtain within due course): a MSc degree in Applied Economics (e.g., agricultural economics, environmental economics), or related fields with a proven interest in economics; proficiency in statistical software is strong asset; good analytical and communication skills, both verbal and written; fluency in English. Conditions of employment Wageningen University & Research offers excellent . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include: partially paid parental leave; 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. For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here. In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team. The gross salary for the first year is € 2.770 - per month rising to € 3.539,- in the fourth year in according to the (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well. 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 “” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time. Coming from abroad Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands. Employer Wageningen University & Research The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines. Read the why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus! We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.