Post-doc in Crop Ecology

We are looking for

This position is part of the NWO funded CropMix project. The agricultural sector faces major challenges including severe losses in biodiversity, dependence on environmentally malign inputs and climate change There is an urgent need for transition to environmentally benign food systems that are based on the economic strengths of collaboration between parties in the agricultural sector and on support and trust from civil society organisations. CropMix integrates knowledge of ecological, socio-economic and  institutional knowledge in  transdisciplinary approach through a deliberate strategy to involving stakeholders to address this need. It uses crop species mixtures as model system.

The candidate will be placed in the Crop & Weed Ecology Group (CWE) of Wageningen University, Plant Sciences. We do research on the ecology and management of crops, diseases, and weeds. We study plant form and adaptation, and ecological processes from plant to landscape scale. We thus contribute to the development of sustainable agricultural systems that provide high yields with a minimal ecological footprint and that maximally benefit from and contribute to natural biodiversity and its associated ecosystem functions.

Wageningen University and Research (WUR) is internationally renowned for its research and education in the fields of life sciences, plant improvement and sustainability. Through these activities it aims to make essential contributions to the quality of life.

The aim for this post-doc position is to integrate community ecological knowledge of plant-plant and crop-pest pathogen interactions obtained in a number of PhD projects within CropMix, and scale this to field and farm-level. This will done by (further) developing and using a robust crop model that can represent crop mixtures and rotations. The objective is to quantify the multi-year effects of different mixed cropping and rotational strategies on crop performance (e.g., yields, weed suppression, stress resilience) and local biodiversity. To this end, the post-doc will closely interact with the various PhD student working at the community ecological level but also with research in socio-economic domain and with stakeholders.     

We ask

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with the following qualifications:

• A PhD degree in plant science, biology, agronomy, or related discipline;
• Ample experience with experimental and quantitative modelling methods (modelling, systems analysis, simulation, etc);
• Interest in sustainable crop production and biodiversity, as well as in fundamental questions in the domain of plant-plant interactions and crop-weed competition;
• Successful publication record;
• Affinity to work within a larger multi-disciplinary project

We offer

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and 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.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between  € 2.846-  and  €4.490,- depending on level of experience for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the 

Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU)

(scale 10). 

We offer you a temporary contract for 1 year which will be extended with another two years if you perform well.
A part time employment is also possible. The position may start anywhere as of October 2022 and is negotiable.

The postdoc candidate will also participate in the graduate school Production Ecology & Resource Conservation of WUR, which offers opportunities for courses supporting scientific as well as personal and professional development.

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 17th 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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief , known as the 30% ruling. 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. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

More information

Additional information about this project can be obtained from Prof. Niels Anten ([email protected] ) and Dr. Jochem Evers ([email protected] )

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.

Please upload your application (motivation letter and curriculum vitae) via the “apply” button this website. Do not mail your application.  

This vacancy will be listed up to and including June 15th ,  2022.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page . A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

We are

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 7.200 employees and 13.200 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video 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.