PhD Position - Valuing animal-free testing in chemical safety assessment

Are you looking for an interdisciplinary PhD position (4 years) in the social sciences? Do you enjoy collaboration and working with a variety of stakeholders? Are you passionate about contributing to social change? We are looking for an ambitious and enthusiastic PhD candidate who enjoys working in a cross-disciplinary environment and is passionate about social change. The PhD position (4 years) is part of an NWA- funded interdisciplinary research consortium that focuses on how to accelerate the acceptance of (data derived from) animal-free models in chemical safety testing .

The research is embedded in the Knowledge Technology and Innovation (KTI) chair group of Wageningen University and Research. At KTI, our research focus is to to understand, support and intervene in processes of socio-technical innovation and transformation, with special attention to the dynamics involved in the production, integration and use of scientific and other knowledge in such processes.
You will be working alongside a PhD candidate and postdoc in toxicology and cell biology/immunology in an interdisciplinary team, led by Dr. Hans Bouwmeester. You will be jointly supervised by Prof. Phil Macnaghten (KTI) and Dr. Michelle Habets (KTI and Rathenau Instituut).

Your research
Despite the ethical challenges of animal testing, and the fact that animals can be poor predictors of the effects of chemicals on humans, animal-studies remain the gold standard to study the human safety of chemicals. The Dutch house of representatives (Tweede Kamer) has called on the government to set a timetable to end animal experiments for safety testing. However, a lack of acceptance of innovative animal-free assessment models for chemical safety evaluations is preventing a transition to animal-free testing. The PhD-student will critically examine the question of how to accelerate the acceptance of (data derived from) animal-free models.

To increase societal acceptability of animal-free testing:

• You will gain an understanding of the reasons for the slow uptake of animal free models by analyzing the values and visions that shape the views of various stakeholders and institutions in the field of chemical safety testing.
• You will set up a citizens jury to provide input to the empirical research conducted in the toxicology department to enable the co-creation of animal- free assessment methods.
• You will help set up interactive workshops as a 'safe' space where stakeholders can develop strategies for accelerating the transition to animal-free models.
• You will interact with citizens, scientists, risk assessors, policy makers, and industry in an iterative and continuous process throughout your research.
• You will use methods that include observational studies, interviews, focus groups, interactive stakeholder workshops, and desk study.

You also possess:

• A successfully completed Masters degree in a social science discipline (such as Science and Technology Studies, Innovation Studies or Sociology) or in a natural science discipline (such as biotechnology, biology or animal sciences)
• An interest and affinity with inter- and transdisciplinary research and an interest in institutional transitions and in engaging with policy debates
• Good communication, analytical and management skills
• An empirical research orientation and knowledge of, or willingness to learn, qualitative research methods, including observational research, interviews, focus groups, interactive stakeholder workshops
• Experience, or willingness to learn, the writing of academic papers and policy briefs
• A collaborative and creative orientation

In our international working environment, there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position we expect proficiency both in English and Dutch (or willingness to learn rapidly).

You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So, if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.

About the KTI group
The research focus of the Knowledge, Technology and Innovation (KTI) group is to understand, support and intervene in processes of socio-technical innovation and transformation, with special attention to the dynamics involved in the production, integration and use of scientific and other knowledge in such processes. Our research efforts focus on three intersecting research themes: (1) making knowledge work; (2) configuring technology and society; and (3) co-designing responsible and sustainable innovations. The transformative potential of knowledge and technology on society, and vice versa, are approached by KTI faculty as two sides of a co-production process. Through working with stakeholders at an early stage in transdisciplinary research, we develop, apply and critically reflect on innovation processes to help shape and adjust technological and social innovation, so it becomes embedded in society in a fair and accountable way. We apply our knowledge and methodologies in a variety of interdisciplinary educational tracks.
Our studies are conducted across a variety of domains, including food, health, water systems, agricultural transitions, biodiversity, and environment – areas in which Wageningen University and Research offers an excellent ecosystem of knowledge and application. The KTI Group is embedded in the Social Sciences Department of Wageningen University – a vibrant community of social science scholars from a multiplicity of disciplines.

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 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 € 2.541,- per month rising to € 3.247,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (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 “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 18th 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.
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. For instance under the "30% rule", certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.

For more information about this position, please contact Phil Macnaghten [email protected]
Professor of Technology and International Development, KTI .

For more information about the procedure, please contact Jouke van Oostenbrugge, [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.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including Monday 3rd of July 2023.
We hope to schedule the first job interviews on mid July 2023.

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 .

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, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 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 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.