PhD: Regulation of Low Risk Pesticides

Updated: over 1 year ago
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

We are looking for

Are you concerned about the long-term environmental impact of human activities and agriculture, the trade-offs with food security and the role of EU Green Deal policies? Are you interested in exploring how promising new technologies in agriculture could contribute to more safe and equal world in the future? Are you motivated to work with an established international team of researchers?

Than we might have an interesting Phd position for you at Wageningen University & Research.
Wageningen University and Research is hiring a PhD candidate (4 years, full-time employment) to become part of a large international and multi-disciplinary project funded by the EU that aims to develop new models and tools to assess the future development of the EU agricultural landscape.

As PhD candidate :

  • You will gain research experience in a variety of economic disciplines, from microeconomics, regulatory economics to econometrics.
  • You will contribute to the implementation and analysis of questionnaires for national authorities about risk assessment (RA) process of low risk pesticides (LRPs).
  • You will also work on the calculation of the potential impact on investment by introducing real option modelling to the new regulatory harmonization schemes for LRPs. Assessment of different harmonization schemes’ advantages and disadvantages will be identified.

In the course of the elaboration of the thesis the candidate will gain experience by interacting with leading researchers in agricultural economics, stakeholders groups, international research teams and policy makers.

The research is embedded within the chair Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy at Wageningen University. The PhD project is part of the Horizon Europe RATION project, that is funded by the Horizon Europe programme with the work programme topic of Risk assessment of new LRPs.
The overall objective of the RATION project is to address major regulatory constraints of LRPs and aims to develop a novel RA scheme, supported by the necessary guidance, methods, and tools for its implementation. This scheme will consider the specific characteristics of currently available LRPs (microbials, plant extracts, pheromones, semiochemicals) and will also address emerging LRPs (e.g., ds-RNA, microbiome solutions).

The candidate will be co-supervised by Prof, Justus Wesseler and Dr. Kutay Cingiz.


We ask

You have

  • a successfully completed MSc degree in agricultural, environmental or applied economics
  • strong quantitative background: knowledge of econometric methods and economic modelling, previous knowledge of survey analysis is an advantage
  • excellent English language proficiency (a minimum of CEFR C2 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our dedicated language page
  • the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team
  • the ability to think critically and the ambition to publish the results of your work in top economics and interdisciplinary journals.

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 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 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.

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 .


More information

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Kutay Cingiz by e-mail [email protected].
For more information about the procedure, please contact Jeanine van ‘t Veer by email [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 4 September 2022. We hope to schedule the first job interviews in the week of 12 September 2022. The preferred starting date for this position is 1 November 2022.


We are

Wageningen University and 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 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!



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