Key Skills

Job Description

Your job The Earth Systems and Global Change Group at Wageningen University and Research invites applications for a PhD position (4 years) in “Modelling non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture” starting in September 2026. This PhD project aims to advance monitoring, reporting, verification (MRV) systems and mitigation strategies for reducing agricultural GHG emissions by systematically evaluating and improving the accuracy, effectiveness, efficiency, and usability of both established and emerging MRV tools, as part of an exciting HORIOZON project entitled MARVELA. The research will focus on key agricultural practices, including animal husbandry, manure management, livestock feeding and grazing, soil tillage, fertilizer application, and liming, across diverse pedo-climatic zones and farming systems. By adopting a holistic, systems-oriented perspective, this project will generate harmonized metrics that enable consistent, transparent, and comparable assessments across regions and practices, while simultaneously providing new scientific insights to inform the development and implementation of robust mitigation measures for the achievement of climate neutrality goals. Your Duties And Responsibilities Include As a PhD researcher, you will expand and improve an existing modelling framework to predict direct and indirect nitrous oxide and methane emissions from agriculture. You contribute to the following activities: Performing a SWOT analysis of existing models and model requirements to predict non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions on regional level across Europe, including their ability to assess the impact of mitigation measures across time and space. Design, build and implement an integrated regional and farm system MRV meta-model for several pilot regions across Europe Model evaluation of mitigation measures to ‘consolidate and improve knowledge on mitigation measures for agricultural non-CO2 GHG emissions. You will work here The research is embedded within the chair Earth Systems and Global Change Group (https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/chair-groups/environmental-sciences/earth-systems-and-global-change-group.htm), which is led by Prof. dr. Hannah van Zanten (https://www.wur.nl/en/persons/profdrir-hhe-hannah-van-zanten) and Prof. dr. Nynke Hofstra (https://www.wur.nl/en/persons/profdrir-n-nynke-hofstra). You will be supervised by Dr. Gerard Ros (https://www.wur.nl/en/persons/drir-gh-gerard-ros), Dr. Mengru Wang (https://www.wur.nl/nl/personen/dr-m-mengru-wang) and Prof. dr. Hannah van Zanten (https://www.wur.nl/en/persons/profdrir-hhe-hannah-van-zanten) from Wageningen University, and Prof Dr. Erik Meers from Ghent University. Your qualities You are/have the following personal competencies and skills. experience in data analysis, quantitative modeling and programming (e.g., R, python); knowledge of nutrient and/or agrochemical cycles in agriculture; excellent scientific writing skills in English; experience with publishing peer-reviewed academic journals is appreciated; good organizational and intercultural communication skills; willingness to travel across Europe. You also possess: a successfully completed MSc degree in environmental sciences, agricultural studies, or similar with a strong quantitative background; enthusiasm for collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of researchers with diverse backgrounds and disciplines. the entry requirements of the WUR PhD programme; enthusiasm to do a PhD project at Wageningen University for four years. For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level (https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale). Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here (https://www.wur.nl/en/education/phd-programme/admission-requirements). We offer Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/conditions-of-employment). 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; 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 year-end 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 € 3,204,- per month rising to € 4,051,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/en/collective-labour-agreement-of-dutch-universities) (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. We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 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. Wageningen University & Research's International Community (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/expats-new-international-staff) page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center (https://wcfv.nl/en/home/global/our-services/happy-landing-and-living/) can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs 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. Important information For more information about the position, please contact Dr Gerard Ros via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema, Corporate Recruiter, via [email protected] Ready 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. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered. To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total ): Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages); Motivation letter (max. 1 page). The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered. You can apply up to and including 9 October 2026. Additional information form Qualifications For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below: PhD: Modelling non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture – Fill out form (https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xQJLf2aaXa) Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process. Welcome, safe, and valued Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization. We are 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 5 reasons (https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Why-choose-WUR.htm) 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.

Core Responsibilities

The researcher will develop and improve a modelling framework to predict non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture across Europe. Key tasks include performing SWOT analyses of existing models and implementing an integrated regional and farm system MRV meta-model.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a successfully completed MSc degree in environmental sciences, agricultural studies, or a similar quantitative field. Proficiency in English (C1 level) and experience in data analysis and programming (R, Python) are required.

Benefits

• Partially paid parental leave
• Flexible working hours for work-life balance
• Access to campus sports facilities
• Fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%
• Excellent pension scheme
• Fully funded PhD position
• Tailored course program