By scholarshipswithaakash@gmail.com 
Are you passionate about soil health, sustainability, and advanced modeling techniques? Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is offering a fully funded PhD position in Modeling Soil Processes/Functions at the Field Scale in Regenerative Agriculture. This four-year program provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to the transition toward sustainable farming while receiving advanced scientific training, a competitive salary, and access to world-class research facilities.
With agriculture facing increasing pressure to produce more while safeguarding environmental health, regenerative agriculture is seen as a game-changer for the future of farming. This PhD project is part of the ReGeNL project, a large-scale initiative helping Dutch farmers transition to regenerative practices that restore soils, support biodiversity, and ensure economic viability.
📅 Application deadline: September 30, 2025
📍 Location: Wageningen, The Netherlands
💰 Salary: €3,058 per month in the first year, rising to €3,881 in the fourth year (CAO-NU scale P)
📑 Contract: 18 months initially, extended upon good performance
🌾 Why Regenerative Agriculture?
Agriculture is under immense pressure. Farmers must meet the global demand for food while balancing:
- Sustainable soil health 🪱
- Efficient input use (fertilizers, pesticides, water) 💧
- Climate and environmental impact 🌍
- Farmer incomes and rural economic stability 💰
Regenerative agriculture provides a pathway to achieve these goals by working with nature rather than against it. Unlike conventional farming, which often depletes soils and ecosystems, regenerative practices focus on restoring soil functions, increasing biodiversity, and enhancing ecosystem resilience.
The Netherlands is leading this transformation through ReGeNL, a project that aims to support 1,000 farmers in their transition to regenerative agriculture by 2030, with the ultimate goal of making regenerative farming the new normal by 2040.
🔍 The PhD Project: Modeling Soil Processes and Functions
This PhD research focuses on developing mathematical models to better understand how soil processes contribute to soil functions in regenerative systems. Your work will directly inform farmers, policymakers, and scientists on which practices lead to improved outcomes for soil health, climate resilience, and farm profitability.
🎯 Core Objectives
- Modeling Soil Processes: Develop process-based and machine learning models to simulate soil functions at the field scale.
- Linking Management Practices: Analyze how regenerative practices influence soil processes and functions.
- Defining Indicators: Identify key biological, chemical, and physical indicators for soil health, with emphasis on biological indicators often overlooked in monitoring programs.
- Scaling Knowledge: Work as part of a multi-level modeling team (from field scale to ecosystem scale) to ensure comprehensive assessments.
🧪 Research Team & Collaboration
You will join a team of PhD candidates focused on different aspects of soil modeling, embedded in the Soil Biology Lab, the Farming Systems Ecology Group, and in collaboration with the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW).
This project offers a multidisciplinary research environment, connecting soil science with ecology, economics, and governance — ensuring that your research has both scientific depth and practical impact.
👩🎓 Candidate Requirements
To qualify for this exciting PhD position, candidates should bring a mix of soil science expertise, modeling skills, and programming knowledge.
✅ Essential Qualifications:
- Degree in Soil Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or a closely related field.
- Experience with process-based modeling (e.g., agent-based models, differential equations) or machine learning tools.
- Strong programming skills in R, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent.
- Excellent English skills (written and spoken) – at least C1 level.
- Strong team-player attitude, communication skills, and organizational abilities.
🌍 International Candidates
International applicants are welcome. WUR provides guidance on visa applications, relocation support, and housing assistance. Some international staff may also qualify for a tax exemption scheme during the first five years in the Netherlands.
💰 Funding, Salary & Benefits
This is a fully funded PhD position with outstanding employment benefits under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).
Salary & Contract:
- Year 1: €3,058 per month
- Year 4: €3,881 per month
- Initial 18-month contract, extended to full project duration upon positive evaluation.
Benefits:
- 📅 Partially paid parental leave
- 🕒 Flexible working hours for optimal work-life balance
- 🏋️ Access to campus sports facilities for a small fee
- 🎁 Year-end bonus of 8.3% of annual salary
- 🏦 Excellent pension scheme
- 📚 Tailored PhD training program with access to advanced courses and ReGeNL training modules
Additionally, you will work on Wageningen’s world-famous green campus, which has consistently been voted the best university in the Netherlands for 20 consecutive years. 🌟
🌍 Wageningen University & Research (WUR): A Global Leader
WUR is internationally recognized as a leading life sciences university dedicated to addressing global challenges related to food, environment, and society. With 7,700 staff, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students from around the world, WUR is a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation.
Why Choose Wageningen?
- 🌱 Strong focus on agriculture, ecology, and sustainability.
- 🌍 Large international community.
- 🏫 Multidisciplinary approach bridging science and society.
- 🌳 A green, inspiring, and supportive work environment.
- 🏆 Ranked among the top universities worldwide for agriculture and environmental sciences.
📅 Application Process
How to Apply:
- Apply online through the WUR vacancy portal (applications via email will not be considered).
- Prepare your CV, motivation letter, and any relevant supporting documents.
📅 Deadline: September 30, 2025
🗓️ First interviews: From October 20, 2025
Contact for More Information:
- 📧 Luciana Chavez Rodriguez (Project Contact): luciana.chavezrodriguez@wur.nl | ☎️ +31 6 16963795
- 📧 Jessa Rozema-Stol (Recruitment Contact): jessa.rozema-stol@wur.nl
🔗 More details: Official WUR Vacancy Posting
❓ FAQs About the Position
1. 📍 Where is the PhD based?
At Wageningen University & Research (WUR), The Netherlands, within the Soil Biology Lab in collaboration with NIOO and Farming Systems Ecology.
2. 💰 Is the PhD fully funded?
Yes, it offers a monthly salary starting at €3,058, increasing annually, plus full employee benefits.
3. 🧪 What skills are required?
A background in soil science, experience with process-based modeling or machine learning, and programming skills in R/Python/MATLAB.
4. 🌍 Can international candidates apply?
Yes, WUR has a large international research community and provides support with visas, relocation, and housing.
5. 📅 What is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by September 30, 2025.
6. 👩🎓 When will interviews take place?
The first interviews are scheduled from October 20, 2025.
7. 📚 What kind of training is offered?
You will have access to a customized PhD training plan, supervision, and the ReGeNL training programme on Regenerative Agriculture.
📣 Conclusion: Why This PhD is a Unique Opportunity
This fully funded PhD in Modeling Soil Processes in Regenerative Agriculture at WUR is more than just a research opportunity — it’s a chance to contribute to a global transformation in agriculture. By working at the cutting edge of soil modeling, sustainability, and farm system design, you will play a key role in shaping the future of farming in the Netherlands and beyond.
With excellent funding, a competitive salary, international exposure, and the opportunity to be part of the ReGeNL project’s groundbreaking mission, this PhD offers the perfect combination of scientific challenge and societal relevance.
If you are motivated, skilled in modeling, and passionate about soil and sustainability, don’t miss this chance. 🌍🌱📊
👉 Apply before September 30, 2025, and become part of Wageningen’s world-leading team driving the future of regenerative agriculture.
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