Do you have a background in crop science, ecology, agronomy or a related field? Do you want to generate insights into the effects of climate change and extreme weather events on potato development? Do you like working both independently and in a multidisciplinary team? And do you like to travel and stay abroad when needed? Then you could be the ideal Ph.D. candidate to join our team at Wageningen University & Research.

Your tasks will be:
The Ph.D. candidate will design and run/oversee a number of designated experiments in heat and drought prone locations around the world and will use the generated data to develop and improve innovative modelling tools. The models will then be used to explore the production and quality of potato tubers grown with adapted management strategies under future climate change scenarios.

Information about the project:
Potato is among the most important food crops in the world, and it is of great importance to society. Climate change is likely to have a strong impact on potato productivity, not only because the overall climatic conditions change, but also because extreme events, such as floods, droughts and heat waves, and their combinations, are likely to occur more frequently. The - often non-linear - effects and tipping points associated with these events, and the interactions with crop management and nutrient-use efficiency, are still poorly understood. In addition, we do not really know how these climate effects can be mitigated by using resilient cultivars and by adequate crop management. A better understanding of the expected effects and potential solutions is urgently required.

This 4-year Ph.D. position is part of an interdisciplinary project in which Wageningen University collaborates with McCain Foods on climate extremes in potato. The first goal of the project is to generate insights into the effects of climate change and extreme weather events on potato development and on the yield and quality of the tubers. The second goal is to generate solutions for climate-robust potato cultivation in the future.

The successful applicant will be based at the Centre for Crop Systems Analysis (CSA) and co-supervised by scientists from CSA and from the Plant Production Systems Group (PPS) (both Wageningen University). The project is funded by McCain Foods as part of a programme of sponsoring research and education in sustainable crop production at Wageningen University.

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

• An MSc degree in a relevant field, including: crop sciences, ecology, agronomy, plant science or related field
• Clear affinity and experience with experimental and quantitative modelling techniques
• Able and willing to design, set up and coordinate multiple experiments around the world; supervise multiple students (interns or thesis); communicate with local partners; and travel and stay abroad when needed
• Affinity to collaborate with private sector, and an interest in exploring practical/business applications of the science
• Good communication skills including oral and written communication in English

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

• 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 € 2.443,- per month rising to € 3.122,- 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. Parttime employment is also possible (minimum 4 days per week).

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.

Wageningen University & Research

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, 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 the best university of the Netherlands by students for the 17th time in a row.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

Centre for Crop Systems Analysis
The mission of Centre of Crop Systems Analysis is to contribute to the development of high quality plant production in sustainable agro-ecosystems through research and teaching. The emphasis is on improvement and innovation of plant production at various levels of integration; from genotypes to cropping systems.

Plant Production Systems Group
The mission of Plant Production Systems Group is to integrate biological knowledge to analyse and design sustainable production systems for crops (including integration with livestock), focused on resource use efficiency and equitable management of natural resources. The two groups are located adjacent to each other and share many facilities.