"EngD Program: Co-creating Regenerative Areas"

Are you an enthusiastic, hands-on researcher looking to apply scientific knowledge to real-world challenges and design a more sustainable future for agriculture in the Netherlands? Join the Land Use Planning chair group as an EngD researcher in Regenerative Agriculture, with a focus on co-creating regenerative landscapes.

What you will work on

The REGENL program aims to develop a sustainable, future-proof countryside in which farming contributes in a positive manner to the landscape, the environment and the overall quality of life. The interaction of such ‘regenerative agriculture’ with the surrounding landscape is a crucial topic, as this should ensure that negative externalities are minimized while synergies are maximized. To ensure that we will design the best spatial configurations of various types of regenerative agriculture within the landscapes, five Engineering Doctorate candidates will work closely together and with a wide range of stakeholders to design multiple regenerative landscapes.

At this stage, three of the five positions have already been filled and are still seeking candidates for the remaining two positions: Water management and hydrological environmental interactions, Rural vitality. Your central challenge is to use scientific methods to co-create regenerative landscapes in a way that supports both economic viability and sustainable environmental outcomes.

About the Program

This EngD position is part of the Dutch government-funded program RE-GE-NL, which supports the transition from conventional to regenerative, profitable, and socially supported farming. Regenerative agriculture is a form of farming that combines food production with ecosystem restoration and prevents soil depletion. The project contributes to a healthier environment and a sustainable future for Dutch farming enterprises.

The two-year post-master program leads to an Engineering Doctorate (EngD), certified by the Dutch Certification Committee for Technological Design (CCTO). You will work under expert supervision at the Land Use Planning chair group, combining academic rigor with practical experience.

What you will gain

Advanced project management skills, design and research skills in a real-world context, a strong foundation in communication and (stakeholder) collaboration, a prestigious EngD degree and a smoother path into industry or policy roles.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Setting up and carrying out the above-mentioned research, resulting in inspiring, functional landscape designs for a range of areas throughout the Netherlands.
• Publishing and presenting the research and sub-research results in the Netherlands and at international scientific conferences.
• Actively participating and contributing to the RE-GE-NL project.
• Maintaining and expanding contacts with internal and external partners.

Requirements

• A completed university degree at master's level in Spatial or Environmental Planning, Geography, or another related field.
• Knowledge of, experience with, or demonstrable interest in agricultural and environmental topics.
• Skills, or willingness to develop them, to collaborate interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary (with societal stakeholders) and to actively contribute to knowledge integration in the RE-GE-NL project.
• Strong communication skills.
• A good command of both Dutch (B2 level) and English (C1 level).
• Enthusiasm and affinity for both scientific and practice-oriented research.
• A result-oriented, flexible mindset with perseverance.

Conditions of employment

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; 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 of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of €3,029 (full-time, 38 hours/week) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale TOIO). As for your contract, we initially offer a six-month contract that can be extended with 18 months on good performance.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes. You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.