Postdoc: Governance arrangements for regenerative agriculture

Join us in shaping sustainable food systems through innovative regenerative farming models. Deadline 22 Nov ’25 yesterday published Vacancy ID 4915

Job description

Our current food system is at the heart of many pressing sustainability challenges. Industrial agriculture contributes significantly to climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil and water degradation, while at the same time many farmers struggle to secure a fair income. Regenerative farming practices offer pathways towards sustainable food production, yet their widespread adoption is hampered by uncertainties about viable business models and reward structures.

Your job

This postdoctoral position is part of ReGeNL, a large national inter- and transdisciplinary research programme aimed at accelerating the transition of Dutch agriculture towards regenerative practices. Within this consortium of multiple Dutch universities and research institutes, you will collaborate with researchers, farmers, policymakers, financial institutions, and supply chain actors. Your work will directly inform both science and practice, and contribute to shaping the governance and financing models needed for a sustainable and just agrifood system.

A common perception is that regenerative farming is by definition more costly and cannot deliver a viable business model for farmers. This assumption is an important barrier for the agricultural transition. However, numerous farmers in the Netherlands and abroad demonstrate that successful regenerative business cases are possible. Their models often rely on strongly reduced input costs, improved product quality, short supply chains, or certification schemes. Some farmers are already experimenting with additional income streams by monetising ecological and social services. Since a large share of Dutch farmers produces for export markets, product differentiation alone will not suffice to ensure viable regenerative business models. Exploratory studies suggest that payments for ecosystem services (PES) can provide a substantial financial complement for regenerative farms, enabling their income to exceed that of conventional businesses. Yet, the right mix of options will depend strongly on landscape and farm context and design. This project, embedded in ReGeNL, will therefore investigate governance models and reward structures that allow ecosystem services to become a structural part of farm income. Together with farmers, banks, governments, and market actors, we will co-create and implement innovative financing and governance models in pilot regions with different contexts. Deliverables include tested and broadly supported governance arrangements for multiple value creation.

Your role

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will:

• Analyse cost-benefit structures of regenerative farming at landscape level;
• Co-develop governance and financing models with farmers and key stakeholders;
• Guide implementation and evaluate the effectiveness of these models in pilot regions;
• Produce academic publications as well as practice-oriented outputs;
• Actively contribute to the ReGeNL programme, including interdisciplinary collaboration with partner universities and institutes;
• Engage with farmers, as well as policy, financial, and value chain actors to ensure impact.

Requirements

We invite applications from candidates who preferably:

• Hold a PhD in agricultural/environmental economics, governance studies, environmental sciences, or a related field;
• Have experience with transdisciplinary research and stakeholder collaboration;
• Have strong analytical skills, both quantitative (economic/financial analysis) and qualitative (interviews, participatory approaches);
• Show affinity with agricultural transitions, ecosystem services, and sustainability governance;
• Have a track record of international peer-reviewed publications;
• Possess excellent communication skills and a collaborative attitude;
• Are proficient in English (C1 level) and Dutch (B2 level).

Conditions of employment

We offer:

• A postdoc position (0.8 - 1.0 fte) for 3 years in an interdisciplinary and societally relevant project;
• A dynamic research environment with strong links to farmers, policy, finance, and market stakeholders;
• Opportunities to publish internationally and contribute to high-impact policy and practice;
• Active involvement in the ReGeNL programme, providing unique opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and networking;
• a working week of 32 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.546 and €5.538 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Employer

Universiteit Utrecht

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

Additional information

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Pita Verweij via p.a.verweij@uu.nl

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Working at Utrecht University

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