PhD Researcher in Controlled Environment Agriculture for Local and On-Demand Food Production

Are you excited about shaping the future of food production with autonomous crop systems that provide fresh and nutritious fruits and vegetables on demand? Do you thrive in interdisciplinary teams and have a passion for exploring the possibilities of controlled environment agriculture? Join us as a PhD researcher in the Horticulture and Product Physiology chair group at Wageningen University & Research to contribute to groundbreaking research in this field.

Project Overview:
This research opportunity is part of the 4TU.Redesign consortium, which aims to revolutionize the food system by connecting local consumer preferences with smart local production of fruits and vegetables in controlled environments. The focus is on developing a complete system that can be tailored to each city’s needs. The chair group Horticulture and Product Physiology is dedicated to exploring Dutch controlled environment agriculture, such as greenhouses and vertical farms, to develop methodologies for autonomous, local, and on-demand growth of crops.

Your Role:
As a PhD researcher, you will play a key role in envisioning the future of controlled environment cultivations. Your responsibilities include:

• Exploring cultivation scenarios and strategies for resource management throughout the year.
• Developing an intelligent decision-support system for crop selection and nutritional optimization.
• Contributing to shaping sustainable and cutting-edge food production methods.

Your Qualities:
We are seeking a result-driven team player with the following qualifications:

• MSc degree in Plant Sciences, Biosystems Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Comfortable working in an international and highly interdisciplinary environment.
• Strong conceptualization, quantitative, and big-picture thinking skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English (both written and oral).

• Group Calls on Rivers State to Protect Environment Amidst Flooding Concerns
• Ph.D Fellowship in Educational Science
• Ph.D. Student in Economics of Nutrition
• PhD Student Position in Chemistry with a Focus on Environmental Chemistry
• PhD Full Scholarship in Plant Breeding – “Improving Sorghum Pollen Resilience to Future Climates” at University of Queensland in Australia

Additional Information:

• Proficiency in English at C1 level is required.
• Wageningen University & Research offers excellent employment terms.
• The gross salary ranges from €2,541 to €3,247 per month over the 4-year project.
• You will receive a fully funded PhD position and a tailored course program.
• The position is initially for 18 months, with potential extension based on performance.

Application:
To apply, visit the vacancy page on our website and use the apply button. The application deadline is August 28, 2023. Job interviews are planned for September 12.

Equal Opportunities:
Wageningen University & Research promotes equal opportunities and welcomes applications from individuals underrepresented at WUR.

About Wageningen University & Research:
WUR’s mission is to “explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.” It is a leading organization with a multidisciplinary approach, combining university and research institutes.

About the Horticulture and Product Physiology Chair Group:
The chair group conducts high-impact research and education on the interaction between physiological processes in crops and the environment. The group focuses on sustainable crop production and product quality in horticulture.

Contact Information:
For more details about the position, contact Nastassia Vilfan (Nastassia.Vilfan@wur.nl), Cristina Zepeda (Cristina.Zepeda@wur.nl), or Leo Marcelis (leo.marcelis@wur.nl). For application queries, contact Noorien Abbas (vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl).