Career at WUR

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We offer a diverse and challenging work environment, a pleasant atmosphere, opportunities for personal development, and a proper work-life balance. WUR is internationally recognized for its leadership in research.

Your job

Have you ever wondered if it is possible to harness the economic potential of biodiversity without harming the environment? Are you interested in developing markets for native plant species that benefit rural communities while conserving biodiversity? If you are proficient in Portuguese, this PhD could be your next step!

The Cerrado is a biodiversity hotspot facing threats from agricultural expansion and global market pressures, leading to conflicts between conservation, economic development, and local livelihoods. Native Cerrado species like macaúba, buriti, and pequi play crucial ecological roles and offer food, income, and livelihood opportunities for local communities.

This PhD position is part of the research project “Leveraging biodiversity for reshaping agricultural production in the Brazilian Cerrado,” which investigates how native species can be integrated into farming systems to support biodiversity and improve local livelihoods without further converting natural vegetation. The project combines expertise from researchers in Brazil and the Netherlands to map the current production of native species and their value chains, assess promising business opportunities, estimate future income potential, and test traceability approaches with farmers, cooperatives, and companies.

Your research will focus on understanding how native species are produced, managed, and commercialized by smallholder farmers in the MATOPIBA region. By integrating data from primary household and farm surveys along with secondary geospatial datasets, and employing advanced econometric methods, you will evaluate whether increased production diversity involving native species, the adoption of sustainable production practices, and specific market configurations can enhance food security and biodiversity outcomes. You will have the opportunity to develop your own research questions aligned with the project's broader objectives. The start date is February 2027.

Your Duties And Responsibilities Include

• Designing and implementing large-scale household and farm-level surveys with smallholder farmers in the MATOPIBA region to collect socioeconomic and biodiversity data.
• Analyzing geospatial and survey data using rigorous econometric methods.
• Conducting workshops and focus group discussions with local stakeholders to analyze the political economy of current markets for native species.
• Writing research papers and presenting findings at international academic conferences.
• Collaborating with research partners and contributing to the dissemination of project results.

You will work here

You will be based at the Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group (FNP) at Wageningen University. The FNP group focuses on the political, socio-economic, and cultural dimensions of forests and nature. Our research addresses major challenges including biodiversity conservation, deforestation, climate change, and landscape management in both the Global North and South. You will be supervised by Dr. Jorge Sellare and Dr. Verina Ingram.

Your qualities

We seek a researcher with a strong interest in agricultural economics, rural development, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land use. You enjoy working with quantitative data and are motivated to conduct research that combines rigorous econometric analysis with real-world challenges facing farmers and rural communities. Fieldwork in Brazil will be a significant part of the PhD project, so you should be enthusiastic about working with farmers and willing to spend time in rural areas under fieldwork conditions.

You Also Possess

• A completed MSc degree in agricultural economics, development economics, agricultural sciences, or a closely related field.
• Affinity for causal inference and an interest in developing skills in impact evaluation and applied econometrics.
• Proficiency in statistical software such as R, Stata, or Python.
• Experience with data collection in rural areas, including field biodiversity data.
• Proven excellent communication skills in Portuguese (level C1).
• Knowledge of GIS and spatial data analysis is an advantage.

For this position, your command of English is expected to be at C1 level. Occasionally, it may be necessary to submit an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language.

We offer

Wageningen University & Research provides excellent employment terms. Highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave.
• Flexible working hours to promote work-life balance.
• Access to campus sports facilities for a small fee.
• A fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• An excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and a tailored course program to meet your needs and those of the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is €3,204 per month, increasing to €4,051 in the fourth year, 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 performance is satisfactory.

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organization. Our recruitment and selection policy outlines the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee.

You will work on the most innovative and green campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.

Coming from abroad

WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant.”

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research center for life sciences. The themes we address are relevant worldwide, and WUR has a large international community and much to offer to international employees.

We expect you to work and live in the Netherlands, and our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will assist you with visa application processes for yourself and, if applicable, your family.

Feeling welcome also involves being well-informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about how we support international employees coming to Wageningen. Additionally, our Welcome Center can assist you with advice and information about housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs, or schooling. Certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Important information

For more information about the position, please contact Jorge Sellare, Associate Professor, via email: jorge.sellare@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema, Corporate Recruiter, via email: jessa.rozema-stol@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?

You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website, which allows us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total):

• Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages);
• Motivation letter (max. 1 page).

The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

You can apply until October 28, 2026. The first interviews are scheduled for November 4 and 5, 2026.

Additional Information Form

For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form allowing us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:

PhD: Economics of native species production and rural development in the Cerrado – Fill out form

Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.

Welcome, safe, and valued

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.” Under the banner of Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialized research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces to find solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environments. With approximately 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte), and 13,100 students, along with over 150,000 participants in WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organizations in its field. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and collaboration across different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

Locations

Wageningen

Professional field

PhD & EngD

Educational level

Masters degree

Apply before

October 29, 2026

Salary range

€3,048 - €3,853

Hours

32 - 36