PhD Position in Biology & Life Science at the University of Copenhagen

The University of Copenhagen is looking for a Postdoc researcher for the highly relevant interdisciplinary research project ‘Towards a data-driven dashboard to support a socially-just transition to circular agriculture’. This project was funded by the Centre for Unusual Collaboration (CUCo), which is an initiative of the Young Academies of the Strategic Alliance between Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University and University Medical Center Utrecht.

Summary

Project Description

CUCo facilitates opportunities for unusual research collaborations with a view towards societal impact.

Current practices of producing and consuming food result in major environmental problems, and reorienting agriculture towards a sustainable future is a major societal challenge. Circular agriculture has been put forward as a promising vision on how to produce sufficient, affordable and safe food while mitigating sustainability problems. The transition towards circular agriculture depends on the support of farmers, consumers/ citizens and societal stakeholders.

Currently, stakeholders’ understanding of circular agriculture, possible costs and benefits, and necessary changes in farming, consumption and conservation practices is limited. More transparency on the implications for production, production environment (biodiversity) and animal welfare is needed. Therefore, the overall objective of this CUCo project is to involve farmers, consumers, citizens and other stakeholders in the transition towards circular agriculture by collecting, combining and giving meaningful access to farm data. 

You will be the Postdoc in the project and work in an interdisciplinary environment with scientists from the Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research and Utrecht University. You will create an inventory of the kinds of data relevant to stakeholders such as farmers, consumers/citizens, societal stakeholders to support the transition towards circular agriculture.

To achieve this inventory, a series of focus groups will be held with the aforementioned stakeholders. Furthermore, you will do a list of Dutch circular agriculture farming concepts and selecting concepts where in the coming years’ data can be collected. Finally, you will write a research proposal in order to gather more research funding for this project.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is March 14, 2021 

Eligibility

• You have a PhD and research experience in the agricultural and/or food domain (e.g., animal sciences, plant sciences, agricultural economics, sociology, governance).
• You have an interest in and understanding of sustainability challenges facing the Dutch food system.
• You have experience in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• You have excellent communication skills and like to make new contacts.
• You can work on your own, but you also enjoy interacting with an interdisciplinary team.
• You have excellent English writing skills and will use these to write a research proposal. Also, you have an understanding of Dutch that enables you to communicate with stakeholders.

Award Information

We offer a temporary position (1.0 FTE), initially for ten months. The gross salary – depending on previous qualifications and experience  – ranges between €2,790 and €5,127 (scale 10-11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for full-time employment.

Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. Also, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions  (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University be found here.

About the organisation

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 societal themes. Our focus is on the Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution where veterinarians are trained, but it is also where Researchers are working together on innovative scientific research. In the coming years, the faculty will focus on three themes: One Health, One Medicine and Veterinary Biomedicine. Also, the faculty provides specialist clinical care in the most extensive academic veterinary hospital in Europe.

A focus on disease, health and well-being of animals and their environments underpins the faculty’s three main pillars: education, research, and veterinary health care. The faculty consists of 1,500 students and 900 employees.

Additional information

For more information, please contact Dr Wilma Steeneveld  (Assistant Professor) via w.steeneveld@uu.nl of 06 29 23 26 51. Please do not send your application letter to this e-mail address.

Application Process

Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply’ button below.

Due to the coronavirus, interviews will be conducted by video calling.

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