Are you interested in delving into the intricate world of chemical entanglements? Are you passionate about interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research projects? Are you seeking opportunities to explore the social, political, cultural, and epistemic dimensions of chemicals?

If yes, the Knowledge Technology and Innovation Group (KTI) at Wageningen University & Research has two exciting PhD positions for you for their two distinct projects focused on chemical entanglements.

Project 1: Reducing Chemical Harm
KTI is looking for one PhD candidate who will participate in the EmbodiedEcologies Project, funded through a European Research Council Advanced Grant. The project explores the ordinary yet persistent forms of cumulative toxicities that threaten human health and well-being in cities through ethnography and creative cartography to study how people sense, know, and act to reduce chemical exposures.The project is structured into three phases: Urban Ethnographies of Chemical Exposure in Four cities, Making Visible Through Creative Cartography, and Co-Creating Harm Reduction

This PhD position will focus on the third and final phase, Co-Creating Harm Reduction. Here, we will analyize our ethnographic observations and representations from the previous 2 phases. Specifically, we will co-create novel harm reduction tools and strategies based on in-depth learning from existing efforts to mitigate chemical toxicities and enable such tools and strategies in specific socio-political settings.
The right candidate should: 1) be interested in learning across exisiting on-the-ground initiatives to reduce the harms of cumulative chemical exposures (harm reduction from below) 2) be interested in engaging with the spatiality of chemical entanglements, exposures, and toxicities (including, but not limited to, through sensorial, creative, body, GIS, or other kinds of map making).

The ideal applicant will have qualitative and spatial research skills and experience; however, we adopt a very broad understanding of what ethnography and cartography can be. Applicants who have non-traditional training or experience are thus highly encouraged to apply.

Project 2: Regulatory Relations
KTI is looking for one PhD candidate to co-produce a new project on chemicals, grounded in feminist and anticolonial praxis. The project will approach chemicals through regulatory relations (broadly defined), which can include but also work beyond dominant regulatory institutions. Applicants are welcome to propose projects on any chemical concern, in any location, site, or regulatory domain. The project will be fully funded by Wageningen University & Research.

Although this call for proposals is wide in scope, the ideal project proposal should avoid “damage-based” methodologies and aim to work with publics who are generating chemical interventions. The ideal applicant will have some qualitative research skills; experience in any relevant discipline; and interest in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary methodologies. Applicants who have relevant non-traditional training or unconventional career paths are encouraged to apply

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair Knowledge Technology and Innovation Group (KTI) which is led by prof. dr. Anita Hardon. You will be co-supervised by Associate Professor, Angeliki Balayannis.

Ideal candidates will have the following credentials for both positions:

• a completed Masters degree in a social science discipline relevant the project;
• experience in conducting qualitative research and fieldwork;
• willingness and demonstrated ability to work collegially with other members of a research team and participate actively in the activities of the project;
• research experience in projects addressing chemical entanglements will be considered a strong advantage;
• excellent written and spoken English.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.770 - per month rising to € 3.539,- in the fourth year in 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 you perform well.
There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Wageningen University & Research

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

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video 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.