The Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group of Wageningen University is looking for a PhD researcher who will join the project from data to food security intelligence. The successful candidate will draw from concepts of data sovereignty and data justice within a practical environment by, for example, analysing how ownership, access, privacy and benefits are constructed and enacted in the context of a programme that aims to make artificial intelligence and data science responsive to the needs of local decision-makers.

The project forms part of an interdisciplinary programme on food security intelligence in which a group of PhD researchers collaborate across different case studies in East and West African countries. The empirical insights of the project will contribute to a growing need to understand ethical governance processes in data generation and use, and how data governance can support meaningful knowledge production and circulation within this important domain. In addition, through participatory mechanisms you will generate insights into the data governance infrastructures and broader social mechanisms that are necessary to support equitable pathways to improved food security.

The start date is March 1st, 2025, and the contract is for four years.

In this exciting position you will:

• conduct literature reviews, and develop research questions, methodology and project design, related to the topic of focus.
• plan and execute fieldwork and data collection using qualitative and participatory approaches.
• engage with relevant stakeholders and build networks in case study areas in East and West African countries.
• draft and publish high quality journal articles in international journals.
• work collaboratively in a team across disciplines and with multiple stakeholders
• have opportunities to supervise Masters and Bachelors students and gain teaching experience

You will work here
The research is embedded in the chair group Knowledge Technology and Innovation Group, led by prof.dr. Anita Hardon. You will be supervised by dr. Katharine Legun.

You are/ You have:

• research experience in/affinity with East or West African countries. Preference will be given to candidates with such experience;
• MSc in a relevant social science discipline (sociology, science and technology studies, empirical philosophy, anthropology, human geography, etc);
• experience with qualitative approaches, including interviewing and/or participatory action research. Knowledge of creative and novel qualitative methodologies a plus;
• experience working in rural environments;
• familiarity with and interest in the politics of technological change in agriculture and data intensive technologies;
• data science skills are a plus;
• excellent analytical skills and conceptual understanding;;
• strong communicative, collaboration, networking and writing skills;
• French or Portuguese language skills a plus.

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 € 2.872 - per month rising to € 3.670,- 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.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands 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 and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.