We are seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD candidate to join our research team. The successful candidate will work on an inter and transdisciplinary project aiming to inspire a paradigm shift in agriculture and to accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture in the Netherlands.

Your job
This interdisciplinary PhD research project aims to explore the conditions under which farm businesses are empowered to transition to regenerative agriculture, as well as to interrogate the role of existing regenerative agriculture schemes and key, but often overlooked food system actors (among which farmer organisations, banks, advisors and insurance companies, and suppliers) to (dis)empower farm businesses. This PhD project will advance a conceptualisation of empowerment in transitions to regenerative agriculture, and investigate empirically to what extent and how different agrifood governance arrangements and food system actors (dis)empower farm businesses.

This PhD research project is part of ReGeNL, a transition programme for Dutch agriculture to become based on regenerative practices. It is a transdisciplinary program in which, together with food system actors, we will actively shape the transition and develop solutions required to spur concrete action. This not only involves technical and agronomic solutions, but also social innovations, new revenue models based on social and environmental value creation and new forms of cooperation throughout the value chain from farm to fork. Within ReGeNL, Utrecht University particularly focuses on these socio-economic aspects of the transition.

Within ReGeNL, you will be part of a collaboration between the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development (Utrecht University), where you will be based, and the Rural Sociology Group (Wageningen University & Research). You will be supervised by Dr Giuseppe Feola and Dr Jerry van Dijk at Utrecht University, and Dr Margriet Goris at Wageningen University & Research.

This PhD position is an exciting opportunity to investigate the uneven power dynamics and the institutional, political, social, economic, and cultural barriers, and possibilities for overcoming them. It will identify and critically analyse changing articulations of power vis-à-vis historically and geographically determined political economic structures, value chains and rural-urban relations. This project will be informed by an interdisciplinary theoretical perspective drawing on environmental and sustainability transition governance, rural geography and sociology, political ecology, and political economy, and will likely involve a mixed-method approach combining quantitative and qualitative research methods, including literature review, interviews, surveys, participatory observation and transdisciplinary workshops.

We are looking for a candidate with the following qualifications:

• a Master's degree in Environmental Governance, Rural Studies, Political Ecology or similar social science, preferably with a critical and interdisciplinary orientation, and a focus on sustainability transitions/transformations of agrifood systems;
• familiarity and interest in theories of power and empowerment;
• sound qualitative research skills and proven experience with field research;
• interest in quantitative research and experience with quantitative analyses (e.g., statistics, network analysis) is a plus;
• ability and willingness to work across different disciplines, experience in participatory research is a plus;
• full proficiency in English and Dutch and excellent communication skills (both written and oral);
• ability to work well independently as well as under supervision;
• ability to work under time pressure and to navigate multiple tasks simultaneously.

Note: you do not need to fulfil all of these requirements. Please indicate your strengths and interests in the letter of motivation.

We offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,872 and €3,670 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

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 strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

For more information, please contact Dr Giuseppe Feola at g.feola@uu.nl

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.