Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Netherlands, is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position titled “Behavioural and Economic Modelling to Support Systems-Based Pest Risk Management.” The project is designed for an ambitious early-career researcher interested in agricultural economics, behavioural science, systems modelling, plant health, and sustainable agricultural production.

The PhD addresses an increasingly important challenge for European agriculture. The emergence and spread of plant pests are being influenced by global trade, climate change, and changing agricultural practices. These developments create significant risks for food security, agricultural sustainability, and the economic viability of farming systems. Effective pest management therefore requires approaches that consider not only pest biology but also human behaviour, economic incentives, and government policies.

PhD Position at a Glance

Detail	Information
Position	Fully Funded PhD
Research Topic	Behavioural & Economic Modelling for Pest Risk Management
University	Wageningen University & Research
Country	Netherlands
Location	Wageningen
Research Group	Business Economics (BEC)
Project	PhytoPRISM – Horizon Europe
Required Degree	Master’s degree
Preferred Background	Agricultural Economics or related field
Employment	Full-time, 38 hours/week
Funding	Fully funded
Salary	Approximately €3,059–€3,881/month in detailed vacancy
Vacancy Summary Salary	€3,204–€4,051/month
Initial Contract	18 months, with extension possible
Application Deadline	August 20, 2026
First Interviews	August 25, 2026

Salary note: The vacancy contains two salary ranges. The detailed employment section states a starting salary of €3,059 per month and approximately €3,881 per month in the fourth year under CAO-NU scale P, while the vacancy summary lists €3,204–€4,051. Applicants should confirm the applicable salary with Wageningen University & Research.

About the PhD Research

The project investigates how behavioural, economic, and policy factors influence pest risk management decisions across European agricultural and agri-food value chains. The researcher will examine how farmers, businesses, policymakers, and other stakeholders respond to pest risks and how their decisions are shaped by economic incentives, institutional constraints, policy measures, risk perceptions, and the costs and benefits of different management strategies.

The ultimate goal is to develop improved modelling tools that incorporate behavioural responses into pest risk and bio-economic models. These tools will help researchers and policymakers evaluate alternative strategies and design pest risk management approaches that are both economically efficient and environmentally sustainable.

Main Research Objectives

The PhD has four interconnected objectives. First, the researcher will identify and analyse the behavioural drivers that influence stakeholder decisions in pest risk management. Second, the project will evaluate the economic trade-offs associated with prevention, eradication, containment, and other phytosanitary measures. Third, it will investigate how incentives, institutional constraints, and policy instruments influence stakeholder behaviour and overall system efficiency. Finally, behavioural responses will be incorporated into pest risk and bio-economic models to improve decision support and strategy development.

PhytoPRISM Horizon Europe Project

The PhD will be conducted within PhytoPRISM: A Platform for supporting a systems approach in Pest RISk Management, a newly launched multidisciplinary Horizon Europe project. The international consortium brings together 15 leading research partners from seven EU countries, providing the doctoral researcher with opportunities for international collaboration, interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, and participation in research relevant to European plant health policy and agricultural practice.

Research Environment at Wageningen

The researcher will join the Business Economics (BEC) group at Wageningen University, led by Prof. Alfons Oude Lansink. BEC has strong expertise in interdisciplinary research covering food supply chain economics, bio-economic modelling, food safety economics, and plant and animal health economics. This research environment is particularly suitable for a project that connects agricultural economics with behavioural science, modelling, plant health, and agricultural systems research.

Eligibility and Candidate Profile

The position is aimed at a highly motivated candidate with a recently obtained Master’s degree in agricultural economics or a similar field. Applicants should demonstrate an interest in agricultural production systems and European agri-food value chains. Experience with behavioural research or systems modelling is advantageous, while strong quantitative skills and an interest in statistical modelling or simulation approaches are highly relevant.

Experience with R, STATA, Python, or similar software is desirable. Candidates should be comfortable working independently while also contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary research team. Excellent spoken and written English is required, with C1 level or equivalent proficiency specified in the vacancy.

Salary and Employment Conditions

This is a fully funded PhD position under the employment conditions applicable to Dutch universities. The detailed vacancy states that the salary follows CAO-NU scale P, with the gross monthly salary increasing during the PhD from approximately €3,059 in the first year to €3,881 in the fourth year, based on a 38-hour working week.

The vacancy summary separately lists a salary range of €3,204 to €4,051 per month, so candidates should verify the final salary applicable to their appointment with WUR. The initial employment contract is for 18 months and will be extended for the duration of the project subject to satisfactory performance.

Employee Benefits

Wageningen University & Research offers a comprehensive employment package, including partially paid parental leave, flexible working arrangements, an emphasis on work-life balance, access to campus sports facilities, an 8.3% fixed year-end bonus, and an excellent pension scheme. PhD researchers will also receive a tailored course programme designed around their research needs and professional development.

International Applicants

International candidates are welcome to apply. Wageningen University & Research has a large international community and provides support with Dutch immigration and visa procedures. Its international services can also provide information about housing, banking, schooling, dual-career opportunities, and relocation. Depending on individual circumstances and Dutch tax regulations, some international employees may also qualify for a tax exemption on part of their salary during their first five years in the Netherlands.

Career Opportunities

This PhD can provide valuable preparation for careers in academic research, agricultural economics, plant health, sustainability, government policy, agricultural organizations, international research institutions, and the private agri-food sector. Researchers will develop expertise in quantitative modelling, behavioural analysis, agricultural economics, European research collaboration, scientific communication, and policy-oriented research.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit their materials through the APPLY NOW. The application should include a motivation letter of no more than one page, a CV of no more than two pages, and a maximum of two reference letters. The motivation letter should explain the applicant’s interest in the position and relevant experience for addressing the research objectives.

It is important to follow the document limits carefully. The vacancy states that applications exceeding the specified limits will not be considered. Academic transcripts, grades, and similar additional documents are not required at this stage and will not be considered.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is August 20, 2026. The first interviews are scheduled for August 25, 2026, making this a relatively fast recruitment process. Candidates should therefore prepare their application materials as early as possible.

Contact Information

For questions about the research position, applicants can contact Prof. Alfons Oude Lansink at alons.oudelansink@wur.nl or Monique Mourits at monique.mourits@wur.nl. Questions concerning the recruitment procedure can be directed to Jouke van Oostenbrugge, Corporate Recruiter, at recruitment.ssg@wur.nl.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a fully funded PhD?

Yes. Wageningen University & Research describes the position as a fully funded PhD appointment, with employment conditions based on the Dutch university collective labour agreement.

What degree do I need?

Applicants should have a recently obtained Master’s degree in agricultural economics or a similar discipline.

Can students from related disciplines apply?

The vacancy specifically mentions agricultural economics or a similar field. Candidates from closely related disciplines may be relevant if they can demonstrate strong quantitative skills and an appropriate interest in agricultural systems, economics, modelling, and pest risk management.

Is programming experience required?

Programming experience is desirable rather than presented as an absolute requirement. Experience with R, STATA, Python, or similar software can strengthen an application.

What is the main research topic?

The PhD investigates how human behaviour, economic incentives, and policy instruments influence pest risk management and integrates these behavioural factors into pest risk and bio-economic models.

What is PhytoPRISM?

PhytoPRISM is a Horizon Europe research project focused on developing a systems approach to pest risk management. It brings together 15 research partners from seven EU countries.

What is the salary?

The detailed vacancy states approximately €3,059 per month in the first year, increasing to approximately €3,881 per month in the fourth year. The vacancy summary lists a different range of €3,204–€4,051. Applicants should confirm the applicable salary with WUR.

How long is the contract?

The initial contract is for 18 months and is expected to be extended for the remainder of the PhD project if performance is satisfactory.

What documents are required?

Applicants need a maximum one-page motivation letter, maximum two-page CV, and up to two reference letters.

Are transcripts required?

No. The vacancy specifically states that grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

What is the deadline?

Applications must be submitted by August 20, 2026. The first interviews are scheduled for August 25, 2026.