Are you interested in sustainable transitions, environmental psychology and the role of farmer identities in changing agricultural systems? The University of Groningen in the Netherlands is offering a PhD position for a researcher who wants to explore these questions while contributing to a research project with both scientific and societal impact.

The PhD position is embedded within the Environmental Psychology research group at the University of Groningen and forms part of the large-scale transdisciplinary Re-Ge-NL project. The project focuses on accelerating the transition toward a regenerative, remunerative and socially supported agricultural sector in the Netherlands.

The research addresses an important question for the future of sustainable agriculture: Are farmers motivated to contribute to sustainability transitions, and what influences their willingness to support changes in the agricultural sector? The PhD researcher will investigate how farmers’ personal and social identities predict their support for sustainability transitions and, at the same time, how these identities can be shaped by the wider societal context surrounding agricultural change.

This wider context can include farmer protests, sustainability initiatives, nitrogen policies and changing public perceptions of farmers. By examining these relationships over time, the research aims to provide a deeper understanding of the psychological and social factors that influence agricultural sustainability transitions.

About the PhD Research

The project will investigate the motivational influence of farmer identities in advancing sustainable transitions. Farmers are central to the implementation of changes in agricultural practices, but their decisions are influenced by much more than economic considerations or technical feasibility. Personal identity, group belonging, social expectations and perceptions of wider society can all affect how farmers respond to sustainability policies and initiatives.

The PhD will examine these processes using longitudinal surveys among farmers and citizens together with experimental research methods. This combination will allow the researcher to investigate how attitudes and identities develop over time while also testing specific psychological mechanisms under controlled conditions.

The research will be conducted within a multidisciplinary consortium involving researchers and societal partners connected to the agricultural sector. This collaborative environment will provide opportunities to connect psychological theory with practical questions about agricultural policy, farmer participation and sustainable development.

The successful candidate will work under the supervision and guidance of Prof. Lise Jans and Dr. Thijs Bouman. The researcher will also collaborate closely with other members of the Re-Ge-NL consortium.

What Will You Do During the PhD?

The PhD researcher will conduct longitudinal studies and complementary experimental laboratory studies to investigate the relationship between farmer identities, motivations and sustainability transitions. The research will involve collecting and analyzing quantitative data from farmers and citizens and using empirical methods to understand how social and personal identities influence support for sustainable agricultural change.

You will coordinate with research partners within the Re-Ge-NL consortium and contribute to the wider interdisciplinary project. Because the research involves collaboration between academics and societal organizations, strong communication and organizational skills will be important throughout the position.

The results of the research will be published in international scientific journals and presented at international conferences. You will also have opportunities to communicate your findings to a wider public and contribute to a policy brief containing recommendations related to sustainable motivations in the agricultural sector.

The position also includes a limited number of teaching activities within the Environmental Psychology department. These may include participating in working groups and delivering guest lectures. As part of the PhD training programme, you will also follow relevant courses through the Kurt Lewin Institute.

Who Can Apply?

The position is aimed at candidates with a strong academic background in psychology or a related social science discipline. Applicants should have a Research MSc or MSc degree in Social Psychology, Environmental Psychology or a related Social Science field.

Experience with quantitative empirical research involving human participants is required. Candidates should have a good understanding of research methods and be comfortable conducting theory-driven empirical research.

The successful candidate should also be able to connect academic research with practical implications. Since the project aims to contribute to policy recommendations and sustainable agricultural practice, an interest in translating scientific findings into real-world applications will be important. Strong academic writing skills in English are expected. Applicants should also be enthusiastic about collaborative research and have good communication skills, organizational abilities and perseverance.

Dutch Language Skills

Dutch language proficiency is preferred for this PhD position, with C1-level Dutch listed as the preferred level. Knowledge of Dutch can be particularly useful because the research focuses on farmers, citizens and agricultural stakeholders in the Netherlands. It can also support communication with research participants and partners within the Dutch agricultural sector.

Salary and Employment Conditions

The University of Groningen offers a competitive PhD salary under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The gross monthly salary ranges from €3,204 to €4,051 for a full-time employment contract, depending on the stage of the appointment.

The position is a 1.0 FTE temporary appointment for four years. The successful candidate will initially receive a one-year contract. Following a positive Results and Development Interview, the contract will be extended for the remaining three years.

The intended starting date is November 1, 2026.

In addition to the salary, the employment package includes 232 vacation hours per year based on a 38-hour working week. Employees can also arrange their working hours more flexibly by working more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours.

The position also includes an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance. The University of Groningen provides extensive opportunities for personal and professional development, including training and academic development during the PhD.

Working at the University of Groningen

The successful candidate will join the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences at the University of Groningen. The university brings together researchers from different academic disciplines to address scientific questions as well as broader societal challenges.

Interdisciplinary research, knowledge sharing and collaboration with businesses, government institutions and societal organizations are important elements of the university’s research environment. This makes the University of Groningen a suitable setting for a PhD that connects psychological research with agricultural sustainability and public policy.

The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences focuses on behaviour, thinking, learning and participation in society. More than 4,500 students and approximately 650 staff members work within the faculty, addressing social questions and challenges that affect everyday life.

Research within the faculty covers areas including health and wellbeing, sustainable living, learning and development, inclusive societies, safe and healthy upbringing, work and collaboration. A central focus is understanding individual and societal resilience and identifying ways to strengthen it.

Environmental Psychology Research Group

The Environmental Psychology research group at the University of Groningen has an established national and international reputation in research on sustainable behaviour and environmental decision-making.

The group investigates a broad range of questions related to individual and collective sustainable behaviour. Research areas include energy use, transportation, food consumption and participation in environmental organizations, as well as the ways in which people and groups respond to environmental and climate risks.

Researchers also study the effectiveness of strategies designed to promote sustainable behaviour, the acceptability of environmental policies and changes, and the relationship between climate change, sustainable behaviour and wellbeing.

The group aims to contribute to both psychological theory and practical solutions. Researchers collaborate with colleagues from different disciplines within and outside the University of Groningen and work with governments, NGOs and other organizations.

This research environment is particularly relevant to the PhD because the project requires a combination of psychological theory, quantitative research and practical understanding of sustainability transitions.

Why This PhD Is a Strong Research Opportunity

This PhD offers an opportunity to study the human and psychological dimensions of sustainable agriculture. Discussions about agricultural transitions often focus on technology, economics and environmental policy, but the people who implement agricultural change are equally important.

Understanding farmers’ identities and motivations can help researchers and policymakers develop approaches that are more responsive to the experiences and perspectives of farming communities. The project therefore has relevance for both environmental psychology and agricultural sustainability research.

The longitudinal research design is another important feature of the position. Rather than examining attitudes at only one point in time, the project will investigate how farmer identities and support for sustainability transitions change as social and political circumstances develop.

The combination of surveys, experimental methods, interdisciplinary collaboration and policy engagement also gives the PhD researcher the opportunity to develop a broad set of academic and professional skills.

For candidates interested in environmental psychology, social psychology, sustainable agriculture, sustainability transitions, farmer behaviour and environmental policy, this position provides a strong opportunity to conduct research with clear real-world relevance.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

A strong application should make a clear connection between your previous academic experience and the research questions addressed by the PhD.

In the motivation letter, explain why you are interested in the relationship between farmer identities, motivation and sustainable agricultural transitions. Rather than simply stating that sustainability is important to you, show how your academic interests and previous research have prepared you to investigate these issues.

Candidates with experience in quantitative research involving human participants should describe the methods they have used and the types of research questions they have investigated. Experience with surveys, experiments, statistical analysis or longitudinal research can be particularly relevant.

It is also useful to demonstrate an interest in the practical implications of psychological research. The project has a strong policy and societal dimension, so applicants who can show that they understand the connection between academic findings and real-world sustainability challenges can strengthen their application.

Selection Procedure

After submitting an application, candidates will receive confirmation by email. The selection committee will assess the applications and notify candidates who are selected for an interview.

The first interview may take place online or at the University of Groningen. Depending on the position and the outcome of the first interview, candidates may be invited to a second interview.

The second stage may include an assessment or guest lecture, depending on the requirements of the selection process. Following a successful interview process, the university will discuss the terms of employment with the selected candidate.

The selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP Application Code.

Diversity and Social Safety

The University of Groningen places importance on creating a socially safe, inclusive and respectful academic environment. The university aims to ensure that staff and students feel welcome and respected regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives or identity. This approach supports an academic culture in which researchers can contribute their ideas and expertise while working collaboratively with colleagues and external partners.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is August 14, 2026, at 23:59 Dutch local time. The intended starting date is November 1, 2026. Applicants should prepare all required documents before the deadline because the application requires several supporting materials, including academic transcripts, references and proof of English proficiency.

Application & Requirements:

Applicants must submit a motivation letter explaining their interest in the PhD position and highlighting the qualities and experience that make them suitable for the research. An up-to-date curriculum vitae is required, together with academic transcripts showing course grades and diplomas. Applicants must also provide contact information for two academic references and proof of English proficiency.

Additional material documenting scientific engagement can also be submitted where relevant. Applicants should use these materials to demonstrate their research experience, quantitative skills, academic writing ability and interest in sustainability-related questions. APPLY NOW

PhD Position at a Glance

Detail	Information
Position	PhD Understanding Farmers’ Motivations to Contribute to Sustainability Transitions
University	University of Groningen
Faculty	Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences
Research group	Environmental Psychology
Project	Re-Ge-NL
Location	Groningen, Netherlands
Research areas	Environmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Sustainable Agriculture
Degree required	MSc or Research MSc
Preferred background	Social Psychology, Environmental Psychology or related Social Science
Employment	1.0 FTE
Duration	4 years
Initial contract	1 year, with extension after positive evaluation
Salary	€3,204–€4,051 gross per month
Holiday entitlement	232 hours per year based on 38 hours/week
Year-end bonus	8.3%
Holiday allowance	8%
Dutch language	C1 preferred
Starting date	November 1, 2026
Application deadline	August 14, 2026, 23:59 Dutch time

. APPLY NOW

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this PhD about?

The PhD examines how farmers’ personal and social identities influence their motivation and willingness to support sustainability transitions in agriculture. It will also investigate how those identities can change in response to wider societal developments such as agricultural policies, farmer protests, sustainability initiatives and public perceptions.

Where is the PhD position located?

The position is based at the University of Groningen in Groningen, the Netherlands, within the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences and the Environmental Psychology research group.

What is Re-Ge-NL?

Re-Ge-NL is a large-scale transdisciplinary project focused on accelerating the transition toward a regenerative, remunerative and socially supported agricultural sector in the Netherlands. The PhD researcher will contribute to this wider project through research on farmer identities and motivations.

What research methods will be used?

The research will use longitudinal surveys involving farmers and citizens, together with complementary experimental methods. These approaches will allow the researcher to study both changes over time and specific psychological mechanisms related to sustainability transitions.

What degree is required?

Applicants should hold an MSc or Research MSc in Social Psychology, Environmental Psychology or a related Social Science field.

Is quantitative research experience required?

Yes. Applicants should have knowledge and skills in quantitative empirical research involving human participants. Experience with theory-driven research and the ability to connect research findings with practical and policy implications are also important.

Is Dutch required for this PhD?

Dutch proficiency is preferred, with C1-level Dutch indicated as the preferred standard. This can be particularly useful when working with Dutch farmers, citizens and agricultural organizations.

What is the salary for the PhD?

The gross monthly salary ranges from €3,204 to €4,051, depending on the stage of the PhD appointment. The position also includes an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and an 8% holiday allowance.

How long is the PhD appointment?

The PhD is a four-year, full-time position. The initial employment contract is for one year and can be extended for the remaining three years following a positive Results and Development Interview.

When does the PhD start?

The intended starting date is November 1, 2026.

What documents are required?

Applicants should submit a motivation letter, an up-to-date CV, academic transcripts and diplomas, contact information for two academic references and proof of English proficiency. Additional material documenting scientific engagement may also be submitted.

What is the application deadline?

Applications must be submitted by August 14, 2026, at 23:59 Dutch local time.

Does the PhD include teaching?

Yes, but teaching is limited. Activities may include working groups and guest lectures within the Environmental Psychology department.

Will the research have policy relevance?

Yes. The PhD researcher will contribute to a policy brief with recommendations concerning sustainable motivations. The project is designed to connect psychological research with practical questions surrounding agricultural sustainability.

Who supervises the PhD?

The research is supervised by Prof. Lise Jans and Dr. Thijs Bouman within the Environmental Psychology research group.

Is this PhD suitable for environmental psychology graduates?

Yes. The position is particularly relevant to candidates interested in environmental psychology, social psychology, sustainable behaviour, farmer identities and sustainability transitions. A strong quantitative research background is also important.