Fully Funded PhD in Water-Energy-Food Nexus Modelling at Wageningen University, Netherlands
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is offering a fully funded PhD position in Integrated Water Energy Food Nexus Modelling for Circular Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in Wageningen, the Netherlands. This doctoral research opportunity is designed for candidates interested in systems modelling, sustainable food production, environmental engineering, agricultural engineering, resource efficiency, and circular economy approaches.
The project focuses on developing an integrated modelling framework for understanding the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus in controlled-environment agriculture, including both greenhouse and vertical farming systems. For applicants seeking a funded PhD in the Netherlands with a strong engineering and sustainability focus, this position offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of agricultural systems, modelling, environmental science, and technology.
PhD Position in Water-Energy-Food Nexus Modelling
Modern controlled-environment agriculture is increasingly moving toward interconnected and circular production systems. Future systems may combine greenhouse production, renewable energy, livestock production, and wastewater treatment so that resources such as water, nutrients, carbon dioxide, heat, and energy can be recovered and reused.
However, these systems operate across different spatial and temporal scales. Understanding how the individual components interact is therefore challenging using conventional modelling approaches. The successful PhD candidate will develop an integrated modelling framework capable of analysing these interconnected systems.
The research will examine resource flows, evaluate different circularity scenarios, and support sustainable system design and decision-making. The project covers both greenhouse agriculture and vertical farming, making it particularly relevant to researchers interested in the future of controlled-environment food production.
What Is the Water-Energy-Food Nexus?
The Water-Energy-Food nexus refers to the interconnected relationships between water, energy, and food systems. Changes in one resource system can affect the others. For example, agricultural production requires water and energy, while energy systems may depend on water and food-processing or agricultural activities can generate resources that may potentially be recovered and reused.
In this PhD project, the nexus concept is applied to circular controlled-environment agriculture. The research will examine how water, energy, carbon, and nutrients move through interconnected production and treatment systems. The objective is to create modelling tools that can help researchers and decision-makers understand these relationships and evaluate potential circular production scenarios.
Research Focus: Circular Controlled Environment Agriculture
Controlled Environment Agriculture, or CEA, includes agricultural production systems where growing conditions can be managed using technologies such as greenhouses and vertical farms.
The research project looks beyond individual production units.
Instead, it considers how multiple systems can be connected.
The envisioned circular CEA systems may integrate:
- Greenhouse production
- Vertical farming
- Renewable energy
- Livestock production
- Wastewater treatment
- Water recovery
- Nutrient recovery
- Carbon dioxide recovery
- Heat recovery
- Energy reuse
The PhD research will develop modelling approaches capable of representing the interactions between these components.
This systems-level perspective is central to the research.
About the Greenhouse in Transition Programme
This PhD position is part of the Greenhouse in Transition programme.
The programme is jointly funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) in the United States.
According to the vacancy, the programme brings together 29 industrial partners and 17 academic partners across the Netherlands and the United States.
It will involve 11 PhD candidates, 1 EngD candidate, and 4 postdoctoral researchers.
The interdisciplinary structure provides an opportunity to work with researchers and industry partners working on different aspects of sustainable controlled-environment agriculture.
The PhD candidate will also collaborate closely with another PhD researcher working on optimization and operational control strategies for circular CEA systems.
Together, the two projects are intended to establish modelling and optimization foundations for future circular greenhouse and vertical farming systems.
PhD Research Responsibilities
The successful candidate will have several major research responsibilities.
Develop an Integrated Modelling Framework
The primary responsibility will be to develop an integrated modelling framework representing interactions among:
- Greenhouse production
- Renewable energy
- Livestock production
- Wastewater treatment
The framework should help researchers understand how these systems interact and how resources can be recovered and reused.
Analyse Resource Flows
The research will examine the movement of:
- Water
- Energy
- Carbon
- Nutrients
These flows will be analysed under different scenarios to assess circularity, sustainability, and resource efficiency.
Build and Validate Simulation Models
The candidate will implement and validate simulation models for:
- System analysis
- Scenario evaluation
- Future optimization
This makes simulation and quantitative modelling an important part of the doctoral research.
Collaborate Across Disciplines
The project involves close collaboration with researchers, industry partners, and other PhD candidates.
The candidate will share data and research findings and participate in project and consortium meetings.
Publish Research
The PhD researcher will disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed scientific publications and complete a PhD thesis.
Research Group at Wageningen University & Research
The position is embedded within the Agricultural Biosystems Engineering (ABE) group at Wageningen University & Research.
The group is led by Prof. Peter Groot Koerkamp.
The PhD candidate will be supervised by Dr. Congcong Sun and Dr. Argyris Kanellopoulos, with Prof. Peter Groot Koerkamp serving as promotor.
The Agricultural Biosystems Engineering group develops and applies advanced technologies to improve agricultural biosystems and make them more sustainable.
Its research considers the interactions among plants, animals, soil, technology, and people.
The group also focuses on understanding complex agricultural systems and applying engineering principles to design, optimize, and manage them while considering their impacts on society and ecosystems.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should have a strong background in engineering, systems modelling, or a closely related discipline.
A Master’s degree is required in one of the following fields:
- Biosystems Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Agricultural Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- A related field
Candidates should also have relevant experience in modelling and programming.
Required Skills and Experience
The vacancy identifies several qualities and technical skills that are relevant to the position.
Dynamic Systems Modelling
Applicants should have experience with approaches such as:
- Dynamic systems modelling
- Simulation
- System dynamics
- Agent-based modelling
- Related modelling methodologies
Programming
Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar environments is expected.
Analytical Ability
Strong analytical skills and an explorative mindset are important for dealing with complex interdisciplinary research problems.
Sustainability and Resource Recovery
Applicants should have an interest in:
- Resource recovery
- Water-Energy-Food nexus analysis
- Circular food systems
- Sustainable food production
Communication and Teamwork
Good communication skills are required, including proficiency in English for both oral communication and scientific writing.
The successful candidate should also be capable of working independently while contributing effectively to an interdisciplinary research team.
Wageningen University & Research describes this as a fully funded PhD position. The successful candidate will also receive a course programme tailored to their individual needs and the research team. The salary follows the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU), scale P. The stated gross salary is:
- First year: €3,204 per month
- Fourth year: €4,051 per month
The position is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. Th initial contract is for 12 months, with an extension for the duration of the project subject to satisfactory performance. The project has a duration of four years, with an intended starting date of 1 November 2026.
Employee Benefits
In addition to the PhD salary, Wageningen University & Research lists several employment benefits.
These include:
- Partially paid parental leave
- Flexible working-hour arrangements
- A strong focus on employee vitality
- Access to sports facilities on campus for a small fee
- An 8.3% fixed year-end bonus
- An excellent pension scheme
The position also includes professional development through a tailored course programme.
International Applicants
International candidates can apply for the position.
Because the successful candidate is expected to live and work in the Netherlands, Wageningen University & Research provides support related to Dutch immigration procedures.
The university states that its advisors can assist with visa application procedures for the candidate and, where applicable, their family.
The university also provides information for international employees through its International Community resources.
Its Welcome Center can provide additional guidance on practical matters such as:
- Housing
- Opening a bank account
- Dual-career programmes
- Schooling
Eligibility for any tax arrangement depends on the applicable rules and individual circumstances. The PhD in Integrated Water Energy Food Nexus Modelling for Circular CEA at Wageningen University & Research is a fully funded doctoral opportunity for candidates with backgrounds in engineering, systems modelling, environmental sciences, and related disciplines.
The research centres on developing modelling tools for interconnected greenhouse and vertical farming systems. Its focus on resource flows, circularity, renewable energy, wastewater treatment, livestock production, and sustainable food systems makes it particularly relevant to researchers interested in the future of integrated agricultural systems.
The position offers a gross salary starting at €3,204 per month, rising to €4,051 per month in the fourth year, based on a 38-hour working week. The project is four years long and has an intended starting date of 1 November 2026. The stated application deadline is 24 August 2026, although the university warns that the position may be filled earlier because applications are reviewed regularly.
PhD Position at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Wageningen University & Research |
| Location | Wageningen, Netherlands |
| Position | PhD: Integrated Water Energy Food Nexus Modelling for Circular CEA |
| Academic level | PhD |
| Required degree | Master’s degree |
| Relevant fields | Biosystems Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Systems Engineering or related field |
| Funding | Fully funded PhD |
| First-year gross salary | €3,204 per month |
| Fourth-year gross salary | €4,051 per month |
| Working hours | 38 hours per week |
| Project duration | 4 years |
| Initial contract | 12 months |
| Intended start date | 1 November 2026 |
| Application deadline | 24 August 2026 |
| Location | Wageningen, Netherlands |
Application Deadline
The stated application deadline is Monday, 24 August 2026. Notes that internal candidates were preferred to apply before Monday, 3 August 2026.
Applications are reviewed regularly, meaning the position may be filled before the stated closing date.
For external applicants, this makes early submission particularly important.
Rather than waiting until the final day, qualified candidates should prepare their application documents and submit them as soon as they are ready. This doctoral position is particularly relevant for candidates who want to apply quantitative modelling to real-world sustainability challenges. Rather than focusing on a single agricultural process, the research examines interactions among multiple systems. The project connects agricultural production with renewable energy, livestock systems, wastewater treatment, and resource recovery.
That makes the research relevant to several rapidly developing areas, including circular agriculture, sustainable food systems, systems engineering, environmental modelling, controlled-environment agriculture, and resource efficiency. The position may therefore appeal to applicants who want a research career that combines engineering methods with environmental and agricultural applications.
Key Areas of Research
The PhD project brings together several major research themes:
Water-Energy-Food Nexus
Understanding interactions between water, energy, and food systems.
Circular Agriculture
Investigating how resources can be recovered and reused rather than treated as waste.
Controlled Environment Agriculture
Studying greenhouse and vertical farming systems within a wider interconnected system.
Systems Modelling
Developing simulation and modelling frameworks for complex agricultural and environmental systems.
Resource Recovery
Analysing the recovery and reuse of water, nutrients, carbon dioxide, heat, and energy.
Sustainable Food Production
Using modelling and scenario analysis to support more sustainable production systems.
How to Apply
Candidates should apply using the application button provided next to the vacancy on the Wageningen University & Research website: https://www.wur.nl/en/vacancy/phd-position-integrated-water-energy-food-nexus-modelling-circular-cea
Contact Information
For questions about the research position, applicants can contact:
Dr. Congcong Sun
Assistant Professor of Intelligent Control Systems
Phone: +31 618869125
Email: congcong.sun@wur.nl
For questions about the application procedure, contact:
Dax Teunissen
Corporate Recruiter
Email: vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a fully funded PhD?
Yes. Wageningen University & Research states that the successful candidate will receive a fully funded PhD position and a tailored course programme.
What is the PhD salary?
The gross salary is €3,204 per month in the first year and rises to €4,051 per month in the fourth year, according to the vacancy.
Where is the PhD located?
The position is based in Wageningen, the Netherlands, at Wageningen University & Research.
What degree do I need?
You need a Master’s degree in Biosystems Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
Do I need modelling experience?
Yes. The vacancy asks for experience with dynamic systems modelling, simulation, system dynamics, agent-based modelling, or related approaches.
Is programming experience required?
Yes. Experience with Python, MATLAB, or similar programming environments is listed among the requirements.
What is the Water-Energy-Food nexus?
In this project, the Water-Energy-Food nexus refers to the interconnected relationships and resource flows among water, energy, and food-related systems within circular controlled-environment agriculture.
What does CEA mean?
CEA stands for Controlled Environment Agriculture. The project specifically includes greenhouse and vertical farming systems.
What systems will the PhD research connect?
The modelling framework will represent interactions among greenhouse production, renewable energy, livestock production, and wastewater treatment.
What resources will be studied?
The research will analyse water, energy, carbon, and nutrient flows under different scenarios.
Is this PhD suitable for environmental engineering graduates?
Yes. Environmental Engineering is explicitly listed among the relevant Master’s degree backgrounds.
Can agricultural engineering graduates apply?
Yes. Agricultural Engineering is specifically listed as a relevant field.
Can international applicants apply?
Yes. Wageningen University & Research provides immigration and practical support for international employees.
What is the project duration?
The project is four years, with an intended starting date of 1 November 2026.
What is the initial contract duration?
The initial temporary contract is for 12 months, with an extension planned for the duration of the project if performance is satisfactory.
When is the application deadline?
The stated deadline is 24 August 2026.
Can the position close before the deadline?
Yes. The vacancy explicitly states that applications are reviewed regularly and that the position may be filled before the stated closing date
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