PhD in Socio-Economic Dynamics and System Dynamics for Nature-Inclusive Agrifood Transitions at Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is inviting applications for a PhD position in Socio-Economic Dynamics and System Dynamics for Nature-Inclusive Agrifood Transitions in the Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The position is part of the NWO-KIC RISE – Resilient Integrated Systems for Ecosystem Restoration project and focuses on understanding how economic, social, business, and stakeholder dynamics influence the transition toward nature-inclusive agriculture and horticulture.

The PhD researcher will work at the intersection of innovation science, system dynamics, value chains, biodiversity restoration, business viability, and real-world decision-making. The research will be carried out within an interdisciplinary team of four PhD candidates and in collaboration with farmers, businesses, policymakers, researchers, and other societal stakeholders.

PhD Research on Nature-Inclusive Agrifood Transitions

Biodiversity restoration in agriculture and horticulture presents complex challenges. Farmers operate within interconnected systems that include value chains, regional communities, regulations, ecological environments, financial considerations, and business models.

The RISE project aims to address these challenges by developing systems-based approaches that can help stakeholders explore nature-inclusive decisions. The project considers ecological, economic, and social dimensions together, with the goal of supporting transition pathways that can work in real-world agricultural and horticultural settings.

The RISE project brings together Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Leiden University, and Inholland University of Applied Sciences, alongside societal partners working in agriculture, horticulture, regional development, water management, policy, and civil society. Research will focus on two regional case areas: Reusel-Zuid, which focuses on open-field agriculture, and Oostland Zuid-Holland, which focuses on greenhouse horticulture. A third tree-nursing region will be used for validation and replication.

About the PhD Project

This PhD position is based at TU/e within the Innovation, Technology Entrepreneurship & Marketing (ITEM) group. The researcher will join a cohort of four PhD candidates working across universities and disciplines.

The specific research focus is the socio-economic dynamics of nature-inclusive agrifood transitions. Particular attention will be given to value chains, business viability, stakeholder coordination, system dynamics, lock-ins, and rebound effects.

The researcher will use system dynamics modelling, participative modelling, interviews, fieldwork, and stakeholder workshops to investigate how economic incentives, business models, value-chain relationships, risk perceptions, and stakeholder interactions influence the feasibility of biodiversity-enhancing practices. This makes the position particularly relevant to candidates interested in connecting academic research with practical challenges faced by farmers, businesses, policymakers, and regional stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

As a PhD candidate, you will investigate the economic system surrounding farms in the selected regional case studies. This includes examining upstream and downstream value-chain actors, supporting organizations such as financial institutions and policymakers, and the distribution of costs, benefits, risks, and responsibilities.

Your research activities will include interviews and fieldwork with farmers, growers, value-chain actors, regional stakeholders, and policy actors. You will also develop Causal Loop Diagrams that bring together economic, social, spatial, and ecological insights generated across the RISE project.

A major responsibility will be taking the lead in developing a system dynamics simulation model for nature-inclusive regional transitions. You will also design and facilitate stakeholder workshops to validate models, investigate transition pathways, and explore different scenarios.

The research will examine the business viability of nature-inclusive strategies, including incentives, barriers, lock-ins, rebound effects, and opportunities for stronger value-chain coordination. You will contribute to scenario development and implementation roadmaps and participate in advisory-board meetings, public dialogue, dissemination, and validation activities.

Academic publishing will also form an important part of the position. Potential research topics include collaborative innovation for biodiversity restoration, system dynamics models of regional transitions, stakeholder alignment through systems modelling, and the business viability of nature-inclusive transition pathways.

Who Can Apply?

TU/e is looking for a motivated, curious, and analytically strong candidate who wants to combine scientific research with practical impact. Applicants should have a master’s degree in Innovation Management, Organization Studies, Sustainability Transitions, System Dynamics, or a related field. A strong interest in sustainability transitions, biodiversity restoration, nature-inclusive agriculture, or agrifood innovation is expected.

Experience with systems thinking and system dynamics is relevant. Previous experience with causal loop diagrams, simulation modelling, or participatory modelling is an advantage.

Candidates should also demonstrate an interest in qualitative or mixed-method research. Relevant experience may include interviews, case studies, fieldwork, workshops, and stakeholder engagement. An interest in business models, value chains, ecosystems, and the economic feasibility of sustainability transitions is also important.

Because the project is interdisciplinary, applicants should be comfortable working across fields and connecting insights from innovation science, ecology, spatial planning, and practical stakeholder environments.

The position also requires strong communication skills and the ability to engage directly with farmers, industry partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Excellent written and spoken English is required. Willingness to conduct fieldwork in Dutch agricultural and horticultural regions is expected, while speaking Dutch is a strong advantage because the project involves interviews and workshops with Dutch farmers, growers, and regional stakeholders.

The successful candidate should be proactive, independent, organized, and able to manage a complex research project involving multiple partners. The position also includes opportunities to contribute to teaching and student supervision.

Employment Conditions and Salary

The PhD position is offered as a full-time, four-year temporary appointment. An intermediate assessment will take place after nine months. The researcher will spend at least 10% of the four-year appointment on teaching activities, with a maximum of 15% per year.

The salary follows the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P, with a gross base salary ranging from €3,204 to €4,051 per month for full-time employment. In addition to the base salary, the employment package includes an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus based on annual gross base salary. Employees receive standard leave of 29 days per year based on a 38-hour working week, with the possibility of increasing this to 41 days through flexible working arrangements.

The position also includes participation in the ABP pension scheme, professional training opportunities, technical infrastructure, on-campus childcare, access to the TU/e Student Sports Center, wellbeing support, commuting and home-working allowances, and support for international employees through the Staff Immigration Team and tax compensation arrangements.

About Eindhoven University of Technology

Eindhoven University of Technology is an international university where scientific research is combined with a practical and collaborative approach to societal challenges. TU/e has more than 13,000 students and over 7,000 staff members. The university is located in Brainport Eindhoven, a major technology region known for high-tech companies and research and development activities in areas such as AI, photonics, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.

The PhD candidate will be supervised by dr.ir. Bob Walrave as promotor and dr.ir. Rianne Valkenburg as advisor. Cross-university and interdisciplinary supervision will also involve expertise from TU/e Built Environment and Leiden University.

The successful researcher will work closely with the other RISE PhD candidates, whose projects cover spatial system mapping and decision-support design, biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem services, and ecological indicators and monitoring strategies.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a complete online application through APPLY NOW The application should include a cover letter explaining your motivation and qualifications and a CV containing your publications and the contact details of three references. Applicants are encouraged to notify their references when submitting the application because references may be contacted during the recruitment process.

TU/e states that complete applications receive priority. Applications submitted by email or post will not be processed. A pre-employment screening, including a possible knowledge security check, may form part of the selection procedure. For questions about the position, candidates can contact Bob Walrave or Rianne Valkenburg.

PhD Vacancy Key Details

Detail	Information
Position	PhD in Socio-Economic Dynamics and System Dynamics for Nature-Inclusive Agrifood Transitions
University	Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
Department	Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences
Research Group	Innovation, Technology Entrepreneurship & Marketing
Project	RISE – Resilient Integrated Systems for Ecosystem Restoration
Position Type	PhD / Research Position
Employment	Full-time
Duration	4 years
Salary	€3,204–€4,051 gross per month
Salary Scale	Scale P
Number of Positions	1
FTE	1.0
Location	Eindhoven
Province	Noord-Brabant
Country	Netherlands
Reference Number	2026/529
Application Deadline	1 October 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PhD position about?

The PhD focuses on the socio-economic dynamics of nature-inclusive agrifood transitions. The research examines value chains, business viability, stakeholder coordination, system dynamics, lock-ins, rebound effects, and the feasibility of biodiversity-enhancing agricultural practices.

Where is the PhD position located?

The position is based at Eindhoven University of Technology in Eindhoven, Netherlands, within the Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences.

How long is the PhD position?

The appointment is full-time for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months.

What is the salary for this PhD position?

The gross base salary ranges from €3,204 to €4,051 per month for full-time employment, according to Dutch university salary scale P.

What degree is required?

Applicants should have a master’s degree in Innovation Management, Organization Studies, Sustainability Transitions, System Dynamics, or a related field.

Is Dutch language knowledge required?

Dutch is not listed as an absolute requirement, but speaking Dutch is a strong advantage because the research involves interviews and workshops with Dutch farmers, growers, and regional stakeholders.

Is teaching part of the PhD?

Yes. The PhD candidate will spend a minimum of 10% of the four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year.

What documents are required?

Applicants need to submit a cover letter describing their motivation and qualifications and a CV that includes publications and contact information for three references.

How many positions are available?

The vacancy lists one PhD position with a full-time equivalent of 1.0 FTE.

What is the application deadline?

The listed last application date is 1 October 2026. The vacancy also states that it will remain open until the position is filled.