PhD and Postdoc Positions at Wageningen University

Summary:

The Sociology of Development and Change (SDC) Group at Wageningen University is seeking applicants for a fully-funded PhD position in the ERC project ‘Politics of the Periphery in Urban Latin America: Reconceptualising Politics from the Margins’ (POPULAR). Led by Dr. Martijn Koster, this comparative ethnographic research project focuses on the interactions between low-income urban residents and the state in Medellín, Santiago de Cuba, and Recife, with an emphasis on housing and urban development. The project team includes six researchers (3 PhDs, 2 Postdocs, and the PI), collaborating on research methodologies, data analysis, publications, and conference participation. The selected candidate will conduct twelve months of ethnographic fieldwork in Recife’s low-income neighborhoods, studying resident-state relationships, with a focus on housing issues and resident activism. Responsibilities include conducting fieldwork, completing a PhD dissertation, publishing research findings, and actively participating in the SDC group and the Section Space, Place, and Society at Wageningen University.

Requirements

The ideal candidate should be a committed researcher with a keen interest in development, social injustice, and inequality. They should possess the ability to work collaboratively within a team while also maintaining independence, particularly during the 12 months of ethnographic fieldwork. Key qualifications include:

• A completed Master’s Degree in anthropology, development studies, or a related field.
• Demonstrated passion and skill in research, particularly with ethnographic and qualitative methods.
• Experience in urban Latin America or related topics in political anthropology, housing, and urban development is preferred.
• Fluency in English, and depending on the field site, Spanish or Portuguese.
• Strong skills in planning, organizing, presenting, and academic writing.
• The candidate should be willing to reside in the Netherlands, preferably near Wageningen.

English proficiency at C1 level is expected, and an internationally recognized English language proficiency certificate may be required.

Summary:

The ‘Politics of the Periphery in Urban Latin America’ project at Wageningen University, led by Dr. Martijn Koster, is offering a PhD position. This research focuses on the dynamics between low-income neighborhood residents and the state in Medellín, Santiago de Cuba, and Recife, exploring governance, politics, and activism.

Role: The PhD candidate will conduct ethnographic fieldwork in Santiago de Cuba, contribute to a dissertation, co-author publications, and engage in academic events. They will also participate actively in the Sociology and Development and Change Group at the university.

Requirements

Qualifications: Applicants must have a Master’s in anthropology, development studies, or related fields, with experience in ethnographic research, preferably in urban Latin America. Proficiency in English and, for specific field sites, Spanish or Portuguese is required.

Attributes: The role demands a dedicated, team-oriented researcher with an interest in social issues and the ability to work independently, especially during fieldwork. Residency in the Netherlands is expected for active departmental involvement.

Summary:

The Sociology of Development and Change Group at Wageningen University offers a PhD position in the ERC project ‘Politics of the Periphery in Urban Latin America’. This project, led by Dr. Martijn Koster, involves comparative ethnographic research on housing and urban development issues in low-income neighborhoods in Latin America. The selected PhD candidate will conduct fieldwork in Medellín, Colombia, focusing on the interactions between residents and the state, particularly regarding housing issues.

Requirements

Candidates should have a master’s degree in anthropology, development studies, or a related field, with a passion for research in urban Latin America or political anthropology. Proficiency in English, and Spanish or Portuguese (depending on the field site), along with strong academic writing and presentation skills are essential. The candidate must be willing to live in the Netherlands, near Wageningen, and may need to provide an English proficiency certificate.

Summary:

This PhD position, shared between Sociology of Development & Change and Landscape Architecture & Spatial Planning, focuses on researching peri-urban land and water commons in response to climate change and urbanization. The role is part of the ‘Peri-commons’ project, involving fieldwork in Europe and India to study the impact of urbanization on commons and related conflicts.

Requirements

Qualifications and Skills

• Educational Background: A completed MSc degree in human geography, development studies, spatial planning, environmental sciences, sociology, or related interdisciplinary sciences.
• Research Skills: Strong analytical skills, with an ability to perform comparative case study analysis. Experience or a strong motivation to work in multidisciplinary and international teams is crucial. Proficiency in participatory and qualitative social research methods is desirable.
• Communication and Collaboration: Excellent communication skills are essential, with an ability to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, from local communities to academic collaborators.
• Cultural Sensitivity and Experience: Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and research or outreach experience in Europe and/or Asia would be beneficial.
• Language Proficiency: A command of the English language at a C1 level, with potential requirements for an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in English.

Summary:

Wageningen University’s Information Technology Group (INF) is seeking a PhD candidate for a unique 4-year, full-time position. The role involves developing the greenhouse of the future by creating a digital twin that is smart, efficient, and inclusive. This project integrates advanced AI techniques, such as deep learning and reinforcement learning, with sensor data for adaptive, environmentally responsive systems. The candidate will actively collaborate with researchers in horticulture and energy, as well as stakeholders from greenhouse companies. Supervision will be provided by Prof. dr. ir. Bedir Tekinerdogan, with daily guidance from dr. Qingzhi Liu and dr. Önder Babur.

Requirements

Candidates should possess:

• A Master’s degree in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, agricultural sciences, or a related field.
• Experience in AI techniques, notably deep learning and reinforcement learning, along with proficiency in programming languages like Python.
• Knowledge in software/systems development and engineering, with an interest in digital twinning.
• An understanding or strong interest in precision agriculture/horticulture.
• Familiarity or a keen interest in sensing and IoT technologies.
• A collaborative spirit for working in multi-disciplinary projects, preferably with proven experience.
• Excellent English communication skills, with an expectation of C1 level proficiency. An internationally recognized English proficiency certificate may be required.

This position provides an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about AI and sustainable agriculture to contribute to a pioneering project at the intersection of technology and farming.

• Postdoc
• Natural sciences
• max. 38 hours per week
• University graduate

Summary:

This Postdoctoral role is centered on computational biotechnology and digital twins in the bio-based economy and biomanufacturing sector. The candidate will be integral to the BIOS and Bioindustry 4.0 projects, focusing on the digitalization and automation of Industrial Biotechnology. Responsibilities include developing Digital Twins using AI, optimizing bioprocesses, and genome-scale metabolic modeling.

The role involves collaboration with a team of professionals and supervision of student projects. The aim is to advance research in digital twinning and biomanufacturing modeling.

Requirements:

The candidate should have:

• A PhD in Computational Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Python and experience in machine learning and biotechnological data models.
• A background in genome-scale modeling and omics analysis.
• Strong communication skills and a record of peer-reviewed publications.

Additional qualifications like lab robotics programming and a public computational project portfolio are advantageous. English proficiency at C1 level is required, with language support available. This position offers significant opportunities for professional development in the field.

More Details and Apply.