Description

Leiden University, through its Faculty of Science and the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), is offering a salaried PhD position focused on developing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for biodiversity-inclusive agriculture and horticulture. This doctoral opportunity is carried out in partnership with Eindhoven University of Technology and Wageningen University and Research.

The selected candidate will join the NWO-KIC project RISE (Resilient Integrated Systems for Ecosystem restoration). Working alongside three other PhD candidates, farmers, and societal stakeholders, you will help co-develop a system dynamics model that supports sustainable transitions in the agrifood sector. The research bridges innovation science, value chains, system dynamics, ecosystem restoration, and practical decision-making for agricultural stakeholders.

PhD Position Details

Key Research Responsibilities

As a PhD researcher within the RISE project, your main tasks will include:

• Assessing the practical barriers and opportunities associated with implementing nature-inclusive farming initiatives.
• Developing tangible, validated Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure biodiversity improvements across two regional case study areas.
• Formulating practical biodiversity strategies and performance metrics tailored for regional farming and agrifood stakeholders.
• Scaling up agricultural biodiversity frameworks so they can be applied to broader landscapes and new contexts.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants interested in this PhD opportunity must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a master’s degree in biology, environmental sciences, or a closely related academic discipline.
• Have a strong, demonstrated interest in biodiversity research, preferably within agricultural or horticultural contexts.
• Be motivated to collaborate within an interdisciplinary research team.
• Possess strong communication skills to effectively engage with both academic researchers and non-academic stakeholders.
• Demonstrate excellent proficiency in both written and spoken English.
• Be willing to travel and conduct fieldwork across agricultural and horticultural regions in the Netherlands.
• Proficiency in speaking Dutch is considered a strong advantage, as the role requires conducting workshops and interviews with Dutch farmers, growers, and regional stakeholders.

Funding and Benefits

This PhD position is a salaried appointment regulated under pay scale P of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Successful candidates will receive the following financial support and employment benefits:

• Monthly Salary: Between € 3.204 and € 4.051 gross per month (based on a full-time 38-hour work week).
• Annual Bonuses: An 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Paid Leave: 232 vacation hours (equivalent to 30.5 days) per year for a full-time schedule, with flexible options to adjust weekly working hours between 36 and 40 hours in consultation with your supervisor.
• Pension Plan: Enrolment in an pension scheme through ABP.
• Home Office & Hybrid Work Support: Access to hybrid working arrangements within the Netherlands, a university-provided laptop, support for setting up a home workspace, and a home-working allowance covering workdays and internet costs.
• Secondary Benefits: Access to paid parental leave, sabbaticals, and an individual choices model allowing staff to trade leave days or salary for benefits such as childcare, a bicycle scheme, or a sports subscription.
• Academic Training: Membership in the Graduate School of Science, providing structured training courses in professional development, research skills, and personal effectiveness.

Eligible Study Areas

This doctoral research opportunity is open to graduates from the following fields:

• Biology
• Environmental Sciences
• Related academic fields focusing on biodiversity, agriculture, or horticulture

Required Documents

When submitting your application, you must upload the following documents and reference vacancy number 16985:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)
• Names and contact details of at least two academic or professional referees

Application Process

To apply for this PhD position, follow these steps:

1. Prepare your CV, a cover letter (no more than 2 pages), and the contact details of at least two referees.
2. Ensure your application documents clearly quote the vacancy number 16985.
3. Submit your complete application exclusively through the official Leiden University online recruitment system before the deadline. Applications sent by email will not be accepted.

For additional information about employment conditions and university departments, you can visit the official Leiden University employment conditions page, the Faculty of Science website, or the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) page.

Application Deadline and Interview Schedule

• Application Deadline: Monday, 23 November 2026 (applications submitted after this date will not be reviewed).
• Interview Dates: First or second week of December 2026. All interviews will be held online to ensure equal access for international and domestic candidates.

Important Information

• Research Environment: The PhD candidate will be based at the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) within Leiden’s Bio Science Park. CML comprises the Departments of Industrial Ecology (CML-IE) and Environmental Biology (CML-EB) and collaborates closely with TU Delft, Erasmus University, and the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Leiden University welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. Female researchers are also invited to participate in the Faculty of Science's Researchers In Science for Equality network (rise.nu). Read more on the Leiden University diversity policy page.
• Selection Committee: Applications will be reviewed by Prof. Peter van Bodegom (Leiden University), Prof. Gerben Messelink (Wageningen University and Research), and Dr. Walrave (Eindhoven University of Technology).
• Enquiries: Questions regarding the position can be directed to Prof. Peter van Bodegom via email at p.m.van.bodegom@cml.leidenuniv.nl.