PhD on Nutrient Dynamics from Field to Landscape in Regenerative Agriculture

at  Wageningen University Research

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A PHD FOCUSING ON THE NUTRIENT DYNAMICS FROM FIELD TO LANDSCAPE IN REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE? WORKING WITH PIONEER REGENERATIVE FARMERS ACROSS THE NETHERLANDS, THIS PHD WILL ANALYSE THE NUTRIENT (N, P AND K) AND CARBON FLOWS ACROSS A RANGE OF PIONEER REGENERATIVE FARM SYSTEMS IN THE NETHERLANDS. THESE FARM SYSTEMS WILL INCLUDE DAIRY, HORTICULTURE AND ARABLE FARMING SYSTEMS WITH FOR EXAMPLE AGROFORESTRY OR CUT AND CARRY FERTILISERS, BUT ALSO REGIONAL COOPERATION BETWEEN FARM SYSTEMS OR COOPERATION OF FARMS WITH NATURE CONSERVATION ORGANISATIONS. THE RESEARCH WILL FOCUS ON: WHAT ARE THE NUTRIENT AND CARBON FLOWS ON THESE DIFFERENT FARMING SYSTEMS AND WHERE ARE LEAKS IN THE SYSTEM? WHAT ARE OPTIONS TO OPTIMISE THESE NUTRIENT AND CARBON FLOWS AND BALANCES ON FARM, LANDSCAPE AND REGIONAL LEVEL? AND ASSESS THE NUTRIENT PERFORMANCE, SOIL AND ANIMAL HEALTH, AND DIFFERENT COSTS AND BENEFITS (INCLUDING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES) OF THESE SYSTEMS?

There is steadily growing pressure on agriculture and the entire food system to increase global production while promoting sustainability in terms of farmers’ incomes, soil health, input use, and environmental and climate impact. Regenerative agriculture is a promising avenue to support a healthy, multi-functional and future-proof soil and farming system. Together with regenerative Dutch farmers, ReGeNL is developing a future-proof agricultural sector in which agriculture goes hand in hand with soil health and nature restoration, and a good revenue model for farmers. Between now and 2030, ReGeNL will start the transition to regenerative agriculture with 1000 farmers. The aim is to make regenerative agriculture the new normal by 2040.
This PhD will be one of 19 PhDs being recruited over the next 4 years, to support the monitoring, modelling and valuing of regenerative farms in the Netherlands. This large-scale transdisciplinary project (ReGeNL) will assess which combinations of practices are adopted/recommended for 8 different types of regenerative agriculture systems. The project aims to be an accelerator for the transition to a regenerative, profitable and socially supported agricultural sector. As part of this project, we will monitor and model a range of different regenerative agricultural systems to understand which combinations of practices work for a range of agricultural, socio-economic and environmental outcomes. The outcomes assessed include; soil health, water and air quality, biodiversity and socio-economic goals such as farm income, citizen involvement, animal welfare and much more. Moreover, we will study how performance on these outcomes can be valued in food system governance.

• partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme