PhD: Behavioural & Economic Modelling for Pest Risk Management

About the Role

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) invites applications for a fully funded PhD position titled “Behavioural and Economic Modelling To Support Systems-Based Pest Risk Management”. This project addresses the growing threat of plant pests in European agriculture, driven by global trade, climate change, and shifting farming practices. The research aims to integrate behavioural science, agricultural economics, and systems modelling to develop innovative, cost-effective pest risk management strategies.

The PhD will be embedded in the EU Horizon Europe project PhytoPRISM – a platform for supporting a systems approach in pest risk management – which unites 15 leading research partners from seven EU countries. The position is hosted by the Business Economics (BEC) group at Wageningen University, led by Prof. Alfons Oude Lansink.

Research Objectives

• Identify and analyse behavioural drivers influencing stakeholder decisions in pest risk management.
• Assess economic trade-offs between alternative phytosanitary measures (prevention, eradication, containment).
• Examine how economic incentives, institutional constraints, and policy instruments shape stakeholder behaviour and system efficiency.
• Integrate behavioural responses into pest risk and bio-economic models to enhance decision support.

Requirements

Essential Qualifications

• A recently obtained Master’s degree in (agricultural) economics or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated affinity with agricultural production systems and European agri-food value chains.
• Strong quantitative skills and interest in statistical modelling or simulation approaches.
• Experience with R, STATA, Python, or similar software.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team.

Desirable (Advantageous)

• Experience with behavioural research and/or systems modelling.

What We Offer

• Fully funded PhD position with a gross monthly salary starting at €3,059 (first year) and rising to €3,881 (fourth year) under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU, scale P), based on 38 hours per week.
• Temporary contract for 18 months, extended for the project duration upon satisfactory performance.
• Excellent pension scheme and a tailored course program.
• Work at the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, with an international and open environment.
• Support for international employees: visa application assistance, advice on housing, banking, dual career programs, and schooling.
• Potential eligibility for a tax exemption on part of the salary during the first five years in the Netherlands (for certain categories of international staff).

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the online application system on the Wageningen University & Research vacancy page. Only applications received through this channel will be considered. Please include the following documents:

• A maximum of two reference letters (each not exceeding the specified length).
• Grades and transcripts are not required at this stage and will not be considered.

Application deadline: 19 August 2026.
First interviews scheduled for: 25 August 2026.

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Alfons Oude Lansink or Dr. Monique Mourits. For procedural questions, contact the Corporate Recruiter, Jouke van Oostenbrugge.

Wageningen University & Research values diversity and inclusion. The university’s mission is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.” WUR is a leading international organization in the domain of healthy food and living environment, employing around 7,600 staff and educating over 13,100 students. No employment agencies, please.

Original vacancy