PhD in Economics of Native Species Production and Rural Development in the Cerrado at Wageningen, Netherlands

About the Position

Wageningen is recruiting a PhD researcher to study the economics of native-species production and rural development in Brazil’s Cerrado. The project focuses on livelihoods, biodiversity and value chains in the MATOPIBA region.

Research Position Overview

Combine household and farm surveys with geospatial information and econometric analysis. Investigate how native-species production relates to rural incomes and land-use decisions, working with the Forest and Nature Conservation Policy group.

Research Areas

• Cerrado
• Biodiversity economics
• Rural development
• Econometrics

Funding and Duration

Employment and financial support

Component	Details
Position	PhD researcher
Salary	€3,204–€4,051 gross per month for a 38-hour working week, increasing with doctoral year.
Duration	Four years, full-time (38 hours per week): initial 18-month contract, extended subject to satisfactory progress.
Programme / host support	Salaried doctoral employment in the host research group identified in the official vacancy.
Benefits	8.3% year-end bonus and pension arrangements; other benefits follow the university employment conditions.

Eligibility and Requirements

Academic preparation and appointment conditions

Component	Details
Applicant eligibility	Portuguese proficiency and readiness for Brazilian fieldwork are essential; appointment is subject to applicable recruitment and immigration conditions.
Academic preparation	MSc in agricultural economics, development economics, agricultural science or a related field.
Research skills	Quantitative and econometric analysis using R, Stata or Python; field data collection. GIS experience is an advantage.
Language	C1-level Portuguese and English are required.

Application dates

Recruitment dates and location

Component	Details
Recruitment status	Open when verified against the official source
Deadline	28 October 2026
Start date	February 2027.
Location	Wageningen, Netherlands

Contact

Questions about this position, eligibility or the application process should be raised through the contact channel given on the official announcement page (see the Official Link section above). Always quote the position reference in your message so the admissions or HR team can route your enquiry quickly.

Important Notes

• Application deadline: 28 October 2026 - late or incomplete applications are normally not considered.
• Listing details were recorded from the official source at the time of publication; always confirm the latest requirements on the official page before applying.
• Prepare the documents listed in the eligibility and application sections before starting the online form - transcripts, CV and references take the longest to collect.

How to Apply

• CV: maximum two pages.
• Motivation letter: maximum one page; keep the combined application within three pages.
• Complete the supplementary application form linked in the vacancy.

Submit through the application system linked from the official vacancy. Follow its current document and translation instructions.

Selection and Contact

Interviews are planned for 4–5 November 2026.

Research contact: Jorge Sellare and Verina Ingram.

About Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research works across food, agriculture, environment and society. The vacancy identifies the specific chair group and supervisory team responsible for this project.

Official Link

Official vacancy reviewed on 15 October 2026. The employer’s current notice governs application requirements and employment terms.

Read the official vacancy and application instructions

Application guides

• How to Email a PhD Supervisor: 7 Templates and Practical Tips
• How to Read a PhD Job Advert: Funding, Eligibility and Application Steps

English language requirements

As an employed Dutch PhD vacancy, this position does not ask for an IELTS or TOEFL certificate; your English is assessed through your application and an interview in English. Note that the project involves extensive fieldwork in Brazil, so advanced Portuguese is a mandatory requirement alongside English.