Engineering Doctorate ‘Design for AgriFood and Ecological Systems’

'Design for AgriFood and Ecological Systems' at Wageningen University & Research is a two-year post-master designer programme which leads to an Engineering Doctorate (EngD).

What will robots on the farm of the future look like? And how can smart ecoducts facilitate the movement of wild animals? Answers to these questions will be provided by EngD students of the programme 'Designs for Agrifood & Ecological Systems'. A post-masters programme specifically focussed on designing for a sustainable future.

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This programme has a focus on (technological) design in industry and society and will provide you with the scientific background, design skills and personal development required to become one of the senior (technical) managers of the future.

You will be able to create high-value, creative, and innovative designs to improve sustainability in an independent and interdisciplinary way under the supervision of the university and experts outside academia. The final result will be a design that will, directly or indirectly, contribute to increasing the sustainability of agri- or horticulture, livestock farming, or the living environment in general.

EngD programme overview education and design

The EngD programme is tailor made and drawn up in close consultation with external organisations. The programme offers academic research and design in a professional context by combining a training component (60 ECTS) and a supervised design assignment (60 ECTS).



In the first year the emphasis will be on the course component. The amount of time spent on the design assignment will increase over time.
The EngD programme will lead to an Engineering Doctorate (EngD).

The courses in the educational component help you to strengthen your professional and scientific development by providing the necessary background needed for the design assignment. In the design assignment, you will spend your time working on a challenging and innovative (technological) design project. You will transfer the knowledge gained into innovations in industry and society. Throughout the project, you will be supervised by university staff and specialists from outside academia. This ensures support in the areas of scientific knowledge, practical design and project management.

EngD students

The EngD programme is open for a wide range of (technical) MSc graduates. Pivotal is that you have the right background for the specific design project, you have demonstrated affinity with technological designs and your intrinsic motivation.

Combine learning and earning

The designer programme 'Design for AgriFood and Ecological Systems' of Wageningen University & Research can be a stepping stone for a successful career in industry or business.

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If you are accepted into the EngD programme you are appointed as a designer candidate for the duration of 24 months and receive a salary, either from the university or from the company you're employed at. In both cases you'll combine learning and earning throughout the programme. 

Employed at the university

The salary you will receive is linked to the collective labour agreement of the Dutch universities (CAO-NU, TOIO scale) and will be € 2.600 gross per month. Additionally Wageningen University & Research provides excellent facilities for professional and personal development, a holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus.

Employed at a company

In case you are already employed at a company during the EngD programme, the company is responsible for your working conditions and salary. You will have the same rights as candidates that are employed by the university regarding supervision and following courses.

Interested? Join our programme!

Have you finished your Master's and are you interested in technological designs? Do you want to continue studying and get paid while doing so? Then the designer programme 'Design for AgriFood and Ecological Systems' might be what you are looking for!

You can also enroll if you are already working in an organisation and would like to pursue an Engineering Doctorate. With the correct background, you can smoothly enrol in the programme. Candidates can only start when a project is available and funding guaranteed.

If you are interested in this programme please send an email to eng.degree@wur.nl with your contact information and you will receive updated information.