PhD in Optimization of Sustainable Agri-Food Supply Chains under Climate Risk

Are you interested in optimization and data science? Are you motivated to contribute to answering one of the key challenges facing agricultural systems today: how can agricultural supply chains remain resilient in a world of increasing climate uncertainty?

This PhD project offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of climate change, food systems, and advanced optimization modelling. You will develop cutting-edge operations research models and methods to redesign agricultural supply chains that can withstand extreme climate events and shifting agroecological conditions.

Hosted by the chair of Operations Research and Logistics group of Wageningen University, the project focuses on quantifying how climate change impacts the resilience of agri-food supply networks. Building on state-of-the-art models for robust and responsive food supply chains, you will investigate how disruptions such as droughts, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related shocks might affect critical decisions on facility location, storage, processing capacity, procurement, and inventory management.

The project combines:

• stochastic and robust optimization,
• uncertainty modelling,
• large-scale supply chain design,
• and advanced algorithms for solving complex optimization problems.

You will work with real-world case studies to design future-proof supply chain networks for key agricultural products in vulnerable regions.

This position is ideal for candidates interested in:

• operations research and optimization,
• climate adaptation and resilience,
• sustainable food systems,
• mathematical modelling and data-driven decision making,
• creating tangible societal impact through research.

This PhD position is embedded within the Horizon Europe project TIPPING, a large-scale European initiative developing next-generation climate intelligence tools for agriculture. Bringing together 16 partners across 10 EU countries, TIPPING aims to support climate adaptation in the agricultural sector by combining AI-driven climate modelling, agroecological transition analysis, socio-economic assessment, and decision-support systems. The project contributes directly to the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change by helping farmers, businesses, and policymakers anticipate and respond to shifting agroecological conditions and climate-related risks across Europe.

Join us in shaping the next generation of climate-resilient agri-food systems.

Your duties and responsibilities include: 

• Developing advance quantitative models
• Writing scientific articles
• Participating in international project meetings
• Contributing to project activities and deliverables

You will work here

The research is embedded within the chair of Operations Research and Logistics (https://www.wur.nl/en/chair-groups/business-science/operations-research-and-logistics ), which is led by Prof. Sander De Leeuw (https://www.wur.nl/en/persons/profdrir-sljm-sander-de-leeuw ) You will be co-supervised by [Dr. Peter Kirst, Dr. Meike Reusken and Dr. Argyris Kanellopoulos].

You have:

• a strong interest in mathematical modelling, optimization, and quantitative methods;
• analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex real-world problems into quantitative models;
• affinity with data analytics, decision-support systems, and computational modelling;
• motivation to contribute to meaningful research on sustainability, climate resilience, and agri-food systems;
• curiosity and enthusiasm for developing innovative methodologies and interdisciplinary research approaches;
• the ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively within an international research team;
• good programming and data-handling skills (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB, or similar tools) are considered an advantage;
• excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken; 

You also possess: 

• a successfully completed MSc degree in a discipline relevant to the PhD project e.g. operations research, applied mathematics, (bio-systems) engineering, computer and data science;
• experience in quantitative methods like Mathematical Programming, Robust and stochastic optimization;
• knowledge of the agricultural and environmental systems in Northwest Europe;
• meet all entry requirements of the WUR PhD programme;
• availability to start November 2026

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• 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 year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 3.059,- per month rising to € 3.881,-  in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well. 

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. 

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. 

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

For more information about the position, please contact Argyris Kanellopoulos, Associate Professor, argyris.kanellopoulos@wur.nl
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jouke van Oostenbrugge, Corporate Recruiter, via recruitment.ssg@wur.nl

Ready to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total for both documents):

• Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae;
• Motivation letter.

The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

You can apply up to and including 17 August.

Additional information form
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:

PhD in Optimization of Sustainable Agri-Food Supply Chains under Climate Risk – Fill out form

Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

​The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

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