Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: Modelling Crop Growth and Resource Use – Wageningen University, Netherlands
Quick Overview
Wageningen University is offering a PhD position to develop mechanistic crop models for innovative greenhouse production systems. This project is part of the Greenhouses in Transition project, bringing together leading universities and industry partners from the Netherlands and the United States. You’ll model young plant production in vertical farms, source-sink relationships in single-truss tomatoes, and integrate crop and greenhouse models to evaluate resource use.
Experience Level: MSc in Plant Sciences, Biosystems Engineering, Computational Biology, or related field
Best Fit: Candidates with process-based modelling and programming experience
Deadline: September 7, 2026
Key Details
| Position | PhD Researcher |
| Project | Modelling Crop Growth and Resource Use |
| University | Wageningen University |
| Location | Wageningen, Netherlands |
| Qualification | MSc in Plant Sciences, Biosystems Engineering, Computational Biology, or related field |
| Salary | €3,204 – €4,051 per month |
| Duration | 4 years (18 months temporary, extended upon performance) |
| Deadline | September 7, 2026 |
| Apply Via | Wageningen University application portal |
| Contact | Dr. Ana Cristina Zepeda – Cristina.zepeda@wur.nl / Dr. Ep Heuvelink – ep.heuvelink@wur.nl |
Project Description
The greenhouse sector is changing rapidly. New cultivation systems, such as single-truss tomatoes, hybrid systems of greenhouses with vertical farms, and semi-closed greenhouses, have the potential to increase resource use efficiency. Managing and optimizing these new cultivation systems requires crop models that can predict plant growth, crop yield, and resource use under highly dynamic conditions.
This PhD is part of the Greenhouses in Transition project, which brings together leading universities (University of Wyoming, Texas A&M, University of Kentucky, TU Delft, University of Twente) and industry partners (Ridder Group, AMS Institute, Crop King USA, Bosch growers, Addium) from the Netherlands and the United States.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and extend process-based crop models describing physiological processes (carbon partitioning, organ growth, reproductive development, harvest index) under dynamic environments
- Design and conduct targeted climate chamber and greenhouse experiments to improve model parameterization and validate physiological mechanisms
- Integrate crop and greenhouse models to evaluate resource-use efficiency of innovative greenhouse production systems
- Collaborate with researchers, growers, and industry partners within the Greenhouses in Transition consortium
Who Should Apply
This position is best for candidates with strong modelling and quantitative skills.
Required:
- MSc in Plant Sciences, Biosystems Engineering, Computational Biology, or related field
- Experience with process-based modelling, data analysis, programming (Python, MATLAB, or R)
- Interest in crop physiology and translating physiological knowledge into mechanistic crop models
- Collaborative attitude, curiosity, and ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams
- Excellent communication skills and good proficiency in English
What They Offer
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Salary | €3,204 – €4,051 per month |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Location | Wageningen, Netherlands |
| Year-end Bonus | 8.3% |
| Pension | Excellent pension scheme |
| Parental Leave | Partially paid |
| International Support | Visa assistance, housing support, tax exemption eligibility |
Application Tips
- Highlight modelling experience – Process-based modelling, programming (Python, MATLAB, R).
- Show crop physiology knowledge – Understanding of plant growth and resource use.
- Emphasize data analysis skills – Quantitative analysis of biological systems.
- Complete mandatory form – Link provided in the job posting.
- Apply before deadline – September 7, 2026.
How to Apply
Apply through the Wageningen University application portal.
Required documents (max 3 pages total):
- CV (max 2 pages)
- Motivation letter (max 1 page)
- Application Deadline: September 7, 2026
- Interviews: September 22 or 23, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the qualification requirement? MSc in Plant Sciences, Biosystems Engineering, Computational Biology, or related field.
- What is the salary? €3,204 – €4,051 per month.
- What is the duration? 4 years.
- What is the project focus? Modelling crop growth and resource use in innovative greenhouse systems.
- What is the deadline? September 7, 2026.
