1 PhD position on Food Waste in Netherlands | Wageningen UR (University & Research centre)

We are looking for a PhD candidate with interdisciplinary research skills. Reduction of food loss is complex because of the multiple factors underlying the problem. Explorative studies have provided insights in amounts of food waste in catering settings and at households, but much less is known about the influence of - food product characteristics, processing facilities, food handler characteristics, and organisational/social environment - on food rejection behaviour and food waste. The aim of the study is to identify and model major determinants of food rejection behaviour in different food preparation settings (institutional, domestic) in order to develop effective interventions strategies at different system levels (micro, meso & macro) to reduce food waste. The PhD student is expected to write a systematic review, to develop and validate an analytical framework to systematically analyse cases and perform simulation studies, and to design intervention strategies for food waste reduction. The candidate should have skills in the Dutch language because of the character of the cases.

Requirements

For this position, we request an MSc degree in food science area with a strong affinity for consumer science, skills in mathematics and/or modeling, or an MSc degree in management & consumer sciences with a strong affinity for food technology, and with skills in mathematics.

Conditions of employment

We offer you a temporary position for a period of 1.5 years with extension of 2.5 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2083,- in the first year rising up to € 2664,- per month in the fourth year. We not only offer a competitive salary but also good (study) leave and a pension of the ABP Pension Fund.

Contract type: Temporary, Onbekend

Application Deadline: 21th of January 2014.