1 PhD Student position at the Department of Agricultural economics in Belgium | Ghent University

The MODERNA team of the department of Agricultural Economics of the Ghent University is seeking a highly motivated PhD student for a 4 years position.

MODERNA stands for Modelling and Optimisation of Decisions in Economics, Resources, Nature and Agriculture.

The candidate will conduct scientific research in the EU project ‘Improved Nutrient and Energy Management through Anaerobic Digestion (INEMAD)’. The current biomass and food production relies very heavily on the external input of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, produced by or harvested from fossil sources. The INEMAD project will analyse options to improve the recycling of nutrients and to make food, fibre and biomass production more sustainable. The PhD candidate will focus on the modelling of the different technological options and their economic and environmental impact. The research in this project together with the research from other (European) and consultancy projects in the domain of agricultural and natural resources combined with econometric modelling will eventually result in a PhD at the Ghent Doctoral School. This main task of research will alternate with disseminating your scientific findings and supervising dissertations of Master students.

What we offer you: The position consists of a fulltime, four-year PhD position at Ghent University. We offer you the possibility to work in an academic environment with a dynamic atmosphere at one of the best ranked universities in Belgium (top 3) and worldwide (top 200). Our work is published in top journals such as the European Review of Agricultural Economics, Energy Policy, Journal of Economic Policy Reform, and Food Policy... Furthermore the different European projects gives you access to a broad European network. You get the opportunity to participate in national and international projects, to follow seminars and to present the research in Belgium and abroad to different stakeholders: policy makers, scientists, NGOs…

The Ghent University offers a unique world-class multidisciplinary PhD training programme. This provides students with in-depth, advanced research training, as well as training in professional and transferable skills.

Profile

• You are interested and want to broaden your knowledge about agriculture, nutrient management, technological processes for agro-based conversion of biomass into energy and nutrient recovery and related policy.
• You have some affinity with economic optimization, environmental impact assessment and policy simulation.
• Proficiency in English is a prerequisite.
• Experience with modelling software such as GAMS, R, Matlab, … is an advantage.
• You can work independently, are able to develop your own ideas and know how to communicate them. However you will ask for guidance and feedback whenever needed. You take your responsibility, meet deadlines and are persistent.

How to apply

The application (in English) should include:

• A motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
• curriculum vitae
• contact information (e-mail) of at least one referee

These documents should be sent to Αυτή η διεύθυνση Email προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε. and ann.Αυτή η διεύθυνση Email προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε. before the 15th of February.