Postdoctoral Position in Regenerative Agriculture Monitoring at Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands (2026)
The position focuses on the scientific coordination and implementation of monitoring plans for participating farms. The researcher will work across Action Line 2 (AL2), which supports farmers in their transition, and Action Line 3 (AL3), which focuses on scientific research and monitoring of regenerative agriculture.
This role is particularly suited to researchers with a PhD in an agricultural or soil-monitoring-related field, experience in large-scale monitoring programmes, and a proven ability to manage scientific projects and collaborate with farmers and other stakeholders.
An important requirement is Dutch language proficiency. Applicants who cannot communicate in Dutch will not be considered.
Postdoctoral Position Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Position Title | Post-doc (ReGeNL Lines 2 & 3): Monitoring Outcomes of Regenerative Agriculture |
| Institution | Wageningen University & Research (WUR) |
| Research Group | Soil Biology Group |
| Research Programme | National Growth Fund – ReGeNL |
| Research Area | Regenerative Agriculture, Soil Monitoring, Agricultural Systems |
| Location | Wageningen, Netherlands |
| Position Type | Postdoctoral Research Position |
| Contract Duration | 6 months, according to the detailed offer section |
| Salary | €3,706–€5,760 gross per month |
| Working Hours | 32–37 hours per week |
| Full-Time Basis | 38 hours per week |
| Required Degree | PhD |
| Language Requirements | Dutch and English |
| Application Deadline | 7 December 2026 |
| Research Contact | Asma Balfaqih |
| Official Link | Click Here |
About Wageningen University & Research
Wageningen University & Research is an internationally recognized university and research organization specializing in life sciences, food, agriculture, and the living environment.
Its mission is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.”
WUR brings together Wageningen University and specialized research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation to address important challenges related to healthy food and sustainable living environments.
The organization has approximately 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 full-time equivalents), 13,100 students, and more than 150,000 participants in lifelong learning programmes.
The successful candidate will work at WUR's Wageningen campus in an international and collaborative research environment.
About the Soil Biology Group
The position is based in the Soil Biology Group, which studies soil organisms and their contributions to soil quality and functioning.
The group's mission is:
“To explore the potential of life to increase the quality of soil.”
Its research examines how soil life influences soil functioning across different spatial scales, from microorganisms to global ecosystems.
The group investigates:
Interactions between soil organisms and their environment.
Soil biological processes in agricultural ecosystems.
The influence of land management on soil life.
Soil processes at the rhizosphere and detritusphere levels.
Management-oriented research at plot and field scales.
Farm-, landscape-, and regional-scale research relevant to agricultural policy.
The group aims to connect fundamental soil biology research with practical approaches that improve soil quality and support sustainable land management.
About the ReGeNL Research Programme
The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to ReGeNL, a National Growth Fund programme focused on supporting the transition of Dutch agriculture towards regenerative farming.
The programme aims to support 1,000 farms across the Netherlands in adopting regenerative agricultural practices and monitoring the outcomes of this transition.
The advertised position connects two important components of the programme:
Action Line 2 (AL2): Supporting the transition of 1,000 farmers
This action line focuses on supporting farmers as they move towards regenerative agricultural systems.
Action Line 3 (AL3): Scientific research and monitoring
This action line focuses on the scientific assessment of regenerative agriculture, including work package 3A, which addresses measuring and monitoring regenerative outcomes.
The postdoctoral researcher will help bridge these activities by coordinating the scientific monitoring of the 1,000 farms and ensuring continuity between the farmer-focused and research-focused activities.
Key Responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Researcher
The successful candidate will take responsibility for the scientific coordination of monitoring activities across the 1,000 farms participating in ReGeNL.
Main responsibilities include:
Developing monitoring plans: Lead the development and implementation of monitoring plans for participating farms across the Netherlands.
Coordinating scientific monitoring: Oversee the scientific coordination of monitoring activities under Action Line 2.
Connecting research activities: Bridge ongoing activities between AL2 and AL3, particularly work package 3A on measuring and monitoring regenerative agriculture.
Working with project coordinators: Collaborate with the Line 3 coordinator, the Line 3A scientific coordinator, and colleagues working on AL2.
Engaging with farmers: Interact directly with farmers to support the successful implementation of the monitoring programme.
Collaborating with advisors and industry partners: Maintain communication with agricultural advisors and industry stakeholders involved in the ReGeNL programme.
Managing project activities: Contribute to project leadership, coordination, and delivery of programme objectives.
Supporting programme deliverables: Help ensure that monitoring activities are implemented effectively and that the programme achieves its intended objectives.
This position requires strong organizational skills because the researcher will coordinate multiple activities involving scientists, farmers, advisors, and other societal stakeholders.
Eligibility Criteria and Required Qualifications
Wageningen University & Research is seeking an experienced researcher with a background in agriculture or soil monitoring and a strong record of scientific project management.
Required qualifications
Applicants should have:
A PhD with an agricultural or soil-monitoring-related background.
Working knowledge of data management.
Experience with digital tools.
Knowledge of statistical analyses for large-scale assessments.
A proven record in scientific project management.
Demonstrated experience interacting with diverse societal stakeholders.
The ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
The ability to deliver results within short deadlines.
The capacity to work effectively under pressure in a dynamic project environment.
Language requirements
Candidates must have excellent spoken communication and writing skills in both:
Dutch
English
Dutch proficiency is mandatory
The vacancy explicitly states that applications from candidates who do not have the required Dutch language skills will not be considered.
Experience applicants should demonstrate
The university encourages candidates to provide concrete examples of their experience, both within and outside academia.
Applicants should highlight examples of:
Coordinating agricultural or soil-monitoring activities.
Managing scientific projects and delivering project milestones.
Working with farmers and agricultural advisors.
Collaborating with industry partners and other societal stakeholders.
Managing large datasets and conducting statistical analyses.
Communicating scientific information to different audiences.
Salary, Contract, and Employment Benefits
The vacancy advertises a competitive gross monthly salary ranging from:
€3,706–€5,760 per month
The salary is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours and follows the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU), scale 10. The actual salary depends on the candidate's experience.
Contract duration: Important clarification
The detailed offer section states that WUR offers a temporary contract for six months.
However, the opening description refers to the position as a one-year role. These two statements are inconsistent. Applicants should contact the university to confirm the actual contract duration before accepting an offer.
Additional employment benefits
Wageningen University & Research offers several employment benefits, including:
Sabbatical leave.
Study leave.
Partially paid parental leave.
Flexible working hours to support work–life balance.
Access to campus sports facilities for a small fee.
A fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%.
An excellent pension scheme.
Opportunities for professional development.
Opportunities for internal career development and mobility.
The position is based on WUR's green and innovative campus in Wageningen, within an international and open working environment.
Opportunities for International Applicants
Wageningen University & Research has a large international community and provides support for employees relocating to the Netherlands.
The university offers assistance with Dutch immigration procedures and visa applications for employees and, where applicable, their families.
Additional support may include:
Information about housing in Wageningen.
Assistance with opening a bank account.
Dual-career programme information.
Guidance about schooling and childcare.
Relocation advice through the WUR Welcome Center.
Information about possible tax benefits for eligible international employees.
However, international applicants must remember that Dutch language proficiency is an essential selection requirement for this particular position. International recruitment support does not remove that requirement.
Required Application Documents
The vacancy asks applicants to submit an application through the official WUR recruitment website.
Although the announcement does not provide a detailed document checklist, candidates should prepare an application that demonstrates their suitability for the position.
Relevant materials should include:
Curriculum Vitae (CV): Highlight your PhD, agricultural or soil-monitoring experience, project management record, data management skills, and relevant professional experience.
Motivation Letter: Explain your interest in regenerative agriculture and the ReGeNL programme. Demonstrate how your experience matches the scientific coordination and stakeholder engagement responsibilities.
Examples of relevant experience: Provide concrete examples of project management, farmer engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and large-scale monitoring work within or outside academia.
Submit the application using the university's online recruitment system. The vacancy states that applications submitted through other channels will not be considered.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must apply through the official Wageningen University & Research vacancy page.
Follow these steps:
Visit the official WUR careers website.
Find the vacancy titled “Post-doc (ReGeNL lines 2 & 3): Monitoring outcomes of regenerative agriculture.”
Review the eligibility requirements, particularly the mandatory Dutch language requirement.
Prepare your CV and application materials, highlighting your project management and stakeholder engagement experience.
Complete the online application form and upload the requested documents.
Submit your application before the closing date.
Important: Only applications submitted through the WUR website will be considered.
Official Application Link: https://www.wur.nl/en/vacancy/post-doc-regenl-lines-2-3-monitoring-outcomes-regenerative-agriculture-0
Contact Information
For questions about the research position and project responsibilities, contact:
For questions about the recruitment procedure, contact:
Application Deadline
The vacancy contains two slightly different deadline references:
The detailed application instructions state that candidates can apply up to and including 7 December 2026.
The vacancy summary lists 8 December 2026.
To avoid missing the opportunity, applicants should use 7 December 2026 as the safe submission deadline and verify the closing date on the official recruitment page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where is this postdoctoral position located?
The position is based at Wageningen University & Research in Wageningen, Netherlands.
2. What is the main research focus?
The position focuses on developing and implementing monitoring plans to assess the outcomes of regenerative agriculture across 1,000 farms in the Netherlands.
3. What is the ReGeNL programme?
ReGeNL is a National Growth Fund programme supporting the transition of Dutch farms towards regenerative agriculture. The programme connects farmer support activities with scientific research and monitoring.
4. What academic qualification is required?
Applicants must hold a PhD with an agricultural or soil-monitoring-related background.
5. Is Dutch language proficiency required?
Yes. Excellent spoken and written Dutch is essential, alongside English proficiency. Applications from candidates without the required Dutch skills will not be considered.
6. What technical skills are required?
Candidates should have working knowledge of data management, digital tools, and statistical analyses for large-scale assessments.
7. Is project management experience necessary?
Yes. A proven record in scientific project management is required. Applicants should provide concrete examples of their project management experience.
8. What is the salary?
The advertised gross monthly salary is between €3,706 and €5,760 for a full-time working week of 38 hours, depending on experience.
9. How long is the contract?
The detailed offer section states six months, while the opening description refers to a one-year position. Candidates should confirm the actual contract duration with WUR.
10. What is the application deadline?
The detailed instructions state 7 December 2026, while the vacancy summary lists 8 December 2026. Applicants should verify the date on the official website and aim to submit by 7 December.
11. Can international candidates apply?
International candidates may apply if they meet the eligibility criteria, including the mandatory Dutch and English language requirements. WUR provides immigration and relocation support for eligible international employees.
Final Thoughts
The Postdoctoral Researcher position at Wageningen University & Research offers an opportunity to contribute to the transition towards regenerative agriculture in the Netherlands through the ReGeNL programme.
Unlike a conventional laboratory-focused postdoctoral role, this position places substantial emphasis on scientific coordination, large-scale agricultural monitoring, project management, and direct engagement with farmers and societal stakeholders.
Candidates with experience in agricultural monitoring, soil science, data management, and interdisciplinary project leadership may find the position relevant. However, the Dutch language requirement is a decisive eligibility condition and should not be overlooked.
Before applying, candidates should also clarify the discrepancy in the advertised contract duration and confirm the final application deadline through the official vacancy page.
Official application: Apply through the Wageningen University & Research careers website.
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