PhD Position Organizing Mission-Oriented Digital Innovation Ecosystems for Sustainable Agri-Food Transitions Wageningen • Wageningen University & Research

Are you passionate about sustainable food systems and digital innovation? A unique PhD opportunity awaits to explore organizing Digital Innovation Ecosystems (DIEs) for long-term transitions in the agri-food sector. As part of the project, you'll engage in interdisciplinary research, stakeholder collaboration, and multi-case analysis. Enjoy flexible working hours, sabbatical leave, and access to sports facilities. Join a vibrant international community working on the greenest campus in the Netherlands. Read on to find out why we could be the ideal fit for you.

Your job

Are you passionate about shaping the future of sustainable food systems through digital innovation? Wageningen University & Research is offering a unique PhD opportunity to explore how Digital Innovation Ecosystems (DIEs) can be organized to drive long-term, mission-oriented transitions in the agri-food sector.

This PhD project is part of the Mansholt Graduate School and embedded in Wageningen Economic Research (WSER) group, in collaboration with the Business Management and Organization (BMO) chair. The research will contribute to the development of actionable design principles for organizing DIEs that align digital innovation with sustainability goals.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Conducting design-oriented research to identify and translate core features of DIEs into design principles.
• Performing multi-case analysis of existing DIEs (e.g. SmartAgriHubs, FutureFoods, 4Growth) to assess organizational strategies, structures, processes, and actor configurations.
• Engaging with stakeholders through interviews, workshops, and foresight exercises to validate design principles.
• Applying and refining the DIE framework in real-world settings, including the AgData Partnership.
• Publishing scientific papers and contributing to international academic discourse.
• Participating in educational activities and presenting findings at conferences.

You will work here:
You will be based at Wageningen University, within the BMO chair group and closely connected to WSER. The project is supervised by Dr. Ir. Sjaak Wolfert and contributes to the newly established Special Chair on Digital Innovation Business Ecosystems for Sustainable Agri-Food Systems.
Your qualities

You are:

• Motivated by sustainability challenges and digital transformation.
• Comfortable working in interdisciplinary and multi-actor environments.
• A critical thinker with a proactive and collaborative attitude.

You have:

• A Master’s degree in innovation studies, business administration, information systems, or a related field.
• Affinity with digital technologies and agri-food systems.
• Experience or interest in design-oriented research and qualitative methods.
• Strong analytical and writing skills in English (C1 level).

We offer you

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

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• 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 € 2.753,– per month rising to € 3.519,- in the fourth year in
according to the Collective Labour Agreement Wageningen Research Foundation (scale P). This is
based on a full-time working week of 36 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which
will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with
a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international
and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university"
in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

Coming from abroad
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. We can assist you with any
additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, 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.
Do you want more information?

For more information, please contact Sjaak Wolfert (Senior Scientist Digital Innovation in Agri-Food, via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina.) or Titia Leutscher (interim Team Lead Data Science and Innovation Group).

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jouke van Oostenbrugge, Corporate Recruiter, via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

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.

You can apply until Monday, 3rd of November 2025. 

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.
We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

Wageningen University & Research is a world-leading institution in the domain of healthy food and living environment. The BMO chair group focuses on the management and organization of businesses in the agri-food sector. WSER is a renowned institute coordinating large-scale digital innovation projects in agriculture. Together, we aim to create scientifically grounded and societally impactful solutions for sustainable agri-food systems.

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