PhD Identifying and scaling the effective elements in HPAI prevention policies and interventions

Location:Wageningen
Hours:38
Function
Are you interested in one health and the role of human behaviour in disease transmission? Do you want to be part of a highly interdisciplinary research project aimed at making the Indonesian health care system more resilient against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and work together with its stakeholders (public authorities health care and wildlife workers, farmers and community members)? This PhD position might be what you are looking for!

The Business Economics Group and Health and Society Group, in collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University and Indonesian Universities,  are looking for a PhD researcher to work in the NOW-Merian funded project “A whole-of-society approach to health syste resiliency and pandemic preparedness in Indonesia”. Working in this project, you will as PhD researcher conduct research on developing an agent-based model simulating the HPAI intervention and involving relevant actors in the poultry value chain. Research will consist of collecting relevant information from literature and stakeholders, building an HPAI transmission model and building the agent-based simulation model.  

You work with a consortium of researchers in the Netherlands and Indonesia and intermittent travel to Indonesia is expected. Throughout the project, feedback from stakeholders like poultry farmers, citizens, governmental officials and public health workers provide guidance about how to develop the models.

The research is embedded within the Business Economics Group with Prof. Henk Hogeveen as promotor. You will be co-supervised by dr. Kristina Thompson (Health and Society Group) and Prof. Arjan Stegeman (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University).
Function Requirements
  • A completed (or about to be completed) MSc degree in data science, computer science, econometrics, animal sciences or related field.
  • Strong scientific writing skills;
  • Strong quantitative research skills, particularly in simulation modelling;
  • An affinity with veterinary epidemiology;
  • Motivation to collaborate in an interdisciplinary research team;
  • Knowledge of Indonesian language (Bahasa) is a pre.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.

You will work here
The Business Economics Group (BEC) holds a strong position in interdisciplinary research with key areas, such as food supply chain economics, bio-economic modelling, and economics of animal health, food safety and plant health. General information about the Business Economics Group can be found on https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/chair-groups/social-sciences/business-economics-group.htm 

The Health and Society Group focuses on the sociological study of public health, health promotion and health protection, in resource poor and resource rich contexts, with emphasis on (1) the social, natural and built environment, and (2) the role of actors and social institutions in advancing health and wellbeing Health and Society - WUR
Working conditions
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
  • sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
  • working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
  • the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
  • 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 December 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 € 2.901,- per month rising to € 3.707,-  in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 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.
Contactinformation
For more information about this position, please contact Prof.dr.ir. Henk Hogeveen, henk.hogeveen@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Jouke van Oostenbrugge, Corporate Recruiter via recruitment.ssg@wur.nl.

Do you want 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.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including July 21st, 2025. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on Wednesday, July 24th and Thursday, July 25th.

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.
Organization
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.


We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.
Vacancy details: PhD Identifying and scaling the effective elements in HPAI prevention policies and interventions at Wageningen University & Research