Job description

This project focuses on the question: Which production and economic implications of systems that enhance animal welfare pose a threshold for implementation and how can such thresholds be mitigated? Hence, the choice problem (i.e. decision making) of the farmer is the central issue, in which besides financial considerations, also subjective and non-financial aspects such as farmers’ risk perception and risk attitude will be taken into account. This PhD-project is part of a larger NWO-funded project which includes two other PhDs and a Post-Doc (see: Organization).

First, a thorough conceptualization of the farmers’ decision problem will be carried out which includes on-farm technical and animal housing aspects, as well as financial, non-financial, risk and subjective aspects. This framework will provide (1) the important links and interactions with the other PhD projects and (2) the basis for subsequent quantitative modeling. Thereafter, stochastic bio-economic modeling is used as a tool to reveal the objective quantitative impact of animal welfare enhancing measures in various farm types. Subsequently these results are used for both (1) farmers’ valuation and preference elicitation, and (2) analysis of choice behavior, using conjoint analysis techniques. Both approaches are used interactively within this PhD project and between this project and the other two PhD projects.

The project is embedded in an exiting research environment including beta-gamma integration, gamma scientists, and the most important stakeholders and policy makers in the field of animal welfare.

Requirements

The successful applicant has a MSc in Economics with proven quantitative modeling skills; additional knowledge of animal production, animal housing and animal welfare is a pre.

Applicants with a MSc in Animal or Veterinary Science with a proven interest in economics are also invited to reflect.

Furthermore, the candidate should have an interdisciplinary research attitude to enable scientific communication with all others involved in the research project (i.e. the other two PhDs and the stakeholders). Moreover, the ability to develop, during the research, a multidisciplinary research approach is essential.

Knowledge of English is a pre-requisite, knowledge of Dutch is a pre.

Relevant courses to overcome gaps in knowledge and/or skills will be offered.

Additional information about the full project proposal and the job can be obtained from:
Dr.ir. H.W. Saatkamp (project leader): telephone number: + 31 317 482232; E-mail address: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Organization

Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR – www.wur.nl) is an international renowned knowledge institute in the fields of life sciences and sustainability. It makes an essential contribution to the quality of life through pioneering research and innovative education in the fields of health and nutrition, sustainable agricultural systems and a viable environment.
The PhD-project is part of a NWO-funded project entitled ‘Mobilizing the latent consumer demand for animal-friendly products: an interdisciplinary system approach to support stakeholders’ decision making’. This larger project includes two other PhDs and a Post-Doc, focusing on (1) consumer ethics and choice behavior, (2) business strategies and production chain organization and (3) integration of the three PhD researches and translation into policy support. The PhD research advertised here will focus on the on-farm decision making aspects of enhancement of animal welfare. This research will be done within the broader framework of the entire project. Therefore, interaction and cooperation with the other researchers is a must.

The candidate will participate in the Mansholt Graduate School which offers a comprehensive and challenging PhD programme training its graduate students as highly qualified researchers in the areas of general and applied agricultural economics and other social sciences (www.mansholt.wur.nl/UK/).

Conditions of employment

Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 18 months with a possible extension of 30 months.
Maximum hours per week: 38

Additional conditions of employment:

-         A top-level research environment;

-         Estimated maximum salary per month: € 2042 in the first year rising to € 2612 in the fourth year, as well as generous research funding;

-         A periodic research report system;

-         Efficient supervision by a team of three supervisors;

-         A comprehensive mentoring program;

-         Work in a large multi-disciplinary research project on a subject of large societal relevance;

-         Courses on in-depth topics and soft skills;

-         Wageningen – The Dutch City of Life Sciences situated in Food valley and banking on the river Rhine: a young and lively city with dynamic business activities, successful scientific centre of innovation and an active cultural scene.

Start: preferably autumn 2009.

Additional Information

Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Dr.ir. H.W. Saatkamp,
Telephone number: + 31 317 482232
E-mail address: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 
Additional information about the organization can be obtained through one of the following links:

-         About the organization: www.wur.nl

-         About the department: http://www.bec.wur.nl

Application

You can apply for this job before 15-09-2009 by sending your application to:

Wageningen University, dept. HRM,

J.A. Schot,

Hollandseweg 1,

6706 KN Wageningen,

Nederland.

E-mail address: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number AT MW 2009-23

The short URL code for this job opening is: 00363-3315.

You can use this as a direct link to the job by adding the code to the URL

www.academictransfer.org/