PhD position: Society-Environment Interactions 1246 views

The ‘Society-Environment Interactions’ Research Group, Division of Bio-economics at KU Leuven (Belgium), offers a PhD position on the potential of citizen science for promoting sustainable food production and consumption in Flanders. This PhD position is part of the VIB Grand Challenge project on “Catching rhizobia to introduce high protein containing soybean for a sustainable agriculture in Flanders”.

About the position and project:

• This PhD researcher would mainly be involved in a citizen science project that aims to catch rhizobia in an attempt to introduce high protein containing soybean for sustainable agriculture in Flanders.
• The project focuses on rhizobia, the doctoral researcher will be involved in collecting and analyzing data from citizens that participate in the project, and thus not on rhizobia itself.
• Project title: Catchingrhizobia to introduce high protein containing soybean for a sustainableagriculture in Flanders.
• The overall aim of the overarching project is to acquire endogenous rhizobia from Flemish soils, able to efficiently nodulate soybean and to raise public awareness about the benefits of legumes and microbes for a more sustainable agriculture.
• The project will engage 1000 citizens by letting them grow soybeans in their gardens to find nodules and characterize phenotypic plant traits, and by letting them participate in surveys to gather specific information on their garden management.

Requirements:

• Applicant must hold Master’s degree in Bio-Science Engineering, Geography, Economics or a Master’s degree with great affinity with sustainable food production and consumption.
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative socio-economic survey methodologies (e.g.quantitative surveys, focus group discussions and/or field experiments) would be an advantage.
• A background in statistical and econometric methods would be a plus.
• Interested to work in an international and multicultural environment around agriculture and food.
• Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing, in English and Dutch.

How to apply:

Apply online