Researcher Economic CGE Modeling

Your job
Are you a talented economic CGE modeler and interested in both code writing for improving an in-house simulation model (MAGNET) and using the model in cross-cutting applications? Do you have extensive experience in applied quantitative economic analysis and have you worked on global and country-level analyses of agri-food production, consumption and  trade?

We are looking for a talented colleague with a customer- and market-oriented attitude and strong affinity with applied scientific research. Proven experience in the development and application of CGE models, interest in agri-food production, consumption and trade and ambition to further develop and use our global economic CGE model MAGNET is a must. You should have the capability to execute outstanding independent research projects as result-oriented team player.

Your most important activities in doing so will be:

• contributing to further development and maintenance of the global CGE model MAGNET, as a tool for scenario analyses assessing implications of new policies such as the EU’s Green Deal, and other changes in the economic and natural environment including biodiversity, circularity, dietary shifts and ecosystem services;
• conducting research activities on simulating and assessing cross-cutting impacts of agri-food, trade, climate change, bioenergy and circular economy policies on the global economy;
• within your projects, establishing and maintaining national- and international-level contacts with research institutes, and public and private sector organisations such as the EC Horizon Europe, Dutch Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs, EC JRC, EC Directorates-General, CGIAR, OECD and UN organizations;
• alongside your research, further expand your network in both the public and private sectors to generate new opportunities for continuation of research in your area.

Your qualities

We ask you to have:

• a PhD in economics with a profound knowledge on the macroeconomic interaction between policies for sustainable global food and biomass systems, and specific knowledge on dietary transitions, circular economy policies and the quantification of global food loss and waste; however a broader interest in also other domains would be welcomed
• mastering R, Gempack, Power BI and MathLab, proven experience in development and application of CGE modelling tools;
• customer-orientation, communication and presentation skills, efficient time and project management, team work and networking skills, proposal development
• proficiency in spoken and written English

You will work here

Team International Policy

You will be part of Wageningen Economic Research, team International Policy. This is an international team (eight nationalities) of just over twenty highly motivated researchers with expertise in policy and modeling (AGMEMOD and MAGNET). From a macro-economic perspective the team aims to contribute to global challenges like climate change, circularity, biodiversity, nutrition and health. The team mainly works for national and European governments.

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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more, per week;
• 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 December bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between €3.088,- and €5.737,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10-11). Depending on your (relevant) work experience, a starting scale may be used .

Additionally, a contract for 0,8 FTE can be discussed.  You will initially receive a one-year contract, which will be extended to an open-ended contract upon in mutual enthusiasm. 

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

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.

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. Wageningen University & Research’s International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, 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 about this position, please contact Corine van As, +31 317 481 823 or [email protected].

For more information about the procedure, please contact Jeanine van t Veer-Drost, (Corporate recruiter) via [email protected]

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 5 February 2024. 

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page . A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

We are

Wageningen University and Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

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