Social sustainability in agri-food supply chains is often approached through risk-focused lenses (e.g., labor rights and working conditions). However, supply chains can also generate positive societal value by enabling market access, (informal) employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for underserved communities. Because these different impacts are distributed across many interconnected actors and are often difficult to quantify, it is still a challenge with the current methods such as social-Life Cycle Assessment (s-LCA) to understand and to model social aspects of sustainability at the level of the overall supply chain.
This PhD project will contribute to socially sustainable supply chain management by investigating how negative and positive social impacts of initiatives aimed at improving social sustainability influence and shape social outcomes over time and across supply chain tiers.
To analyze this problem, the project will use agent-based modeling to represent supply chains in which each link (agent) can adapt to incentives, constraints, and interventions, and interacts with other agents for a resulting system outcome. Assessment methods like s-LCA will be used to quantify the relevant social impacts for the system’s outcomes. This integrative approach allows for a systematic analysis of how social sustainability outcomes evolve in agri-food supply chains and informs which strategies lead to positive social outcomes.
You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair Operations Research and Logistics, which is led by Prof. Sander de Leeuw. You will be co-supervised by dr. Ellen Slegers and dr. Rodrigo Romero-Silva.
The group consists of 14 academics and a brilliant team of PhD students focusing their research on operations and supply chain issues in food and bio-based supply chains. In addition to traditional efficiency goals, our research also aims to improve sustainability, product quality and safety, as well as health and nutrition. Current examples of research are the design and operation of circular supply chains, the management of disruptions in food supply chains, the connection between changing diets and sustainable supply chain design, the operations in omni-channel retail, the management of not-for-profit supply chains, and supply chain planning to minimize waste.
We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate that has
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A successfully completed MSc degree in a relevant discipline such as Operations/Supply Chain Management, Industrial/Systems Engineering & Management, Complex Systems Science or similar study with a focus on quantitative methods for systems analysis and design;
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Demonstrable experience in agent-based modelling in a relevant topic;
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Ability to translate qualitative, real-world supply chain social impacts and quantitative sustainability assessment outcomes into a model;
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Knowledge and experience how to use a systems thinking approach for real-world impact, grounded in modeling;
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Eagerness to engage in multidisciplinary research and social constructs;
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We are NOT looking for a candidate that wants to focus on supply chain optimization;
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Pro: experience with life cycle modelling, specifically LCA or S-LCA.
For this position, your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.
For the application, you need to fill out an additional information form below, where you will answer questions related to your fitness to this project.
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Name study of MSc degree, plus graduation date, university.
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In which application area did you use ABM? How did you apply ABM in that area?
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Do you have experience studying supply chains? Please provide some details
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Explain your interest in social impacts in supply chains.
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
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Partially paid parental leave;
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working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
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there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
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a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
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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 € 3.059,- per month rising to € 3.881,- 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.
We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.
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. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs 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.
For more information about the position, please contact Prof. Ellen Slegers, via email: [email protected]
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Noorien Abbas, Corporate Recruiter, via [email protected]
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):
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Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae;
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Motivation letter.
The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.
You can apply up to and including 1 July 2026. The first interviews will be scheduled in the first week of July. The tentative starting date will be in September 2026.
Additional information form
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:
PhD: Supply Chain Modeling with Agent-Based Simulation – Fill out form
Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.
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.
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, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 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 the video below 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.
