Bige Tunçer

Wageningen University & Research is offering a fully funded PhD position in biodiversity monitoring for nature-inclusive agrifood transitions in the Netherlands. The project is part of the NWO-KIC RISE initiative (Resilient Integrated Systems for Ecosystem restoration) and sits at the intersection of biodiversity , ecosystem services , biological pest control , insect ecology , functional ecology , and agroecology . The PhD will be hosted at the Laboratory of Entomology and the crop protection team of the Greenhouse Unit in Bleiswijk, within Wageningen University & Research. The research focuses on how biodiversity implementation in two Dutch case areas relates to biological pest control as an ecosystem service, and how key indicators can be validated and used in practice. The project includes biodiversity heat maps, indicator species identification, field and greenhouse experiments, biodiversity monitoring, molecular gut content analyses of key predators, and assessment of biological control capacity with sentinel prey. The successful candidate will work in an interdisciplinary team of four PhD candidates across Wageningen University & Research, Eindhoven University of Technology, Leiden University, and Inholland University of Applied Sciences, with collaboration from farmers, growers, policymakers, regional stakeholders, and civil society partners. The project aims to develop spatial decision-support tools and implementation pathways for nature-inclusive agriculture and horticulture. Supervision is provided by Prof. Gerben Messelink at Wageningen University & Research, with additional cross-university co-supervision from Prof. Bige Tunçer and Dr. Ershad Sarabi Shahryar (Eindhoven University of Technology) and Prof. Peter van Bodegom (Leiden University). The position is embedded in the PE&RC graduate school. Applicants should have an MSc in Biology, Plant Sciences, or a related discipline, with a strong interest in insect ecology and biological pest control, experience in experimental insect research, and good communication and organizational skills. English at C1 level is required; Dutch is preferred. The position offers a salary from €3,059 to €3,881 per month, a tailored training program, and a temporary contract of 18 months with possible extension. Deadline: 31 July 2026 . Apply via the WUR vacancy page with a CV and motivation letter only.