Researcher Economics of EU Common Agricultural Policy

Your job

Are you an experienced economist who wants to help shape future reforms of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and support decision-making within the European Commission and Dutch government? As senior researcher quantitative agricultural economics (EU Common Agricultural Policy, CAP) you will lead high-impact analytical research that supports evidence-based policymaking at both Dutch and European levels.

Using advanced economic modelling and quantitative analysis, you will assess agricultural policy options related to CAP reform, climate and biodiversity targets, farm income support, food security, and agricultural competitiveness. Your analysis will generate insights that contribute to resilient food systems, improved nutrition, more secure farm incomes, and the long-term sustainability of European agriculture.

You will join the International Policy team of Wageningen Social & Economic Research (WSER), part of Wageningen University & Research, one of Europe's leading institutes for applied socioeconomic research in agriculture and food systems. In this role, you will acquire and lead research projects, collaborate with multidisciplinary experts, and engage directly with senior stakeholders in the European Commission and Dutch ministries.

You are a recognised expert in agricultural economics who can translate complex policy challenges into rigorous research programmes, lead multidisciplinary teams, and communicate findings clearly to decision-makers. You bring deep knowledge of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and a proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior policy stakeholders. Strong quantitative expertise and familiarity with partial equilibrium modelling (e.g. AGMEMOD) and its use for policy analysis will be essential.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Build trusted relationships with policy stakeholders to gain deep insight into their challenges and analytical needs, driving the acquisition of new research projects.
• Lead the design of complex, multidisciplinary research initiatives, working with clients and research partners to define strategic policy questions, shape analytical strategies, and align organizational research strengths with client needs to generate high-impact findings.
• Lead project teams in delivering high-quality research outputs, applying advanced quantitative methods and bio-economic modelling, including AGMEMOD, to generate policy-relevant insights, while ensuring timely and budget-conscious project delivery.
• Engage with clients on the interpretation of research findings and their strategic and policy implications, supporting evidence-based decision-making and capacity building.
• Contribute to WSER's strategic development strengthening market relevance and business growth while inspiring and supporting junior researchers, building policy-oriented research skills within the International Policy team.

Your team

You will join WSER’s International Policy expertise group, a team of 26 highly motivated professionals from a wide range of nationalities working on high-impact policy studies for the Dutch government, the European Commission, and other public international institutions and governments. At WUR, you will be part of a vibrant and diverse international research environment, collaborating with leading experts from around the world. Together, we contribute to solutions for pressing global challenges including food security, climate change, economic sustainability, circularity, biodiversity, nutrition, and health. The team is based across WSER’s offices in The Hague and Wageningen.

Your qualities

We are looking for an inspirational researcher with a taste for quality, impact, and team orientation.

You also possess:

• An MSc or PhD (preferred) in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in applied quantitative bio-economic research and modelling. Familiarity withpartial equilibrium models and other advanced analytical approaches. A proven track record of leading multidisciplinary research projects and translating complex evidence into policy-relevant insights.
• Strong knowledge of the EU agricultural sector, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), combined with a solid understanding of policymaking processes within the European Commission. Familiarity with the opportunities and challenges facing the Netherlands agricultural sector is a distinct advantage.
• Substantial experience engaging with EU CAP policymakers. A well-developed network within the European agricultural policy landscape and a track record of fund raising are desirable.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to inspire colleagues, build lasting partnerships, and communicate effectively in English (C1 level or equivalent). Proficiency in Dutch is a strong advantage.
• You will be based in our office in either Wageningen or The Hague. Working from home is possible to a limited extent.

We offer

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;
• 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 year-end 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 € 4,938.- and € 7,337.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 12). Additionally, for this role a contract for 32 to 36 hours hours can be discussed. We initially offer a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the organisation’s financial situation.

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.

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.

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. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

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 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.

Important information

For more information about the position, please contact Rob Swinkels, Teamleader International Policy Expertise Group, via email: rob.swinkels@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Edgar Tijhuis, Corporate Recruiter, via email: edgar.tijhuis@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?

Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply up to and including September 28Th, 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before September 1st, 2026.

Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.

Procedure

As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.

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.

We are

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.