PhD Position, Plant Production Systems in “JARAK”

Starting date: ASAP after recruitment latest 1st August 2010.

Title PhD Project: Growth, development and production of Jatropha curcas in Indonesia.

“JARAK: the commoditization of an alternative biofuel crop in Indonesia”. The program comprises research on policy, legislation, technical crop qualities and production possibilities, and socio-economic impact of Jatropha cultivation in Indonesia and is part of a broader research program funded by NWO and KNAW on “Agriculture beyond Food”.

Tasks

* To engage in supervised scientific research that will ultimately result in a doctoral thesis;
* To carry out a systematic literature analysis related to the relevant PhD;
* To conduct field research in Indonesia;
* To prepare and submit research output for publication in peer-reviewed international scientific journals;
* To participate in the C.T. de Wit Graduate school in Wageningen.

Requirements

* Master degree in plant sciences, with demonstrated interest in statistics, agro-climatics;
* Excellent writing and presentation skills in English (minimal score see below);
* Demonstrated research experience
* Ability and willingness to carry out field research for extended periods in Indonesia;
* Willingness to stay in the Netherlands for desk study and writing.
* Openness towards interdisciplinary research methods and approaches;
* Ability to work in a team.
* Full time availability for four years because the thesis should be finished and defended at the end of the cluster period December 2014.
* Indonesian nationality

Appointment

The successful applicant will be awarded a research fellowship under NUFFIC conditions for 4 years, with continuation dependent upon an evaluation after 12 months The fellowship consists of a 6 month period in Wageningen at the start of the project, followed by an extended period of field work and a final period to write papers and submit the thesis in Wageningen. Details of the stipend and terms of the fellowship can be obtained on demand.

Application and Selection procedure

Applicants should submit an application by April 20th 2010. Applications should be sent to jarakphd3@gmail.com addressed to Dr Maja Slingerland and Dr Sony Suharsono (sony.suharsono@yahoo.com ) with the subject: “Application JARAK PhD position Indonesia”. Three selected candidates will be invited for interviews in April 2010. Final selection first week of May. Starting in the Netherlands: August 1st 2010.
In order to apply, the applicant must submit the following:

* An up-to-date curriculum vitae;
* the MA thesis or other major writing sample;
* an academic transcript;
* name and contact details of two referees;
* a short research proposal of up to three pages, including a letter of motivation.


More information on the the JARAK program can be obtained from Dr. Jacqueline Vel: J.A.C.Vel@law.leidenuniv.nl . More information about this specific PhD project can be obtained by maja.slingerland@xs4all.nl or sony.suharsono@yahoo.com .

More information PhD trajectories at Wageningen University

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