PhD Economic Analysis of Innovations in Dairy Production Chain
Wageningen University and Research centre Animal Breeding and Genetics
Group and Business Economics Group of Wageningen
Wageningen, 6709 PG (Gelderland), 40 hours per week

Job description

Use of genomic information to improve milk quality through breedingand for dairy product innovation (specialized milk, specialized dairyproducts and production of dairy components with proven health effectsfor incorporation in functional foods) are two key issues that willdrive change in dairying in the coming decades. The opportunities toselect animals bring challenges for the primary producers and thedairy industry: how to organise the chain, what are the requiredinvestments and what are the economic consequences and related risks.More specifically, the objectives of the project are:

1. to (shortly) review the opportunities and their (technical) implications to change the primary production to produce different types of milk,
2. to quantify the technical and economic consequences of the various alternatives at the farm level,
3. to evaluate the consequences for the other partners of the chain, and
4. to specifically address the issue of the economic risks associated with different scenarios. The project connects to the ongoing Milk Genomics project, which involves various research groups as well as the dairy industry. The PhD project should result in a successful defence of a PhD dissertation.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University GraduateThe candidate has completed an academic study in (agricultural)economics and is familiar with modelling techniques. He or she has akeen interest in food supply chains and has good communication skillsin English (written and spoken). We are looking for a creative anddevoted researcher, motivated to travel and to spend part of theresearch time abroad. Knowledge of dairy cattle production is arecommendation.

Workfield(s)
Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientificdiscipline: Agriculture)

Organization
Wageningen University and Research centre Animal Breeding and GeneticsGroup and Business Economics Group of Wageningen University

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2000 - 2500
Maximum salary amount in Euro`s a month 2472
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 years
Maximum hours per week: 40
Additional conditions of employment:
Salary is at minimum gross salary 1.933,= per month and the maximumgross salary is € 2.472,= Euro. Employment basis: temporary forspecified period. Duration of the contract: 1 year. Maximum hours perweek: 40. After a positive assessment the appointment will becontinued by another 36 months

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
prof.dr. J.A.M. van Arendonk
Telephone number: 31 317 482335
E-mail address: Johan.vanArendonk@wur.nl

Or dr. Miranda Meuwissen
Telephone number: 31 317 483857
E-mail address: Miranda.Meuwissen@wur.nl
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:
About the function (http://www.abg.wur.nl)

Application
You can apply for this job before 28-10-2006 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sendingyour application to:

Wageningen Universiteit, departement Dierwetenschappen
Marijkeweg 40, 6709 PA Wageningen
S.P. van Ee
Postbus 338
6700 AH Wageningen
E-mail: sandra.vanee@wur.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT DIE 2006-07.