Your job
We are looking for three PhD Researchers in the SOWAMA project in Uganda.
Are you fascinated by transdisciplinary research and innovative inclusive approaches to explore complex social-ecological systems in challenging environments? Are you fascinated by the governance and management of complex social-ecological systems in multifunctional tropical landscapes and inspired to shape the next generation of inclusive participatory approaches for co-developing resilient landscapes? Do you speak Swahili and do you have working experience in the rural East-African context? If so, we have an exciting PhD opportunity for you!
This PhD position at Wageningen University offers the opportunity to contribute to both methodological innovation and empirical research in the field of experiential learning to address social and institutional challenges in integrated soil and water management in rural landscapes in Uganda.
The SOWAMA project (Taking integrated SOil and WAter MAnagement to scale by addressing social and institutional challenges through experiential learning games), a project within the NL-CGIAR Research Programme II – WFN call, is looking for three highly motivated PhD candidates to contribute to this project. The SOWAMA project focusses on addressing the challenges faced by Ugandan farmers in maintaining agricultural productivity under rainfed conditions and climate variability through the scaling of Integrated Soil and Water Management (ISWM). In the face of climate change, Integrated Soil and Water Management (ISWM) can maintain and increase agricultural productivity in rainfed agri-food systems. The transdisciplinary SOWAMA project will assess and address instrumental and relational values and institutions affecting ISWM decision-making processes in Uganda. For this, it will facilitate the co-development of socio-technical innovation bundles (STIBs) addressing bottlenecks, develop experiential learning games to address drivers of implementation, strengthen governance and support innovation bundles.
The project responds to demand expressed by government and civil society partners to develop their capacity in implementing innovative approaches to expand ISWM implementation at large scale and is organized around the three connected content focused Work Packages (WP), namely,
WP1: Understanding socio-economic and governance barriers and co-developing socio-technical,
WP2: Co-designing and scaling experiential learning game interventions,
WP3: Assessing the interplay of instrumental and relational perspectives of ISWM adoption.
The positions are embedded in a strong international and interdisciplinary research environment. The PhD candidates will collaborate closely with each other and with all (international) partners within the SOWAMA project, while having a specific focus that directly contributes to one of the three Work Packages (WP) of the project. This provides an excellent setting for both fundamental and applied research, with opportunities to contribute to high-impact publications, as well as to local impact.
Specific research objectives
- Assessing farmers’ and enabling-system actors’ perceptions and awareness of the spatial and temporal costs and benefits of ISWM practices.
- Examining contextual opportunities and constraints affecting implementation.
- Identifying motivation and agency barriers to individual and collective adoption.
- Co-developing socio-technical innovation bundles (STIBs) to address implementation bottlenecks.
- Co-designing experiential learning interventions that strengthen adoption drivers and governance mechanisms and support STIB implementation.
- Contributing to global public goods through capacity sharing, research synthesis, and outreach.
Where you will work
All three positions will be built around the scientific collaboration between Wageningen University and Kyambogo University (Kampala, Uganda) within the SOWAMA project with the PhD candidates spending time at both universities. During the 4 year PhD period, the candidates will spend twice a period of maximum 9 months in Wageningen, the Netherlands (in year 1 and year 4), and in between a period of 30 months in Uganda. All three positions are set to start in September 2026.
At WUR, the research is hosted within the Laboratory for Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing (GRS) and will be supervised by Dr. Erika Speelman. This PhD position is a part of PE&RC, a collaborative research and PhD training institute coordinated by Wageningen University (WU). The central focus of the collaboration is the PhD programme, embedded in a coherent and productive research environment that aims to conduct academic research of the highest quality. For more information, click here. At Kyambogo University, the research will be hosted a one of the University’s departments and will be supervised i.a. by Dr. Peter Simon Musinguzi.
Your qualities
We are looking for a critical thinker who can combine innovative concepts with rigorous experimental skills, including qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, and well-developed interpersonal skills.
In addition, you must have:
- A completed MSc degree in Tropical Agronomy/Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Resilience & Sustainability science, Rural Sociology, Economics, or a related field.
- Understanding of and a willingness to deepen knowledge on empirical social science methods and qualitative and quantitative analysis.
- A strong interest in an academic career.
- Strong affinity and working experience within the rural East-African context, preferably in the Ugandan context, as you’ll be working closely with local stakeholders.
- Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to work independently in a structured way towards larger goals.
- Knowledge and oral command of one or several of the following languages would be an asset:
- Runyakitara;
- Luganda;
- Kupsabiny.
- Willingness to work under challenging conditions in remote research locations for extended periods of time.
- A high level of ethical integrity and a strong respect for all people regardless of gender, origin, education, age, or other characteristics.
For these positions, your command of the English language is expected to be at the C1 level. It might be necessary to submit an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language if your MSc degree was not taught in English. More information can be found here.
We offer
During the 4-year PhD period, the candidates will spend twice a period of maximum 9 months in Wageningen, the Netherlands (in year 1 and year 4), and in between a period of 30 months in Uganda.
For the 18 months in Wageningen, Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The salary will be 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. WUR offers a temporary contract twice for 9 months.
In between those 9 months, you will receive a contract for 30 months from the Kyambogo University, and the salary will be based on local scholarship standards.
After 12-18 months there will be an evaluation to determine continuation of the project.
Further details will be discussed in the interviews.
This position is part of a joint project between WUR and Kyambogo University, and the two organisations have agreed on the intended phasing of the four-year research programme. However, the intended phasing of the employment arrangement does not constitute a guarantee of future employment. Any appointment with Kyambogo University will be considered and offered separately in accordance with its applicable procedures and terms of employment.
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 for a part of the project, our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures.
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.
Important information
For more information about the position, please contact Dr. Erika Speelman, Associate Professor, email: Erika.speelman@wur.nl
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema, Corporate Recruiter, via jessa.rozema-stol@wur.nl
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):
- Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae; incl. title of degrees and thesis (max 2 pages)
- Motivation letter incl a motivated preference for one of the PhD/WP foci. (max 1 pages)
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.
As part of the selection process, we may ask shortlisted candidates to prepare a short research proposal (up to 3 pages) at a later stage. This is not needed for your initial application.
You can apply up to and including 17 July 2026.
Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.
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: Inclusive Approaches for Soil & Water Management in Uganda (3 positions) – 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.
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.
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We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.
