PhD position on reverse engineering Milk Fat Globules

As a PhD candidate, you will join a unique project aiming to deep-dive into the milk fat globule structure and the emerging properties at all scales. Your results will help to fundamentally understand the role of milk fat globules in the structure and taste of foods, and also assist in their replacement with healthy and sustainable plant-based counterparts.

Your duties and responsibilities include (max 5):

• Use nano-mechanical and -chemical mapping to unravel the structure-function properties of single milk fat globules and plant lipid droplets
• Use super-resolution microscopy to investigate the molecular arrangement on the surface of milk fat globules and plant lipid droplets
• Develop chemical analytical tools (NMR, HPLC) to track the molecular compounds present in milk fat globules and plant lipid droplets
• Development of surface rheology protocols to investigate the mechanical properties of milk fat and plant lipid droplet interfaces
• Apply microfluidics to formulate, track, and analyse milk fat globule mimics in a controlled manner

You will work here
The research is part of the HARMOny project, which is carried out between Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and TU Delft. This particular PhD position will be embedded fully at WUR within the chairs Biobased Chemistry and Technology (https://www.wur.nl/nl/onderzoek-resultaten/leerstoelgroepen/agrotechnologie-en-voedselwetenschappen/biobased-chemistry-technology.htm), and Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter (https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/chair-groups/agrotechnology-and-food-sciences/biomolecular-sciences/physical-chemistry-and-soft-matter.htm). You will become a member of the Biobased Soft Matter team, which is led by Assoc. Prof. Costas Nikiforidis. You will be co-supervised by Assist. Prof. Siddharth Deshpande (EmBioSys Lab) and Assoc. Prof. Francesco Simone Ruggeri.

You will also collaborate with a PhD student working at TU Delft, who will use molecular modelling to simulate the milk fat globules and plant lipid droplets and guide the experimental work.

Medewerker Service Point (tweetaligeheid test)

As a Service Point Officer at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), you are the first point of contact for students, staff, and visitors seeking assistance or information. You ensure professional, friendly, and efficient service delivery. You welcome visitors, respond to inquiries by phone, email, or in person, handle requests, and ensure proper follow-up within the service chain.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Welcome and assist visitors at the Service Point, providing information or referrals where necessary.
• Respond to questions via phone, email, chat, or at the counter regarding facility, IT, or administrative services.
• Register, prioritize, and process service requests and incidents; escalate complex issues to the appropriate specialist.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in the service or ticketing system.
• Identify recurring questions or issues and propose improvements to enhance service quality.
• Maintain a professional, service-oriented appearance and contribute to a positive and safe working environment.
• Support the onboarding and training of new colleagues or student assistants.
• (Optional) Contribute to small-scale projects or communication activities related to the Service Point.

Medewerker Service Point (NL)

unctieomschrijving:
Als Medewerker Service Point bij WUR ben je hét eerste aanspreekpunt voor studenten, medewerkers en externe bezoekers die hulp of informatie zoeken. Je draagt zorg voor een klantvriendelijke, professionele en efficiënte dienstverlening. Je ontvangt bezoekers, beantwoordt vragen schriftelijk of telefonisch, handelt meldingen en verzoeken af, en zorgt voor een perfecte opvolging binnen de serviceketen. Je werkt nauw samen met collega’s van diverse interne dienstverleningsunits, en je bent mede verantwoordelijk voor het bewaken van de kwaliteit van het Service Point en de doorlooptijden.

Kerntaken en verantwoordelijkheden:

• Ontvangen van bezoekers aan het Service Point – welkom heten, informatie geven, doorverwijzen.
• Beantwoorden van vragen via telefoon, e-mail, chat of balie betreffende facilitaire, IT- of administratieve diensten.
• Registreren, triage en afhandeling van meldingen of verzoeken; indien nodig escaleren naar de juiste specialist.
• Invoeren en bijhouden van gegevens in het ticket- of service-systeem; zorgen voor correcte documentatie en rapportage.
• Signaleren van terugkerende vragen of knelpunten en voorstellen doen voor verbetering van de dienstverlening.
• Onderhouden van een klantgerichte en representatieve uitstraling; bijdragen aan een uitnodigende en veilige werkomgeving.
• Bijdragen aan de opleiding/instructie van nieuwe collega’s of studenten die dienst doen bij het Service Point.
• Eventueel: mede zorgdragen voor voorbereiding en uitvoering van kleine projecten of communicatie-activiteiten rond het Service Point.

PhD student: Institutional Approaches to Managing Public Space (testvacature)

Dit is de Nederlandse tekst van de vacature Institutional approaches bla bla

PhD student: Institutional Approaches to Managing Public Space

Are you intrigued by how our streets, parks, squares and landscapes are managed—and how institutions shape those spaces? Do you want to explore new governance solutions that ensure public spaces are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable? Then you might be the ideal PhD candidate to join our interdisciplinary team at Wageningen University & Research!

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD researcher to investigate the institutional dimensions of managing public space — a crucial but often overlooked area in urban and regional development. While much attention goes to the design and planning of public spaces, their long-term management is just as important. Most of a public space’s life happens after it's built—and the quality of that life depends heavily on how it is governed.

This PhD project will explore how institutions — formal rules, informal norms, and governance mechanisms — can better support the maintenance, adaptation, and transformation of public space. You’ll study how these institutional arrangements influence public space outcomes such as accessibility, safety, social value, and sustainability. Key questions include:

• How can governance structures better coordinate the multiple actors involved in managing public space?
• How can they adapt to dynamic societal needs and increasing spatial interdependencies?
• What institutional models promote more efficient, equitable and resilient management?

Your work will combine theoretical analysis with real-world case studies to identify promising institutional approaches. You’ll evaluate current governance mechanisms, financial instruments, and participatory practices—and contribute to actionable strategies for improving how public spaces are managed in complex and changing environments.

Ready to challenge existing paradigms and shape the future of public space governance? We’d love to hear from you!.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Publishing a PhD thesis based on the project work.
• Teaching (10% of time) through contributions to the group’s courses in WUR’s teaching programs.
• Organisation of, and participating in, events and feedback sessions with the foundation Managing Public Space

You will work here
The research is embedded within two complementary research groups: the Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning group. The Land Use Planning chair group (LUP) focuses on the planning of sustainable landscapes that address urgent environmental issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. We aim to understand the interactions within social-physical systems, considering land uses and diverse stakeholders. The chair group has a young and dynamic team with many other PhD candidates to connect to. We provide an inclusive and diverse working environment. You will be co-supervised by dr. ir. Arjan Hijdra, dr. Barbara Tempels and prof. Martha Bakker.