Vacancy: PhD Candidate - Project Plant-Z
Project Title:
PLANT-Z: How to shift Generation Z towards more plant-based dietary patterns?
Start Date:
January 1, 2026
Duration:
4 years (1 + 3; the contract will be extended by 3 years after a positive evaluation following the first year)
Research project
The transition to more healthy and sustainable plant-based diets is urgently needed to tackle both health and environmental challenges. An important population growing up in the face of climate change is Generation-Z. These youngsters, today in their adolescence, may play a crucial role in the societal transition towards more sustainable plant-based diets. Although interventions focusing on both health and sustainability may be more powerful than those focusing on health alone, knowledge hereon is limited. Using mixed methods and co-creation, we will collect pioneering data on healthy and sustainable plant-based dietary patterns in adolescents (14–18 years), including those with lower socio-economic backgrounds. We will investigate how they can be motivated to shift towards more healthy and sustainable plant-based diets by increasing our understanding of the capabilities, opportunities, knowledge, perceptions, facilitators and barriers to eat healthy and sustainable plant-based foods. Also, intervention settings for the promotion of healthy and sustainable plant-based diets will be determined, together with the target group. Finally, we will develop and pilot-test a cocreated intervention. This project will enrich the knowledge base and deliver a ready-to-use intervention aimed at shifting Generation-Z towards more healthy and sustainable plant-based diets, taking different socio-economic backgrounds into account.
How to apply
Applicants for this vacancy should submit the following documents, merged into a single structured PDF file, via email to Tom Deliens (Tom.Deliens@vub.be) and Wendy Van Lippevelde (Wendy.VanLippevelde@ugent.be), no later than Friday, August 8, 2025:
A motivation letter, clearly describing how the candidate’s education, skills, and interests match the profile of the position.
A curriculum vitae (CV).
Transcripts of records for all years of higher education.
You will receive a confirmation upon successful receipt of your application.
After the selection of the written applications, a number of candidates will be invited for an interview and participation in a few specific tests, which will take place on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Please make sure to keep this date available.
For questions or more information, feel free to contact Tom.Deliens@vub.be or Wendy.VanLippevelde@ugent.be.
More information can also be found via: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4248202918