About VLAG
VLAG Graduate School is one of six Graduate Schools at Wageningen University that host the Wageningen University PhD programme. As such, VLAG provides a framework for doctoral education and research training. It supports the development of independent scientists able to perform excellent science for impact.
VLAG Strategy
We provide an extensive portfolio of post-graduate level scientific courses. Together with the other five Graduate Schools, we organize a comprehensive package of training activities to enhance professional skills and competences of PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and their supervisors.
Moreover, to support our academic community, spark crosspollination of knowledge and expertise, and catalyse new collaboration, we have the following instruments at hand:
- VLAG Open Rounds to fund PhD and postdoctoral research projects to explore new research leads.
- VLAG Research Fellowships programme to promote the quality of scientific research and strengthen international collaborations.
- WGS Talent programmes, including Sandwich PhD Programme and Postdoc Programme.
Governance
Scientific Director
The Scientific Director leads the VLAG office, shaping and carrying out the School’s plans, policy and activities. The Scientific Director represents VLAG within Wageningen University and beyond, and takes part in several WUR committees and councils, including the AFSG Management Team.
Current Scientific Director: Professor Dr Louis de Smet
Scientific Director
The Scientific Director leads the VLAG office, shaping and carrying out the School’s plans, policy and activities. The Scientific Director represents VLAG within Wageningen University and beyond, and takes part in several WUR committees and councils, including the AFSG Management Team.
Current Scientific Director: Professor Dr Louis de Smet
Board
The VLAG Board is the decision-making authority. This includes nominating the Scientific Director and approving the long-term strategy and planning.
VLAG Board members are:
- Chair: Prof. Dr Maria Suarez Diez, Systems and Synthetic Biology (WU)
- Prof. Dr Ellen Kampman, Nutrition and Disease (WU)
- Dr Thomas Kodger, Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter (WU)
- Dr Nicole Koenderink, Wageningen Food & Biobased Research
- Dr Yue Liu, Food Microbiology (WU)
- Prof.Dr. Kasper Hettinga, Food Quality and Design (WU)
- Prof. Dr Aldrik Velders, BioNanoTechnology (WU)
- Teun Prinsen MSc, PhD candidate, Organic Chemistry (WU)
IAB
The International Advisory Board (IAB) provides VLAG with advice and recommendations on strategic issues concerning the direction and quality of the research and educational programme and helps to identify opportunities for academic and professional alliances.
VLAG IAB members are:
- Prof. Dr Rabah Boukherroub, Materials Chemistry& Nanotechnology, University Lille1, France
- Prof. Dr Milena Corredig, Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Prof. Dr Pascale Daran-Lapujade, Industrial Microbiology, Delft University of Technology
- Prof. Dr Saskia Lindhoud, Molecules and Materials, University of Twente
- Prof. Dr Christophe Matthys, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Belgium
- Prof. Dr Karin Schwarz, Food Technology, University of Kiel, Germany
PhD council
The VLAG PhD council is a participatory body representing PhD candidates and deals with issues related to the position of the PhD candidates.
Contact: VLAGPhDCouncil@wur.nl
VLAG Office
VLAG Office is responsible for the organization of the educational programme for early-stage researchers (PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers) and the development and execution of policies and procedures related to the VLAG PhD programme. To get in touch with VLAG contact VLAG office (vlag@wur.nl).
PhD candidates who face problems during their PhD programme can contact VLAG PhD advisors for confidential advice.
The VLAG Research Themes
VLAG Graduate School consists of researchers from twenty-two Wageningen University (WU) chair groups and two major institutes for applied research (WR). Since 2018, all research within VLAG Graduate School is streamlined within four Research Themes that combine the strengths and expertise of the participating chair groups as listed below:
Postal address
VLAG Graduate School
Wageningen UR Courier nr. 184
P.O. Box 17
6700 AA Wageningen
The Netherlands
LinkedIn: VLAG Graduate School
Visiting address
VLAG Offices: X0107 and X0108, Axis X, WUR building 118
Bornse Weilanden 9
6708 WG Wageningen
The Netherlands
