Research Intern - Plant Database Development for Agroforestry Systems
Wageningen,
Netherlands
Submit your application by 15th of April 2026
FarmTree is a start-up service provider specialising in forecasting the impact of diverse agricultural systems through our in-house developed tool and model, the FarmTree Tool. This tool has been used to project land use performance and conduct ex-ante impact assessments for multiple world-renowned organisations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. These projections support farmers and their partners in making informed, sustainable land-use decisions.
The FarmTree Tool is a online model that can forecast economic, environmental and social impact of agricultural scenarios. Some indicators calculated by the tool includes yields, revenues, costs, labour, water and nutrient balances, carbon sequestration, and more. By combining site-specific soil and climate data with tree and crop characteristics and farm-level information, the tool creates a "Plot Scenario" that projects long-term performance. These projections help compare current conventional farming practices with alternative investment options, such as agroforestry systems.
Through this, FarmTree contributes to the realisation of Sustainable Development Goals i.e., no poverty, biodiversity, climate action, and gender equity.
The position:
Join our passionate team of fewer than 10 professionals working on restoration projects worldwide. As a Research Intern, you'll play a crucial role in expanding our plant database that supports the FarmTree Tool, our flagship product for calculating agroforestry system projections.
This internship is ideal for students interested in applied biology or sustainable agriculture fields who want to see their research translated into real-world conservation impact.
What we offer:
- Direct impact on global restoration projects
- Hands-on experience with the FarmTree Tool and agroforestry systems
- Mentorship from experienced professionals in a close-knit team environment
- Opportunity to shape your research focus while contributing to meaningful environmental work
Your main responsibilities:
- Research and compile comprehensive information on plant species groups of your choice (aligned with project needs)
- Calibrate our species model with peer-reviewed literature or data collected during our projects
- Contribute to our scientific database which helps restoration projects across the globe to secure approvals, financing, and carbon certification
What you'll experience:
Beyond your core research focus, you'll gain
real workplace experience through client meetings, internal strategy sessions,
and cross-functional collaboration. Your work will be essential to our mission
of creating scientifically grounded restoration solutions
Must Have
- Student of MSc or BSc in agronomy, forestry, or comparable
- Knowledge or experience on cropping system, forestry or agroforestry systems
- Basic knowledge on modelling (i.e., you have used a model before) or other quantitative methods
- Regular presence in our Wageningen office (3-4 days a week)
- Fluent in oral and written English
Nice to have
- Experience on how to retrieve data and/or access to soil, climate, plant etc databases
- Experience of (plant) databases, data collection & data analysis
- Experience on calibration process and statistical indicators (e.g., R-squared)
What We Offer
At FarmTree you will be warmly welcomed in an enthusiastic, diverse and fast-growing international team.
Our job offer includes the following:
Business for development
Capture knowledge for practical use
Personal growth
We welcome co-enterpreneurs
Team
Bring ideas, we love it!
Network
Companies, organisations, knowledge institutes
