PhD fellowship in sustainable cropping systems

The department of Plant and Environmental Sciences invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in faba bean/cereal intercropping. The project is part of the research centre “N2CROP”, which is a centre for legume innovation funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The centre is a partnership between Aarhus University, the Technical University of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and La Trobe University

Start date is (expected to be) 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

Intercropping is considered a potential more sustainable cropping system reducing fertilizer and pesticide inputs. Despite the well-known effects of intercropping there is still a knowledge gap considering belowground interactions. The project will focus on intercropping of faba bean and cereals, and the potential benefits of the fun mutant (fixation under nitrate). Above- as well as belowground complementarity and competition between crops will be examined with focus on nitrogen dynamics. The project will also focus on biological nitrogen fixation, transfer of nitrogen between species and effect of specific rhizobium strains on fixation. Experiments will be conducted in field trials and in rhizotubes, and the field experiments will be done in close collaboration with SLU in Uppsala where similar experiments will be carried out. Results from the experiments will feed into development of an intercropping crop modelling part.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of agronomy, biology and/or root science. Applicants can have a background with specific knowledge on root development and function, grain legume production, intercropping, crop competition and biological nitrogen fixation. Experience with greenhouse and/or field studies in combination with one or more of the abovementioned topics is an advantage.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

The PhD position is placed in the Belowground Crop Ecology research group headed by Associate professor Dorte Bodin Dresbøll. Focus of the research group is on resilient and sustainable cropping systems with special emphasis on belowground interactions, root development and function. We are working with grain legumes, forage legumes and cereals for food and feed. Main topics of the group are drought tolerance, nutrient acquisition and root exudation.

The group is a part of the Agricultural Section of Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located at the Taastrup Campus outside Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include field and greenhouse facilities, modern laboratories and specialized root research facilities.

Principal supervisor is Associate professor Dorte Bodin Dresbøll, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, dbdr@plen.ku.dk , +4535333452

The PhD programme

Qualifications

Qualifications needed for the regular programme

To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. [relevant educations]. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database .

Terms of employment in the regular programme

Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the SCIENCE faculty, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

You can read more about salary levels in the state sector www.loenoverblik.dk (in Danish).

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE

• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad

• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities

• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals

• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project

• Relevant publications

• Relevant work experience

• Other relevant professional activities

• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in agronomy and specifically grain legumes, root physiology, and intercropping systems

• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Motivated letter for applying for the specific PhD project (max. one page)

• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

• Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.

• Publication list (if possible)

• Reference letters (if available)

Application

Application deadline

The deadline for applications is  1 November 2027, 23:59 GMT +1 .

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process

After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above-mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 47.

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

Materials send directly to the principal supervisor will not be considered.

[General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/ ] .

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.