Integrated PhD fellowship in sustainable food systems Full-time

Integrated PhD Fellowship In Sustainable Food Systems

The Centre for Remote Sensing and Deep Learning of Global Tree Resources (TreeSense) invites applicants for an integrated PhD fellowship in sustainable food systems.

Start date is (expected to be) 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

At TreeSense, we use remote sensing and machine learning to develop new means to characterize and quantify global woody vegetation dynamics, both inside and outside of forests. Also, we aim to identify the drivers and outcomes of these changes. The PhD student will focus on the socio-economic outcomes of changes in woody resources. In particular, the PhD student will link the mapping of changes in woody resources to local people's livelihoods and food security. The PhD student will also work with local collaborators in selected sites to co-produce relevant stakeholder tools.

We value diversity and inclusivity in our research community. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences who share our commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through innovative research.

We are looking for candidates with a bachelor within the field(s) of environmental sciences, agroecology, agronomy, geography, land system science, or a related field.

The PhD student will be based within the Section for Geography at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN), University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The PhD student will be part of TreeSense, the Land Use, Earth Observation and Sustainability research group: LUES Research group, and the Livelihood, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Deforestation (LAND) lab: LAND lab.

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes:

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc 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:

• Experience with quasi-experimental methods
• Experience with R or Phyton
• Experience with food consumption surveys and nutrition indicators
• Experience with poverty surveys
• Other relevant professional activities
• 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:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Original diplomas for Bachelor 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.

Application deadline: The deadline for applications is 5 August 2026, 23:59 GMT +2.

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.

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.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in late August.