PhD fellowship in plant-soil interactions Full-time

PhD Fellowship In Quantifying Multi-Species Benefits Of Ley Mixtures

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN) at University of Copenhagen invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in quantifying multi-species benefits of ley mixtures in relation to plant root growth, potential stabilisation of soil organic matter, and soil biota. The project is part of the research project “Grassy – Can diversity deliver 'climate-smart' grassland systems?”, financed by the Independent Research Fund Denmark.

The preferred start date is (expected to be) 1 April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

The overarching project aim is to unravel the mechanisms that govern how mixtures of grasses, legumes and forbs can deliver more resilient, biodiverse, and carbon (C)-rich grassland (ley) systems. Part of the work will revolve around a field trial in the state-of-the-art 'DeepRootLab' at the crop sciences section of the department. Objectives will involve (amongst others) quantifying plant productivity, root growth, C/N in soil organic matter (SOM) fractions, and assessing soil biodiversity – particularly earthworms. As part of this, activities will include the use of isotopic labelling techniques, sampling and imaging of roots, soil, and earthworm casts, soil analyses and fractionation, and plant growth experiments in both field and controlled (glasshouse) conditions.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the fields of plant science, soil science, agronomy, agroecology, soil biology, or a closely related field, with interest in fundamental and applied aspects of crop ecology and soil science. We are seeking a motivated and ambitious individual with good interpersonal and communication skills, and very good spoken and writing English level. We encourage applications from candidates with a mix of the following or closely related competences:

• strong knowledge and interest in plant-soil interactions, including root growth and root traits and understanding of soil (bio)geochemical processes, with special emphasis on soil organic matter dynamics and rhizosphere processes
• experimental experience in crop field studies and/or plant growth in controlled conditions, including plant and soil sampling and analyses, use of isotopes, root imaging.
• ability to translate theoretical scientific questions into practical experiments and measurements
• ability to analyse and interpret complex data.
• ability to work independently and take initiative, good hands-on problem-solving skills, and the capacity to acquire new skills.

We know that research shows that women and other underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. If you are excited about this position and believe you can contribute, we strongly encourage you to apply, even if your experience does not perfectly match every point. We value curiosity, motivation, and the potential and willingness to learn.

Our group and research – and what do we offer?

The successful candidate will be anchored in the Belowground Crop Ecology group in the Crop Sciences section within the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located at the KU Taastrup campus. Our research group focuses on interactions belowground between roots and the surrounding environment, contributing to the development of resilient cropping systems with efficient resource use. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories, growth facilities (greenhouses, climate chambers), and specialized infrastructure to investigate plant roots and their interactions. Being part of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences and faculty of Science, we also have access to state of the art instruments and a wealth of methods relevant to plant-soil interactions.

The PhD project involves collaboration among the University of Copenhagen, the Technische Universität Berlin (TUB), and Wageningen University (WUR). The project supervisor at the University of Copenhagen is tenure-track assistant professor Frederik van der Bom, Department of Plant and Environmental Science.

1. Principal supervisor is associate Professor Dorte Bodin Dresbøll. Dr Alix Vidal (WUR) will be the daily project supervisor during research visits to WUR.

The PhD programme

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. plant science, soil science, or agroecology. 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 Faculty of SCIENCE, 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.

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 other research institutions (WUR/TUB)
• 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 the development of sustainable crop systems that are resource-use efficient, biodiversity-friendly and promote important ecosystem services
• Proficiency in spoken and written English, including skills in academic writing are essential. Your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level.

Application and Assessment Procedure

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

Please include:

1. Cover letter/motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. A short reflection on your research interests, experience, and how the project aims can be approached (max. one page)
3. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
4. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science 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.
5. Publication list (if possible)
6. Contact information for two referees (to contact upon request)

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 8 February 2026, 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 and will conclude whether each applicant is qualified. 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 8-10, 2026.

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact tenure-track assistant professor Frederik van der Bom (fvdb@plen.ku.dk). This email address is provided exclusively for questions about the position. Applications, CVs, or any other unsolicited materials will not be reviewed and will be permanently deleted without being opened, in compliance with applicable data protection regulations. All applications must be submitted through the official application portal as specified in the job advertisement.

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

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