PhD fellowship in sustainable cropping systems Full-time

PhD Fellowship In Faba Bean/Cereal Intercropping

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically.

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)

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.

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 week 47.